Pokey Tool, Wherefore Art Thou? . . . . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. I'm hoping we haven't seen the last of Summer with these downpours that are forecast. Its Nesta's 60th birthday tomorrow (and no she won't thank me for telling you that) and I am taking her out for the day. May have to revert to Plan B if its going to be wet (not sure what Plan B is yet either lol!!!)

Firstly, a warm welcome to Mary Ellen, follower number 49. Hope you will stop by again and please leave a comment if you have time as its nice to here from you all. Also, "hi" to Pamellia and thank you for your comment. Pamellia has a blog and makes some gorgeous cards.

Well, didn't I have a crisis on Tuesday. Got up early as I had a sympathy card to make and get in the post but could I find my bloomin pokey tool? Could I eck!!!

I had drawers out, boxes out, stuff off shelves and went through my bin with a fine tooth comb (not pleasant when I discovered Mr D had been throwing his ear cleaning cotton buds in there rather than the bathroom bin eeewww!!! and no, he won't be doing that again!!!)

I didn't realise how much I use it until I couldn't find it. A new one had to be bought. Luckily, we had a new delivery of them at work a couple of days before so off I went, to get a new one.

Then, yesterday morning, I decided to clean the blinds in my craft room, which are in front of one of the desks, when what do I find? Yep, you guessed it. . . . . . . . Lord Lucan and Shergar! Lol, only joshing, they weren't that dusty hahaha!!!

Mrs Pokey had obviously rolled off the desk at some point and wrapped herself around one of the cords.

So now, I have 2 to lose in future.

Now, today's card is one I made for my sister's birthday in June. I seem to remember someone (possibly John) had done one similarish with cut out hexagons at the time so I held this back.

Ingredients

A5 sized white card base

Pink PMD card

First Edition Love Letters 6x6 pad

Pink pigment ink

SB Butterflies

Pink bling

Sort of CAS. I'm trying to get over my fear of too much white space on cards. I have done a couple recently where I have had to restrain myself from filling a gap.

Well, whatever you are up to today folks, hope you have fun and sun.

Be good and hold onto those pesky pokeys!

TTFN

Ang x

Hobbycutz Challenge 58. . . . . . . . . . .Buttons Galore

Good morning everyone. Hope you are all well? Thank you for all your lovely comments on Anya's card.

Today's card is my Hobbycutz DT post for the latest challenge which is Buttons Galore as chosen by Elaine and our sponsor is All Dressed Up.

Now, most of you know, I'm not a fan of buttons on cards so this was a challenge for me, not least as I had to go button shopping again. I got these from work in the end so I now have a container full lol!

No sentiment as yet as I shall put it in my box for later use.

Ingredients

Cream card base cut to 6x6

Cream linen PMD card

Brown Lidl card

Hobbycutz lazer cut circle

Sissix square dies

SB Captivating Squares

SB Imperial embossing folder

Papermania Capsule buttons

Dovecraft bling

Hope you call all pop over to Hobbycutz and join in the challenge.

Had a super time on Friday meeting up with John for lunch. It was great to catch up in person rather than just by phone. He was looking toned and tanned and very well (That boy is too handsome!)

That's me for today.

Enjoy the Sun and be good.

TTFN

Ang x

New Arrival. . . . . . .But Not Another Striplet

Good morning friends, Romans and crafters! Hope all is good in your neck of The Pond.

What beautiful weather we have been having but don't get excited John, you know it won't last in the UK! 

Thanks for your comments on here and on Sue's blog about my being lucky to be pulled (steady !!!) in the comment game.Sue is kindly sending me some stamps so I'm waiting with bated breath.

I haven't emailed her about the Sharp Striplet as I don't like to bother her with it. From now on, when I use it, I will wear a fluorescent jacket for Health and Safety purposes hahaha! Seriously, I have actually sandpapered the offending edge so its taken the razor finish off it lol!

Someone did suggest I let Mr D loose on it with a file. If I had, it would have been a Broken Glass Striplet as he doesn't do DIY. I wouldn't let him file my nails let alone a Striplet!

Now, back to the card. I did mention a few weeks ago about doing a baby card as Nesta's niece had a liitle girl. Well, finally, here it is.

I apologise for the dark pic. Didn't realise it was quite so dark and of course the card is long gone so I couldn't re-snap it.

Ingredients

A5 size cream card for base

Raspberry PMD card

First Edition Love Letters 8x8 pad

Docrafts New Arrival topper

Pink satin ribbon

Pink bling

Kaisercraft and Crafters Companion sentiment stamps

Victorian Velvet DI

Nothing fancy schmancy (no die cutting involved at all) but I thought it looked quite pretty to welcome little Anya to the World (mind you, what a World sometimes eh?)

Well, that's me folks for today. enjoy the sunshine, which hopefully is on all of you and special get well wishes to Ita and Hazel's lad, Christopher. 

Hoping to meet up with our John at the end of the week for a darn good catch up.

Be good!!!

TTFN

Ang x

Season's Greetings. . . . . . . . Silly Season in My Case!!!

Good morning one and all. Hope all is well with you. What a beautiful couple of days we have had and an overnight torrential downpour in the early hours yesterday kept the garden fresh and watered.

However, what sadness at what has happened to flight MH17. It made myself and Mr Duck thank our lucky stars. As some of you may know, I'm half Malaysian and when we go to visit my family, it tends to be at this time of year. When next we go, it will be with some fear and trepidation after this. My thoughts are with the poor lost souls and their devastated families.

Thanks for your enquiries about my Bevelled Glass Striplet cut. I'm going to rename it the Slicing Striplet as I have managed to cut the same finger with it again but in a different place!!!

They are similar to paper cuts. . . . . .don't look much but hurt like h**l.

If it happens a 3rd time, I shall contact Craft Lawyers 4 U hahaha!!!

Now, today's card is the first festive card at The Pond this year. I was trying to be ironic by photographing a Christmas card with my beautifully fragrant Amber Queen rose lol!!!

It was born out of the card I showed here as I used the circle of stripletting cut from the centre to make this one.

I did take a pic of the process on my phone but that is away for repair but it is similar to this snap that I took for another card.

I cut a circle the same size from a 6x6 cream card base I had made and stuck a piece of double sided sticky sheet to the back of the aperture than stuck the stripletted circle onto this.

Indigo Blu Royal Peacock gilding flakes brushed over and rubbed in.

I then peeled the backing off the double sided sticky sheet and stuck another 6x6 piece of card to it to neaten the inside.

Bit of bling coloured with metallic Promarkers added and a sentiment.

I must confess,with the sentiment, I did do it on the actual card base in Versamark and mica and it looked lovely. I then reached for my trusty hairspray to "fix" the mica and proceeded to spray it with. . . . . . .shaving foam!!!!!!!!!!

After a few naughty and unrepeatable expletives, I had to re-do the sentiment, this time on another piece of card in copper embossing powder. Not how I wanted the card to look but I wasn't going re-do that lovely centrepiece again

Right then, before I forget, Karen (Karenlotty) sorry, I thought you sussed the edges on the White on White card but I misunderstood so I've taken the following snaps to show how I line up my Striplet on the card and cutting plate to get the edge that way. . . . . . . 

Hope that now makes sense chuck? You could obviously cut the entire die along the edge and then cut off what you don't want but that would waste card (and we don't do that folks, do we lol???)

Jacquie, Stoneleigh Park is in Warwickshire, in between Coventry and Leamington Spa. I'm lucky as its only just over 10 mins by car from me.

Ita, so sorry you're back in hospital matey. What on earth has that GP been doing to you? Take care chuck. We are all wishing you well.

Have a great weekend folks. German GP for me but only highlights boohoo.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x

A New Arrival. . . . . . .(and I don't mean a Duckling!!!)

Good morning Duckadees. Hope you're as happy and as healthy as possible.

Thank you for your comments on my DT cards. I was pleased with them as they looked how I wanted them to (sometimes, no matter how I plan em, they just don't look how I imagined)

Now, I wasn't going to post again until tomorrow and it was going to be another card but look what arrived yesterday afternoon. . . . . . . . . . . The Bevelled Glass Striplet !!!

Had to play when I got back from the charity shop and this is what I came up with.

It was only a quickie but I like how its turned out. I may add some beaded pins into the bow (couldn't find the bloomin things yesterday)

I have to say, I still do prefer my beloved Embroidered Striplet but I can see many possibilities for its sister.

However, I must warn you, the edge of mine is particularly sharp and actually cut my finger so please be careful when you get yours out of the packet.

Ingredients

A5 size white card for base

First Edition Isabelle 8x8 pad

Sue Wilson Bevelled Glass Striplet

SB Matting Basics B

SB Decorative labels 28

Cream satin ribbon

Bundled Sage DI

Ranger Archival Jet Black

Aly's Inky Fingers sentiment

John's pearls

Hobbycraft bling

I took the photo in the Sun to try and pick up the sparkle from this beautiful paper and I think you can just make out a twinkle or two. I have a fettish for these gorgeous pads. 

Anyhoo, hope you all have fun with your new Sue purchases. Patricia has already posted a cracking Christmas card using the other new striplet.

Jackie D, have a lovely break with your Mum and happys hols to Mrs B too.

Wendy, I will keep an eye on The Boy for you when he gets over here.

Lastly, is anyone going to Stoneleigh Park in August to the Hunkydory Craft Show? Myself and Christine (and possibly John) may be going so the more the merrier. 

Right, must scoot now.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x 

House of Cards July Challenge. . . . . . Add a Bow (or more than one)

Good morning blogging chums. Hope you have been good since yesterday. 

Today's creation is my DT one for the House of Cards July Challenge which is Add a Bow. . . . . .or more than one if you fancy. Hope that you will join in or at least pop over and see what we, the DT, have come up with. There are some new DT members so it will be nice to see some different inspiration.

I actually made two cards and ummed and arrred over which to use but plumped for this one.

Will show the other in a future post.

Ingredients

6x6 cream card as base

First Edition Neroli 6x6 pad

The Striplet

X-Cut Extra Large Circle dies

Blue organza ribbon

Crafters Companion Vintage Floral Greetings sentiment

Docrafts blue and grey ink pad

Tumbled Glass DI pad

Blue bling

John's pearl

I saved the circle that I cut from the centre of the stripletted layer and used it on another card (coming to a Pond near you soon).

Hope this is the start of a fabulous week for you all. John's last week in Spain so spare a thought for him and also Wendy and Val who will be soooo sad to say goodbye to their pal.

Jackie D, you know how to build a gal up then bring her back to Earth again with a wallop lol! John would indeed be better on the TV than me. . . . . I have a face made for radio lol!

Saw the pics on the Paperterie blog of our lovely Hazel and Patricia with Sue Wilson. . . . . . . Sooo jealous of you girls.

Also, apologies if I'm tardy getting to some blogs. My mobile phone has gone for repair and I use it for lots of blogging activity as my tablet throws a hissy on some of the blogs I visit and won't let me comment. I have a spare phone, thankfully, but its got a smaller screen and can be temperamental so will have to fire up the laptop but probably not as frequently.

Don't forget to pop over to House of Cards folks.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Hobbycutz Challenge 56 . . . . . . .White on White

Good morning one and all. Hope you are fine and fabulous.

Today its time for Hobbycutz Challenge 56 which has been chosen by Mixamatoasties, is White on White and is sponsored by Iva Nova Chest.

I'm pleased with way this turned out as I like the crispness from all the white.

Ingredients

A5 white card as base

More white card

The Striplet

SB Labels 4

Hobbycutz butterflies

Pincking Shears

Craft Concepts Spring Flowers embossing folder

Tatty Ted Stamps*

Poundworld Bling

Hobbycraft Bling

Versamark Pad

Archival Black Pad

White detail embossing powder

*Bargain buy from work. A set, including Tatty Ted stamps, sentiment stamps, alphabet and number stamps, 2 acrylic stamping blocks, cards and envelopes and 3 stamp pads, was £14.99 in sale for £1.49. I would have happily paid that for just the blocks!!!

Thank you for your comments on my disasterpiece on Friday. You should all be members of the diplomatic core hahaha!!! Have to confess, I actually sent that green delight to my sister 2 years ago. Perhaps that's why we don't talk much these days lol!!! 

Mrs B, love your new badger avatar and decided to click on it. . . . . . . .we share the same taste in music. . . . .Queen, Meatloaf and Phil. Have been lucky to see them all (Queen at Wembley before dear Freddie passed) but Meat is my man. Have seen him about a dozen times and shed a tear last year at his last UK tour. . . . . . sad, I know but there was Not a Dry Eye in the House. . . . pun totally intended.

Hope Patricia and Hazel are behaving in the presence of the Crafting Guru Sue Wilson, in Aberdeen. Remember ladies, its not appropriate to throw your underwear on this occasion (clean or otherwise!!!)

Ita, what do you know that I don't. . . . . . . . . . .is there a new Striplet??? Can I forsake my beloved??? Oh, the worry!!!**

Will be back tomorrow folks with House of Cards, same Bat time, same Bat channel.

Meantime, play nicely.

TTFN

Ang x

** Further development since scheduling this post, email received from Joanna Sheen, website visited and Bevelled Glass Striplet purchased. My heart will always belong to The Embroidered Striplet but hopefully its sister will compliment it.

I'm weak, what can I say ???

Oldie Friday. . . . . . . . The worst card in the Universe!

Good morning my quacking chums. Hope the Sun is smiling on you. 

After Patricia's techno issues, my smartphone has decided to throw a wobbly and I'm having to use its temperamental and lesser feature packed predecessor until I can get to Carphone Warehouse today. How reliant have we become on these bits of bloomin plastic eh?

For your delectation this morning, I think that I have possibly found the most hideous card in my repertoire. This was in the days of being equipped with just a Hougie Board, scissors, a Hobbycraft punch and a naive optimism that this looked good hahaha!

I'm praying that anyone casually flicking through blogs doesn't decide to give The Pond a wide berth based on this creation. . . . . . . in fact PLEASE COME BACK, MY STUFF DOES GET BETTER, HONEST!!!

Worst of all, I did send this to someone (cringe).

Have a great day folks and take comfort in the knowledge that you'll never come up with anything this bad lol!!!

TTFN

Ang x

Fisherman's Friend. . . . . . . .

Good morning Duckadees. Hope you have all had a splendid weekend. A great win for Lewis in the GP but really wish it had been Jenson Baby.

Firstly, welcome to The Pond to Mary Ellen. I have only just seen your name as a follower so will have to see if you too have a blog. Thanks for popping by and hope you will visit again soon.

Next, I have to say Janice, please don't age me prematurely lol. . . . . thanks for your best wishes for my 50th but its a good while off yet, which is why Mr D has time to save up!

And, Lesley, you need to start a blog with your cards chuck. For those who haven't seen it, pop over to John's blog to see a wonderful card, by Lesley, in John's gallery.

Now, today's card was made for a friend of ours who loves fishing. I'm usually not keen on doing blokes cards but I quite liked doing this one. Simple but hopefully stylish.

Ingredients

A5 cream card base 

PMD black card

Lidl brown and deep cream card

SB Matting Basics set A and B

Docrafts Fisherman topper

Ranger archival black ink pad

Hobbycraft sentiment stamp

Well, had a great few days off and have managed to chill out but back to work today. . . . . .deep breaths!

Hope you all have a great week.

TTFN

Ang x

Oldie Friday. . . . . . . .No it's not a photo of me!!!

Good morning folks. Hope you're all well.

A huge Pond welcome to Laurigami who has made the brave choice to follow. Thanks for coming for a paddle and hope you'll stop by again soon.

Just a quickie as I wasn't intending to post, then remembered the Oldie Friday thingy that some of you ladies have been doing. All your stuff has been fabulous so I thought I would give you a chuckle with one of my first cards.

Also, thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately, it was a bit more than someone being horrid but these few days off have been a real tonic (no crafting pun intended).

Anyhoo, don't worry about commenting on this, just sit back and thank your lucky stars that I have improved. . . . . . . .even if only marginally hahaha!!!

Have a great Friday.

TTFN 

Ang x

Ps. . . . . .Jackie, oh if only I were going to Silverstone this weekend. I have asked Mr D for a ticket for my 50th so at least he has a few years to save the extortionate ticket price but whether he will remember by then, goodness knows lol!!!

Happy 30th Birthday. . . . . . . . . .

Good morning blogging chums. Hope you are all tickety boo (saw that on a couple of your blogs recently and its a rather underused saying).

I've got a few days off and am quite grateful as I had a rather unpleasant day at work a couple of days ago (short explanation, I got threatened by two women, unprovoked, just launched at me whilst I was with a another lady). Was shocked, angry and upset all in equal measure, but hopefully a few days away from it will do me good and I'm sure our Kate has probably had to deal with worse.

Anyhoo, on to nicer subjects. Jackie. D, I think you may be back from your travels now? Can you contact Mynn at House of Cards as you won one of the blog hop prizes. I did tell Mynn that you were away so she knew there would be a delay with you claiming your prize. . . . . . . Congratulations and hope you had a super holiday.

Also, big congratulations to Jacquie and Janice who have been invited onto the Hobbycutz DT. Look forward to seeing what you create ladies. That's now 5 of us paddlers on the team now, hurrah!!!

Now, today's offering is very pink, I know. Nesta asked me to make one of her nieces' a 30th birthday card. Instructions were bright, pink and floral. Nesta seemed happy with the result and her niece apparently loved it (in fairness, I'm sure she wouldn't have said it was hideous, even if she thought so lol!!!) A couple of days before her birthday, she gave birth to her little girl, so there will be baby card and gift creations to follow on later posts.

Ingredients

A5 white card base

Pink PMD card

Pink Limetree Crafts card

Green PMD card

SB Bitty Blossoms (again, sorry)

SB Decorative Labels 25

HC Delicate Asters

SB M-Bossibilities, Enchanted

Versamark pad

Versamark pen (had to do the "30" freehand as my number stamps were too small/big)

White embossing powder

John's pearls

Pink bling

Hobbycraft corner punch

Distress inks

I know it will be a bit pink for some but its a while since I did anything too bright with a sunglasses warning at the start.

Thanks for coming for a splash and I hope that the sun is shining where you are (I'm sure the Spanish Posse will be a safe bet with that lol!!!).

Be happy!

TTFN

Ang x