Going Mad!!!

Well old age has finally caught up with me and I have spent the best part of the day thinking it was Saturday today......duh!!!
Anyway whatever day it was......Thursday....I think...lol.....it hasn't been a bad old day. Most of it was pain free which was awesome after nearly eight weeks of constant pain. I got a few jobs done and made a card. Couldn't take a pic as I need some new batteries which I'll pick up tomorrow.

Mr Manic collected his van today and he's like a dog with two flippin' tails........honestly boys and their toys eh? Must admit it is rather nice though......a VW Caddy. It will definitely come in handy when DS and family move in just under a fortnight.

Tonight I have the urge to do some knitting......heaven knows why as I am the worst knitter on the planet......lol. So I am off to search out my knitting bag and see what wool there is. I should really be finishing my crotcheted table mats but I'm not in the mood for that.

Tara for now.
Sheila-x-

Craft Free Days!!!

The last three days have been a dead loss on the crafting front I'm afraid. With Ruby not leaving until quite late in the evening I am too tired by the time she goes home to start anything so I've been doing a bit of tidying up.
My back is still not better....although the pain has moved now into my right hip and leg. It's really getting me down and I am turning into a right snappy old besom. Mr Manic and DD are tending to keep out of my way most of the time for fear of losing their heads to my snapping jaws....lol!!!
Tomorrow is going to be a big crafting day and it will be a chippy tea as I'm not coming down until I have had enough.
Sorry for the lack of picture posts lately.
Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Twisted Magnolia!!!

I have been wanting to try one of these Twisted Easel cards for a while now but with one thing and another I haven't had time. Yesterday I made time and here is the result. I have to say that I am rather pleased with it.
I've used random papers from my 6x6 box. I think the script may be 7 Gypsies and the spot K & Co but not too sure on that.
Anyhoo....the script has been Distress Inked. The paper lace border is a strip of white copier paper punched with a Martha Stewart and put through a paper crimper. The stamped image is coloured with ProMarkers and then Distress Inked.

I have to go and play at domestic goddesses now.........I'd much rather be stamping......lol!!!

Easy Does It!!!

Well I have managed to have a relatively pain free day today by the simple act of sitting on my ass for most of it...lol!!! I have been working I hasten to add.....just avoiding moving too much.
I have produced 24 cards for the shop/office box, sorted some stuff out and cut some card into mats and then about an hour ago I decided to do some stamping and inking. The card I started is looking rather nice but it will have to be finished off in the morning as I am quite tired now and don't want to mess it up.

Mr Manic had me in stitches yesterday. I managed to hobble around Tesco and do some shopping and while I went in there I sent himself to fetch a pound of ham from the butchers in town. That was all that was on his shopping list.......so what did he come back with.........a pound of ham and......a van........I kid you not. Well he didn't actually bring the van back with him but he had been and put down a deposit and will collect it later in the week. It was the way he walked up to me at the checkout in Tesco that cracked me up, never said hello even...just.....I've purchased a van. It is so like him to do something like that...lol!!!

The young Manic family have started their sorting out and packing today as they are both at home. Neither of them were looking forward to it as they have to start in the cellar and get rid of all the accumulated junk it holds. Mmm actually I don't envy them that.....I'm not big on cellars really.

I'm ready for a nice soak in the bath now and a read of me book........when I have evicted the spider that has taken up residence between two of the pages.....eeeeek!!!
Thanks for stopping by.
Sheila-x-

Another Treacle Day!!!

I thought one taxing day in a week was bad enough but today has been another one so I am going to name them Treacle Days. I have felt quite off it all day what with my back pain and various other ailments so Ruby chose today to play at little minxes......and she does it rather well I have to say. She has discovered the art of squealing and I daresay if she carries on practising at the rate she is doing she will definitely win awards for it. My head felt like I'd had nails hammered into it by the time she went home but little moments like when she put a hand either side of my face, leaned her head towards me and said 'mamma' just make the not so good moments.....like chicken, broccoli and carrots spat all over my glasses...worthwhile......and she is teething so all is forgiven....lol!!!

As you can imagine crafting was not much on my mind tonight. I did go upstairs to print off some stuff needed for some requested cards and bought it down with me to cut out while I had a browse on the www but it's still in the box I bought it down in.
I need to phone to see if I can get a doctors appointment tomorrow as my back is not getting any better...in fact at times I am struggling to walk so best go and get it looked at.

Rightio then.....I'm off to bed.
Thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Rocket Boy!!!

The card order from DDIL was for a one year old boy. I'm not fond of making cards for children but luckily I had purchased this Rocket Boy collection from The Clipart Fairy some time ago as I liked the colours.
Besides the collection I have used Sizzix and Quickutz circle dies, Fruit Smoothie Sizzlet Alphabet for the number one and stars from a pack of embellishments by Paper Cellar.

Not made any cards tonight as DDIL had to work late and I have spent over an hour walking the floor with a very fractious Ruby. My back and legs are so painful after that little session that I am self prescribing painkillers and a warm bath to try and sooth them a bit.

Mr Manic is over the moon as he has been made permanent at the job he's doing. While I am grateful that he has this job I have to admit that I am not keen on the permanent night shift as I dislike being on my own at night. Ah well you can't have it all so you have to take what's there don't you? Ooooh I am such a whingy old carcass.......lol!!!

Thanks for stopping by.
Sheila-x-

Not The Fabbest Of Days!!!

Not sure why but today has been one of those days where you feel like you are wading through treacle.
Miss Doodle wasn't at her best.......poor little sausage. She is after more teeth and although she isn't grizzly she just isn't herself and is very hard to keep entertained.

DDIL did give me a bit of good news this morning.....most of the Mother's Day cards have sold besides some other ones and she also phoned this evening with a special order. So once tea was out of the way I was able to get upstairs to finish the eleven cards for the shop and office box and make the special order. No pics though as by the time I had done I was all in and didn't have the energy........it was so hot up there tonight.....either temperatures have risen or my own personal micro climate was in evidence......lol!!!

I'm going for a reading session on the sofa before bed so I'll say...tara for now.
Thanks for visiting.
Sheila-x-

Monday Mojo!!!

Well I don't know where it came from but today I got a bit of the old mojo going and attacked my offcuts of paper box. I racked up sixteen cards in total. All very similar to the one above. Paper-gcd Studios-Paris Nights.
The box is a bit lighter and I have added to my stock for the shop so that can't be bad. It was a bit painful sitting so I had to keep getting up and moving onto the higher worktop so that I could stand a while. Then that got painful so I had to sit again...ay ay....it was driving me nuts.

The Princess will be in the house tomorrow so I am off to make a start on tomorrows tea so that I can spend time playing with her...thus avoiding the 'hup' situation where she wants to be lifted up to watch me cooking. I don't think my back could stand that fifty times an hour. If the weather is nice I might try a gentle stroll out in the fresh air with her and the dog.

Bye for now and thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Lovely Day!!!

Yes it's been a really smashing day today.
Pottering about....slowly.....in the kitchen this morning. Baking and preparing a roast lamb lunch and eagerly awaiting the arrival of Miss Doodle and her Mummy and Daddy.
Today she arrived wearing smart new shoes and she thinks they are just the bees knees.
We had a lovely leisurely lunch and then while Mr Manic, DD and DDIL washed up DS took me a ride down to see the cottage they will be moving into in three weeks. Oh my days it is gorgeous. The drive down to it once you leave the main road is out of this world. I am green with envy. It's just the sort of place I would love. Unfortunately there are not enough bedrooms for me and the kitchen........well let's just say that I would have to be a lot tidier cook than I am usually.....lol!!! For them though it is just perfect.
After they left I managed some time upstairs and again in between DOI and the skate off I managed another hour. Not much produced but I did get some preparation done for cards to make tomorrow. I have a bonus day as DS has had his shift changed and I won't be having Ruby until Tuesday. As the house is all clean and tidy I have nothing to do tomorrow but play......erm sorry I mean work....lol....upstairs....yay!!!
Managed to complete the maddening game last night so I don't know what I shall do tonight. I know one thing though....it will involve a cuppa somewhere.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sheila-x-

Using Stuff Up Again!!!

I've been attacking the piles of stashed paper and diecuts today and made several cards in this style for the local shop. The colours look all wrong in this pic.....the background blue is much softer in real life. I know the saying 'Blue and green should never be seen' etc, etc.....but I love them together.
The paper strip is DCWV and the circles are both Sizzix.The white circle is embossed with a Quickutz folder. The paper flowers have been coloured with a promarker and the organza flower in the centre is Prima.

I'm off to see if I can get any further on this maddening game and chill out for a bit.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sheila-x-

Just A Little Easter Card!!!

Very quick and simple. The gorgeous chubby chicken is from Pink Petticoat coloured using Promarkers with a touch of glitter pen. Matted onto various die cut circles. I love the 'Happy Easter' stamp but can't for the life of me remember who made it. I think.......going on where I bought it from years ago that........it is either Penny Black or Imaginations.

I have had to stop taking the painkillers the doc prescribed me. They are upsetting my stomach and I've been pretty poorly today. Starting to feel a lot better now though and surprisingly my back has been much more comfortable than for a good while. Fingers crossed that it carries on improving.

Can't wait to see my little rays of sunshine on Sunday when they come for lunch. We got a postcard today from them and I just about choked with laughing. Apparently Little Miss Doodle has been sporting herself around Devon shouting.......big tits!!! DS and DDIL have been somewhat embarrassed but have now discovered that she means biscuit.......rofl!!! I shall remind her of this when she is old enough to be embarrassed....lol!!!

Well I am off to have a play on a game DD has bought for the PC. It's very frustrating but rather good.

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Motorbikin'!!!

Wahay......not only a card.....but a man's card.
Compass stamp is Tattered Angels which I bought 12 months ago almost to the day.......and have never used until today and the motorbike is Clarity.
I've used Promarkers to colour the bike and the red areas on the compass with Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky for the backgrounds.

Well my back is still giving me some considerable trouble. The doc has given me some strong painkillers which don't even take the edge off it but almost put me in a coma they make me so drowsy. Shan't be taking many of them then.

Miss Doodle and crew are having a fab time in Devon. The weather has been amazing. When I spoke to them yesterday they were sitting on the beach in shorts and I was looking out of the window at greyness and thick fog.

Mr Manic and DD have been packed off to work so I have some peace now to go back upstairs and do some more stamping until whatever time I like.......luvverly!!!
Hope your night is good too.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sheila-x-

Work Day!!!

So yesterday was a bit of a play day and today has been a work day. All the Mother's Day cards have gone to the shop and DDIL's office. I've caught up with orders, condensed the peeloffs down into a smaller box........ho yes they are on their way out......lol...., cut some card blanks and prepped them ready to make up into birthday cards tomorrow and I would like to say that I have left the workroom all tidy and ready for morning......but that would be a downright lie......it's a right tip....lol!!!

This last week we have had one of 'those weeks'. We started off with the microwave giving up the ghost and had to replace that. Then the tv aerial came crashing down in the wind and Mr Manic decided to have a new one instead of just the old one put back up...hooey that was expensive......and we've just had the quote for some repair work on the outside of the house which made our eyes water a bit but unfortunately as lovely as Mr Manic is...he just isn't very DIY inclined so it's a case of paying someone to do it.

I had a play with my Grand Calibur yesterday and have to say that I am well impressed so far. I've used Nesties, Quickutz Cookie Cutters and X Cut border dies in it.....both cutting and embossing and everything came out brilliantly. Going to try my long Sizzlet dies in it tomorrow to see how they go.

Off for a browse round the web with a nice cuppa and then an early night as I have a very early appointment at the docs.

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Play Day!!!

Yet another Mother's Day card. This is one of my most popular designs so I do this in one form or another every year.

Fabby day today. I nipped up to Byrkley Park this morning for envelopes and bags and came home with a Grand Calibur which Mr Manic kindly bought for my birthday.....which isn't until next month but hey ho.......lol!!! So I shall be having a play with that today.
Mr Manic is cooking the lunch so I have a couple of hours upstairs until that is ready, then the rest of the day until DOI and I may have a late night tonight. Ooooh I love new toys.

Bye for now
Sheila-x-

Shopping Mum!!!

Evening all.
Another simple card today for Mother's Day using an image from The Clipart Fairy and the usual Sizzix and Quickutz circle dies.

Well I now have a whole week to do just as I please apart from a visit to the docs on Tuesday. I really want to get some stamping done, envelope sorting and card blank cutting as I have quite a few odd sized envelopes that want using up. Other than that I expect Mr Manic will be putting in his orders for favourite meals so I'll be spending some time in the kitchen.
Tomorrow I will be shopping......food and crafty.......so will probably be out for most of the day.
Just for now though I am in snuggle mode and am off to make a sandwich as I am hungry now after a day with not much of an appetite.
Thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Just snatching a few minutes on here while Ruby is sleeping.
Todays card is one of my favourites for Mother's Day this year. It's clean and simple and also quick to put together which is a bonus when you are making lots.
The butterfly is Cuttlebug.
Scalloped circle and plain circle are Sizzix and embossing is done with a five inch square folder.
Various flowers, brads and gems from my stash.

This is the last day I shall see Ruby for over a week as she is off on her holidays on Sunday. I hope the weather is better in Devon than it is here. Today looks beautiful if you are inside. It's bright and sunny but step outside and the wind takes the hairs off your legs. It's also bitterly cold.
So on that note I am going to make myself a nice hot coffee and browse for a little longer while the Princess sleeps.
Thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Mother's Day-Card 2!!!

Today I am sharing a card made with a download from The Clipart Fairy  Shabby range. The shaper comes blank and I have added my own wording.

I've had a busy but smashing day with Ruby today. She is getting such a little character now and has me in fits of laughter all day long. Mind you it's hard to get anything done when she is here as her latest thing is being very nosey and when I am cooking she grabs hold of my legs and says "hup" so that I will pick her up to have a look at what I'm doing.....so cute but very tiring by the time you've done it fifty times.

Tonight I am doing my least favourite job......inserts and packing...yack!!! Best go and get it done.

Bye for now....thanks for your visit.

Sheila-x-

Finally!!!

Thank goodness I am now coming to the end of making Mother's Day cards. I have had to make loads this year with having the shop  and DDIL's box at the office. I've been very good though and tried to use things I had already so I've not had to lay out a lot for them....which is a good job as I have made six of each design.
This one is.....paper-Pink Petticoat and the rest is from my stash.

DS and DDIL have taken the cottage and I am a happy bunny........albeit slightly green with envy at it's location.....at the bottom of a mile long track. I expect I shall get to spend lots of time there though.

Well having been upstairs for the best part of ten hours I am whacked and ready for a nice soak in the bath and then an hour with my feet up before bed.
Thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

......And Here We Are!!!

.......back round to Sunday again. Another week gone by in a blur.
I'm so sorry for the lack of posts and crafty things. I have been crafting but just not got around to taking pics yet.....I'll get onto that today after lunch.
Been frantically topping up on Mother's Day cards and was upstairs until 2:30 this morning.

Elsewhere in the Manic household.......Mr Manic and DDIL went to look at a cottage ten minutes down the road from us last week and DDIL loved it. She is going back tomorrow with DS and hopefully they will take it.
My back was fooling me when I thought it was on the mend. It's as bad as before and I am pretty much at the end of my rope with it now so I will make an appointment to see the doc when I go down for my blood tests tomorrow and see if I can get it sorted out.
Right......well I am chief cook today so I'll go and get on with preparing it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sheila-x-

Up And About!!!

Hi there
Seems like the old back is on the mend now. Just a few twinges when I try to push it where it doesn't want to go.
I've managed to do a bit upstairs tonight but nothing finished at the moment. Everything is at varying stages but looking at the pile....I should have a good few Mother's Day cards when I am done.
Got some baking done which pleased my lot no end. As standing in one place for long has been very uncomfortable they haven't had much in the way of home baking apart from the shortbread I made on Sunday.....and that is long gone......lol!!!
Miss Doodle was an absolute joy today. Even in pain you can't be miserable with that little dote in the house. She just loves to make us laugh. Her latest thing is pulling faces until we laugh and then she just cracks up with laughing herself. She's just so precious.
DD found a soft play centre in the local town so we are off to try it out tomorrow and see if she likes it.
Can't believe we are into March already....can you? It doesn't seem like a minute since Christmas. Another twelve weeks or so and I'll be fetching my stuff out to design this years Christmas cards....lol!!!
Well I'll love you and leave you as I need to go and put my feet up for a bit.
Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Stupid, Stupid Woman!!!

That would be me then.
After lunch today I felt OK enough to have a ride into town with DD as I needed some foam pads and baby wipes. We managed to park right near the back entrance to the shopping centre and I walked from there through to the other side of the centre to visit The Works. By the time I got there my back hurt so much I thought I was going to pass out with the pain. DD had gone over to the other shopping centre so there I was stuck at the back of The Works not even able to put my left foot down on the floor because the pain made me want to scream....very loudly.
So I am back to square one. Standing hurts, sitting hurts so I am doing a bit of each for a few minutes at a time. I think I had best give in and go to the docs.....if only for some stronger pain killers.

Anyway......while I was in The Works I spotted some Iron On Diamonds for £1 a pack. They are really nailheads and I got three packs of stars, one pack of assorted rounds and one of teeny tiny rounds made up into flower shapes. I think you are supposed to iron the whole thing on but I shall be picking them off to glue onto projects. There are loads in each pack. Also for anyone who likes jigsaw blanks they had a pack of eight A5ish sized jigsaws for £1.99. Didn't count how many pieces to each jigsaw but there must have been twenty so I'd say 160 individual pieces.....give or take a few.......lovely for stamping on.
Well that's it......I have sat long enough and need to go and wander for a few minutes now.
Thanks for visiting.
Sheila-x-