My Family & Other Animals

Monday 4 November 2013

"Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful..."


Hello Gentle Reader, I hope you are keeping well. It's been fairly quiet here over the last ten days or so, what with our various ailments, Jo and I rarely leave the house these days. If we want anything we use the Internet, with ASDA's Home-Shopping being the greatest use of the web ever.
Of course, you can't use the Interweb when it comes to visiting family or friends and trust me, if I could find a way around that I would! So Jo and I went to my son Liam's house last week to meet his new girlfriend for the first time. Holly-Marie (her stage name if you don't mind!) was super, such a lovely girl, she made Jo and I feel like we had known her for years, she has a lovely relaxed demeanour and she is making my son very happy at the moment so she is alright by me. With a love of gaming that seems to match my son's I think that he finally has someone in his life who can share in his obsessions instead of just watching from the sidelines. She is into vintage clothing and has a very unique style, as a potential future daughter-in-law she makes a great fit into the family.
On a more bizarre note, I have started to watch Eastenders again after about a twelve year hiatus from the show. Jo and I used to watch all the soaps - Coronation St. Eastenders, Emmerdale, Home & Away, Brookside, Neighbours & Family Affairs (but NEVER Hollyoaks!). We found that as they followed each other day, after day, after day they were beginning to take over our life (or at least that's how it felt at the time), so we said enough is enough and stopped watching them all in one go, it was surprisingly easy to do; no withdrawal or anything! But I recently read that one of my favourite 'actors' Danny Dyer (I say actor in the loosest term possible, I know he's cr*p but I love him, he is just too cool for school! plus he will fit right in with the atrocious acting that is already on display in the show) will be joining the cast of Eastenders so I felt I had to start watching again before he starts in it so I can at least follow the stories. One of the main reasons for stopping watching Eastenders was that I found it to be very depressing and so I start watching it again on the very night Janine Butcher once again murders someone! I just hope Danny joins sooner rather than later as at this rate I will give it up again if I find it starting to bring me down!
As you can see. I have been busy making this years batch of Christmas Cards. This one has a little side panel with a bookmark in it. I don't know who is going to get it yet but I did enjoy making it. The image is obviously another one of my fave Kenny K's, I say obviously because I have coloured her so many times now it's ridiculous. I have used some Marianne (Ski's and Snowflake) dies and some Spellbinders (Ornament and Curly Holly Vine and Stamp set, also heat embossed with clear powder), the berries being made from ProMarker coloured half-pearls. I think the paper is from Papermania but don't hang me if that's not right!
As a little treat to ourselves, Jo and I have now set Saturday evening aside as The Strictly X-Factor Movie Musical extravaganza night. We watch Strictly Come Dancing followed by The X-Factor and round it off with a movie musical, classic or contemporary, which we take turns in picking. I chose 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' for the first week as Jo had never seen it before and I absolutely love that film, the costumes, the songs, the actors, everything about it is just a joy to behold. Jo's choice for Saturday was 'Gypsy' starring Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell as I had never seen it before. I loved it, Rosalind Russell was brilliant in it and it's the first thing I have ever seen Karl Malden in that didn't make me want to drown him with a bag full of hungry cats! I am now looking forward to this week's treat as it is my choice again and I have already chosen 'DreamGirls', Beyoncé is beyond amazing in it and Jennifer Hudson breaks my heart when she sings 'And I Am Telling You...', a great movie all round.
We also went to the latest Craft Fayre put on by Sincerely Yours on Saturday afternoon. There weren't many retailers there really as most people are gearing up for the N.E.C. this weekend. I did manage to get a couple of lovely Magnolia stamps though and the latest MagnoliaInk magazine. I have managed to buy every issue of it so far (except Issue 1 which I missed!) and while I love the stuff people do in it and I find it really inspirational too, in truth it must be one of the worst magazines out there for mistakes. Whoever proof reads it before printing either doesn't have English as their first language (in which case I can forgive them some of their Faux Pas) or they are just illiterate, which is slightly harder to forgive. I have even toyed with the idea of getting in touch with them and offering my services for free, as the mistakes are the only things that stop the magazine from being perfect.
 Anyhoo, that's me, all talked out and ready to start watching the excellent Ripper Street, so take care of yourself,
Hugs 'n Stuff,
Andy
xx
 
Entered Into:
 
Kenny K Krafty Krew Challenge #159 - Pumps and Pearls
365 Cards Challenge #308 - Men In Blue
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #66 - Anything Goes/Spots and Stripes
Card Mania Challenge #33 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #187 - More Than One Fold
Craftin' Desert Divas Craft It Up & Link It Up Linky Party Challenge #18 - Anything Goes
Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge - Christmas
Creative Creations Challenge #22 - Books
House Of Gilli Challenge - Anything Goes
Lawnscaping Challenge #69 - Let A Sentiment Stand Out
Love To Scrap Challenge #17 - Anything Goes
Make It Monday Challenge #165 - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #26 - Anything Goes
Sparkle 'n Sprinkle Challenge #25 - Anything Goes with Glitter, Embossing Powder and/or Flocking
The Paper Girls Challenge #43 - Cut It Out
The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
Through The Purple Haze Challenge - Anything Goes

32 comments:

  1. Nice to catch up on what's new, Andy! Glad things have been relatively quiet. At least in my world, quiet is good! Love your card! It's a great design and such a fun image! Fantastic coloring and great details! Have a good week!

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  2. adore your latest creation andy....truly beautiful work as always...and always look forward to your posts...you picked a cracking week to tune back into eastenders....Janine up to her murdering ways...again! And eek...am giddy with excitement at the drool-I-licious danny dyer joining the cast....make that show worth watching I can tell ya...am in agreement with you about his not so great acting but looking forward to drooling....I mean watching him at work!
    Hope you and Jo can get out and about more too soon...
    love from debby x

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  3. aWESOME card here..wasn't sure what pumps were but I will work it out....hey I just read you watch our Aussie Home and Away and Neighbours [which has finished here years ago]. Wonder what you are up to in Home and Away??

    cheers, aNNIe xx

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  4. Absolutely fantastic....i just love your card...every bit is so well made......fab...

    fiona DT
    TTPH

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  5. Fabulous card Andy...love the gorgeous blues and image.The lace trim gives a snowy feel and love the papers...fabulous colouring too..love it.
    Thanks for sharing with us at Make it Monday..

    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  6. what a sexy and gorgeous card Andy.
    Thanks for join us at ScrapbookStampSociety Challenge.

    Greetings Karin DT Coördinator


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  7. Your card is fantasstic. But Unfortunatley the rules state a maximum of 10 challenges entered so you won't be eligible for the prize entry but thanks for joining us at Through the Purle Haze Challanges

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  8. Your card is just super wonderful!
    Thank for joining us at ScrapbookStampSociety Challenge
    Hope to see again:)
    Greetings Kaija DT-member

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  9. Beautiful card and colors. I saw this on MIM..Loz

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  10. What a brilliant idea, card and presie in one :) really glad your son is happy and you like the new girlfriend, always makes life easier hehe. Enjoy eastenders, I too love Danny dyer in a sad way lol, but don't know if I can bear getting back into soap watching arghhh your braver than me hehe. Great colouring. Thank you for joining us over at Craft Your Passion Challenges x

      Craft your Passion Challenges

    Little Pear Tree

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  11. What a stunning Card and bookmark. Beautiful Coloring and design Andy. Thank you for joining us at Craft your Passion Challenges this week.

    Amy~DT

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  12. The colours are so beautiful and eye catching.... thanks for sharing with us at the PND challenge blog.... xo Nikki DT

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  13. Andy this is amazing!!! LOVE it!! The colors are stunning.. Your coloring always is!! I just love it!!

    - Susan
    {Scrap A Thousand Words}
    ps...There is a DT Call over at Open-Minded Crafting Fun Challenges

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  14. Terrific card what a lot of work! Love the coloring job. Good luck this week at AI hope to see you back next week.
    Carmen
    DT Artistic Inspirations

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  15. WOW brilliant so eye catching. Thanks for playing along with TTPH this week (Sian DT)

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  16. Wow! I just love your project! The colours Image and all of the little details are stunning! Thank you for joining the Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge Hugs Julie DT xox

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  17. Andy what a great card. Beautiful details lovely image and great coloring!! Thanks for joining us at the Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge this month. Come back soon. Hugs, Barbara { personal blog - Art and Soul Creations}

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  18. Hi Andy!! I love what you've done with this image!! I am a copic crazed crafter who just can't imagine doing cards without them!! Great colors on this, as well !!

    :) :) I saw your fab design @ Make It Monday!! I have some newly released products as candy on my blog if you are interested. Have a great weekend!! :) :)
    Nicole’s Craft Nook
    Nicole’s Yummy BLOG Candy

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  19. What a gorgeous card and tag!! The image is colored perfectly!! Absolutely beautiful!! Thanks so much for playing along at Craftin Desert Divas!!

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts
    Craftin Desert Divas DT

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  20. wonderful card ... thankyou for joining us at the paper nest dolls challenge x jane papernest dolls design team x

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  21. A wonderful card. Thank you for joining us at The CBN Challenge. Marlene DT

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  22. Fab card love the layout and your use of embellishments.thank you for joining us at crafty bloggers network.
    Kaz.crafty bloggers DT

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  23. How fabulous! I love how you incorporated the tag. Thanks so much for playing with us this week at Craftin Desert Diva Anything Goes challenge. Hope to see you again soon :)

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  24. Stunning card as always Andy :-)
    Thanx for joining at KennyK`s Krafty Krew Andy :-)
    Big hugs from Karin

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  25. Amazing card!! Great coloring on the image. The ski die-cuts are cute with this image. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with us at Love to Scrap! Challenge Blog

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  26. What a wonderful creation! Thanks for joining us at Card Mania Challenges! Good luck and hope you'll join us again.

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  27. Great card as always!! Thanks for using a KennyK image:)
    Yet another thing we have in common - I love Rosalind Russell, but my favorite is her in Auntie Mame! Not sure if you are a Marilyn Monroe fane, but Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is so good. Best part is Jane Russell singing "Ani't There Anyone Here For Love" Can you say lioness!

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  28. I should have signed that - ElenaK, LOL!

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  29. This absolutely beautiful. Thanks for joining us this fortnight at Kenny K's Krafty Krew for our "Pumps and Pearls" challenge. Good luck and please join us again soon.

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  30. Your card is so lovely. Wonderful coloring and love all the sparkle! Thank you for joining us at the Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge this month.

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  31. Hi Andy!! Always a pleasure to read you :) Love your card my friend. Your have been featured on our Facebook page. Congratulations!

    Tammy, KennyK Designer & Facebook Admin from Créations LaDiva :) xx

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