John Does Dies. . . . . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope you're all excited about John's latest range............John Next Door now has dies!!!

I was going to title the post "John Next Door Dies" but thought it would cause public upset and out pourings of grief.

Before I get all excited, I would like to welcome Janine and Marleine to the blog. Thank you for pressing the "follow" button (hopefully not thinking it was the eject button lol!!!)

Now, I was thrilled as usual to be asked to do some samples for John and enjoyed having a play with these. The Sandwich Box is John's most viewed blog post so hopefully the die will prove as popular.

Ingredients

Platinum card

John Next Door Sandwich Box Dies

Marianne Snowflake dies

Double sided sticky sheet

Irridescent and silver glitter

Silver satin ribbon

Hope that you can all watch John's shows today on Hochanda at 8am, 12 and 4pm when he will go into the finer points of how to create these stylish boxes.

I am stocking some of John's new products on the website and they will go live on the website after 8am. 

Anyone subscribed to my website will also receive a newsletter after 8am with details too.

That's me for now folks as I have some website work to do in preparation.

Hope you enjoy the shows.

TTFN

Ang x

Floral Spray. . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope you are all doing fine?

Welcome to Jan Cook who has kindly pressed "follow". Thank you for joining our merry band.

Been missing a few days as had Nesta's Dad's funeral and samples for John's forthcoming shows to get to grips with.

I hope that John has got you all excited and eager about seeing his new range.

Needless to say, there will be some new stock added to my website on Thursday when its allowed to go live.

I did take the plunge and have been fringed by the hairdresser. Yes, Jackie, I am about half a stone lighter for having about 18 inches off my front elevation lol!!! Yes folks, I do have very long hair. Elaine, I cannot show a photo as I am in a Duck Protection Programme.

Now, those of you who have been paddling for some time know that I like a floral or two. This card, I made for a lovely friend and blog chum (so I hope that she doesn't mind me showing it) a few months ago when she had some sad news. 

No sentiment, as it was my way of sending flowers.

Ingredients

Cream, lilac, green and purple card

CE Aztec Flowers embossing folder

SB Bitty Blossoms (Just for a change lol!!)

Sue Wilson Chrysanthemum dies

Britannia medium rose die (For the fuchsia - see tutorial at top of the page)

SB Ivy Die D-lite

Various other foliage dies

Spectrum Noirs

Paper string

Pearlage

Doing floral cards are also a good idea for people in hospital as they are not allowed real flowers any more.

Talking of flowers, I am concerned at Maureen and Wendy's  plans to descend into my garden with the use of parachuting knickers. At least they won't be using Maureen's "smalls" as I think the resulting eclipse of the Sun would alert my security staff.

I hope your plans have been approved by the Health and Safety Executive ladies and that you will be wearing helmets, steel toe capped boots and fluorescent jackets (otherwise know as Saturday night in Wendy's household lol!!!).

Anyhoo, better get back to the samples as will have to be handing them over to Sir John tomorrow.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Ps...........Jayne, you can see the blog post about the crutches and hedge by clicking here.

Snowflakes and Swags. . . . . . . . .

Good morning all. Hope you are well. Happy Black Friday!!!

Thank you for your kind words for Nesta. I think that she is in practical mode at the moment and it will hit her at the funeral.

I'm at the hairdressers this morning then lunch with a school chum I have kept in touch with. I'm thinking of re-instating my fringe. Those of you who have met me know how long my hair is so there will be about a foot of hair coming off to create a fringe lol!!!

Now, I'm fairly sure that this is the last of the samples I made for John's last shows and I'm currently in the thick of preparing some for next weeks shows.......keeps me off the streets lol!!!

Its one of my favourite Christmas cards I have made.

Ingredients

Cream, red and green card

John Next Door Snowflake Circle embossing folder

John Next Door Build A Wreath stamp set

John Next Door Winter Trees stamp set (sentiment)

Sue Wilson Snowflake Gemini die

CS Berry Red PVA pearls

Various green inks dib dabbed onto the stamp

The bottom layer is embossed to half way and the top layer also by hanging the embossing folder over the edge of the GC plates.

The green card forms a drop shadow and is a one piece layer.......you cut the Gemini first then line up to give the shadow and mark where to cut the top and sides to give a sigle piece layer.

Hope you like it as much as I do.

Final GP of this season this weekend so I shall apply for custody of the remote control. I'm sure Mr D will be happy to surrender as he knows I'm not likely to nag him or make him vaccuum when the GP is on lol!!!

Have a great weekend and see you next week.

TTFN

Ang x

Ps.......relieved to hear that the "full frontal" Wisty attack has been suspended but am concerned about a tunnel. If you apply for planning permission for that, it will take months from this council lol!!!

Will have to take subsidence into account too.........especially for us middle aged ladies lol!!!

Snowflake Border. . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope that you are all well.

Welcome to Jayne, who has kindly pressed "follow". Hope that knee is feeling less painful. 

Sadly, my best chum's Dad has passed away. Its my dear friend Nesta, who I have mentioned in dispatches before, so its been a very sad time. I will try and keep up with blogging etc but if my shoulder is required, then I shall be elsewhere.

Now, today's card is again, one of John's samples from his last shows. I promise that I will have shown those samples before its time for the next ones for his next shows lol!!!

I did have a bit of a stamp fest again but hope it doesn't look too OTT on a 6x6 card.

Ingredients

White and navy card

John Next Door Snowflake Circle embossing folder

John Next Door Christmas Scene stamp set

John Next Door Build a Wreath stamp set (sentiment)

Marianne Creatables LR10125 snowflake die (aperture)

Memento Dewdrop Bahama Blue, Danube Blue and Teal Zeal

Teeny blue bling

Pearlage

The stamp sets are still available on my website and also the Festive Silhouettes set, which I think has been in short supply elsewhere.

Another one for the Christmas card box.

Thank you for your help about the CPAP. I'm still psyching myself up for it but the air freshener lids down my vest is working to keep me off my back. I look a bit like Quasimodo (not facially Maureen before you say anything lol!!!) but better than Hannibal L.

Wendy, I have increased security patrols day and night on Wisty Watch. There are also life size photos of me wearing the CPAP mask strategically placed around the garden to frighten any potential intruders............you have been warned lol!!!

Well, that's me for now folks.

Hopefully see you soon.

TTFN

Ang x

Bow Fest. . . . . . . .

Good morning chaps and chapesses. Hope you are all well.

I've had a few days away in the Cayman Islands registering my new hairdryer for tax purposes. I'm going to offer to rent it to Lewis so that I can claim its for business use........

Now, today its another sample I made for John's last shows and is another that is made with a Christmas stamp that isn't a Christmas card, showing they're not just a one trick pony.

Ingredients

White and purple card

Presscut Square dies

Crafts Too Fancy Lattice embossing folder

John Next Door Build a Wreath stamp set (Bow)

John Lockwood Fern Frames Elements stamp set (Sentiment)

Memento Dewdrop Grape Jelly ink

Teeny purple bling

This could do for a birthday card.

Well, I went for my sleep test results and came home with a bloomin CPAP machine. I am borderline for having to use it and thought I was being suffocated when they got me to try it at the hospital but I said I would try and get used to it gradually during the day before even attempting to sleep with the thing.

If I thought the sleep test equipment was bad, the mask and tubing makes me look like the love child of Hannibal Lecter and Nellie the Elephant.

Once again, I think Mr D was reminded of what attracted him to me lol!!!

Mr Lockwood gave me a stern talking to about making sure I give it a fair go so I have promised I will. If all else fails, I can use it to top up the air in my tyres.

As most of my breath holding was whilst on my back, I am trying to keep off my back by having plastic air freshener tops stuffed down the back of my vest (I tell you, if the aliens ever landed in this house..............) but it is working at keeping me from rolling onto my back.

After popping those interesting images in your head, I shall leave it there lol!!  I'm off to have a nice chianti and some fava beans for breakfast.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Ps............hope you have all joined the John Lockwood fan page on Facebook. Its an homage to our favourite cheeky chappy, the face of Bassetts and Pepsi.

Nordic Christmas. . . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope all is ok with you.

Been an up and down few days here but I just try and get on with things. Also, my friend's Dad has declined quite markedly so I'm trying to support her as best as I can. Poor thing is exhausted and not sleeping very well with the worry of it all.

Now, today's card is another from John's last shows featuring his latest stamp releases.

Its just John's kind of thing so he has already asked for this as his Christmas card for this year lol!!!

Ingredients

White and red card

John Next Door Festive Silhouette stamp set

John Next Door Christmas Scene stamp set

John Next Door Christmas Textures stamp set

Versamark

White detail embossing powder

It was a bit time consuming but made easier by using the Press To Impress. It really is a useful addition to my craft tools.

I hope the gals who joined John up at Swainby over the weekend had a great time and came away with new tips and techniques. I send best wishes to the ladies who couldn't make it as they were not too well.

We are in the process of sorting another workshop at Ansty for February so watch this space.

That's it for today folks as Mr D doesn't like me spending too long on the laptop when I'm not feeling great but Blogger doesn't like the tablet.

He's not thrilled that I was staying up until stupid o'clock last night to watch the Brazilian GP highlights.

When I started up my website, I registered for tax with HMRC so I was thinking of offering help to Lewis Hamilton on how to pay your taxes...........😉😉😉

Hope this week is kind to you all.

TTFN

Ang x

P.s...........all of the above stamp sets are available at www.theducksdoodahs.com.

MAWTT Challenge 58 . . . . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope that all is well with you but I know that some of my blog chums are not very well at the moment so to them, I sent best wishes.

Today, its time for another challenge at MAWTT and the theme, chosen by the lovely Jackie is............................

TREES

I made this card for John's shows when he launched his John Next Door brand and its been hiding in my files. What better time for it to be blogged!

Now, there is a tree on there......in the middle circle. I should have snapped it from a different angle but you can see it on the next photo.

Ingredients

Vintage gold card

Black card

John Next Door Circle Leaves stamp set

SW Embroidered Striplet die

Presscut circle die

Cosmic Shimmer Gold Detail embossing powder

Versamark

Gold pearlage

Hope that this has given you some inspiration to pop along to MAWTT and join in the challenge.

Had a couple of rough days and a very rough night this week but thank you for all of your well wishes. I'm weathering the storm.

Well, that's me for today folks. Enjoy your Thursday and be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Tumbling Holly. . . . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope this finds you well.

After a brilliant day at the NEC meeting up with crafty chums and heckling John, it all went pear shaped on Friday when sadly, the A/Fib returned.

It was so upsetting as I had, despite other health hiccups, been A/Fib free for 7 months since the last Cardioversion and taking these nasty tablets.

I was determined not to end up in hospital again so I rode it out and after about 6 hours of feeling very rough. it settled.

Mr D thought I had overdone it at the NEC as I was out from about 8.30 til 6.

Have been taking it easy since and hoping it was just a blip rather than the sequel.

Now, back to the interesting stuff, another card I made for John's last shows with his latest stamps.

Ingredients

Cream, red and green card

John Next Door Build a Wreath stamp set.

Memento Dew Drop Cottage Ivy ink

Cosmic Shimmer Berry Red PVA Pearls

A simple card for those who don't like too many whistles and bells at Christmas.

I haven't been able to photograph my NEC purchases as yet but I shall. Fortunately, I had photographed new stock for my website and set up yesterday's newsletter and offers before Thursday.

I am trying to catch up with blog visits............I will get round to you all, better late than never. If you have popped by John's blog, that beautiful ribbon he has used is available by the metre on my website. I have already baggsied the card as our Christmas card for this year as I love it.

Have a great week all and hopefully be back soon with no further scares.

TTFN

Ang x

Christmas Textures. . . . . . . . .

Good evening everyone. Sorry this is a little late in the day but I didn't get a chance to schedule last night.

Sunday's workshop was lovely. Sadly, we had a few couldn't come with illness and car problems but a great time was had by those would could come and a lovely Sunday lunch with pudding.........the rhubarb crumble was delicious!

We are looking at the next one being in January/February so watch this space.

Now, today I have another of John's show samples using one of the Christmas Textures stamps.

Ingredients

Cream card

Gold mirror card

John Next Door Christmas Textures stamp

John Next Door Winter Trees embossing folder (just the snow)

Izink Gold Pigment Ink

Gold mica

Cosmic Shimmer Gold Detail embossing powder

Crafters Companion sentiment.

This really does shimmer in real life.

Well, off to the NEC tomorrow to heckle John and meet some friends and, no doubt, spend some money lol!!!

If anyone else is going, have fun and enjoy your day.

TTFN

Ang x