World cup time

Are you world cup ready? I am - the garden is decorated and the flags are in the window and of course I had to have some portable world cup stuff . . . . .

What do you think??

End of the dancing season

Two weeks ago we finished our dancing lessons for year 1.  We have had a fantastic time learning all the dances and we can't wait for the season to begin again in September.  All in all we had 30 lessons and learnt the: waltz, quickstep, swing fox, tango, cha,cha,cha, rumba, salsa, jive and the Viennese Waltz.

We’ve also been to the black & white ball and the Christmas ball along with a number of dance cafés throughout the year.

On Saturday we took our bronze dance exam.  We had to dance four ballroom and four Latin dances (every dance we had learnt except the Viennese Waltz).  I am very pleased to be able to say . . . . . WE PASSED!!  We were marked independently and we each scored 8.5 for all the dances, with DH getting 8.5 for his cha,cha,cha (I got an 8+) and we both got an 8+ for the jive.  (NB marks were out of 10).  Not bad eh? 

Thank you DH for being a wonderful dancing partner and I can’t wait for year 2 to begin – can you?

Anniversary time again

Last year, our dear friends celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and of course I made them a very special card (see here)

Well, it’s another year on and another card was required (where does the time go?).

Deciding on a cat theme (what a surprise!!), I came up with this – 2 cats side by side with their tails entwined.

50 + 50

Friends of ours celebrated their 50th birthdays this weekend.

I decided to use the 1960’s as a starting point for their cards.

I found pictures of the two of them and using a nifty little program that I found on the net, gave then the “Warhol” treatment.  I then cut the numbers from white card, mounted them on 3d foam stickers and their cards were done.  On the inside I added a heart decorated pocket (colours to suit the individual card) for the gift.

 

I hope they like them and that they enjoyed their birthday celebrations.

And for the parents-to-be

It wouldn’t have been right to have made a card for the grandparents-to-be and not for the parents-to-be would it?  And of course, I couldn’t miss out on making another card, could I?

I’ve always wanted to make a card with the “baby on board” sign, so I did.

Using my lovely Swiss Dots folder for the embossing and some pale yellow gingham ribbon, it all seemed to come together rather well.

Good News

Friends of ours have just told us that they are going to be grandparents this year (not that they are old enough yet!).  Naturally, I had to make a card to celebrate this fantastic news.

I used the theme of time (as in countdown to the happy event)and my grandfather clock Sizzix die and marking the clock face 3, 6 and 9 (for the months).

While the cats sleep . . . . .

I actually managed to get some work done whilst the cats were sleeping – miracles do happen!

To ease my self back into “creativity” mode I trawled the internet for inspiration.  I saw this and decided to give it a go. 

I made two (as you can see), one for a birthday and one for a thinking of you/get well soon

New blog

In response to the lovely comments and e-mails we have received about our new additions we decided to give them their own blog.  You can have a read about their antics and see their latest photo’s. Feel free to leave a comment – we love reading what you have to say.

Both moggies are currently asleep, so I guess I’d better head off and actually get some work done.

Until the next time . . . . . .

The next chapter

Let me introduce you to the girls . . . . .
  This is Mango.  She is apparently 10 months old but we believe that she is much younger – between 6-7 months.  She is quite timid at the moment and is keen to hide.  Left to her own devices she does put in an appearance!  With time & patience she will become a confident, affectionate moggie.   Mango has taken a big liking to DS much to his delight.  By just talking to her she flops on her back and loudly purrs.


And this is Poppy – the hooligan in heels!!  Poppy is about 10 months old and a right bruiser.  Keen to be the boss about the house, she has already had a rude awakening.  She is a tough cookie probably as she has had to fend for herself - she is believed to have been roaming on a farm for 2 months during the winter.  She loves to be brushed and has the weirdest purr – well, it’s not a purr it’s more like a growl.

Needless to say we are over the moon with our new additions to the family and in just 24 hours they have made their presence felt.  They have started to settle in and once we have ironed out Poppy’s want of hissing at Mango peace and harmony will reign.  Nothing that time and patience won’t fix.


Anonymous said...

they are beautiful Lesley and Mango looks very photogenic, I'm sure they will soon integrate fully into your family.
I will get down to writing that long overdue email asap.


Lots of love Paul and Hazel



23 March 2010 18:51

Birthday card

I needed two birthday cards for last weekend.   They were for men (always difficult to design for) and given all that has happened in recent weeks, I was not really in the mood to design.

I decided to keep things simple and not “overthink” the design.

 
I used a purple (not blue as it looks in the picture) card blank as the starting point of my design.  I embossed this with one of my favourite cuttlebug embossing folders – D’vine Swirls.  As the card blank had a white core, I decided to sand the top layer of colour away to reveal the white layer underneath, giving a distressed effect.  Adding a silver line and pre-made embellishment completed the card. 

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Mums in the UK.

This year I wanted to make Mum a different sort of Mother’s Day card.  After some thought I came up with the idea of making an easel style card.  I wanted the design to be personal and this is what I came up with.

Front view:

 

Top View

I embellished the card with handbags (MIL keeps all the cards I have made her in a handbag).

Until the next time.

Good news

Well, it's a week on since we said goodbye to our MLC.
As you know, Winnie was an old cat and had CRF and we knew she wouldn't last forever.  When she was diagnosed with CRF back in February of 2008, we knew we were on borrowed time and we were fortunate that we had a further 2 years with her.  During this time DH & I discussed what we would do when the time came that she was no longer with us - would we have another cat or not; would it be a kitten or older cat; from a rescue home or not - you get the picture.  We talked about this for quite a while, making decisions with the proviso that if we still felt the same at the time of Winnie's demise then all we had to do was put our plans into action.

In short, we decided that: Yes, we would get another cat; it would preferably be a young cat (not necessarily an 8 week old kitten) and that it would come from a shelter.

At the end of last week we decided to put our plans into action but I had a problem, I didn't feel the same.  I wanted to change the plans.  I didn't want a cat that looked like Winnie and I wanted two!!  Thankfully, DH didn't need much persuading, so off we went to the local shelter.

We were shown some beautiful cats of various ages but two stood out from the rest.  They are both 10 month old girls;  one is ginger & white and the other is grey & white.  They are both foundlings, the grey one has been wandering around a farm for the last 6 weeks and the other more recently was found in the next town to us.  They both have very sweet natures and look as though they will be characters.

We have to wait another 2 weeks until they can come home with us, just in case their owners come forward to claim them.  We hope that it all works out for us.  They are "purrfect" (sorry, couldn't resist that one) and will fill the void that Winnie has left - shows you how much Winnie meant to us if it takes 2 cats to fill the empty space that she left. 

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

So kind

Yesterday we received a card and poem from my MIL.  Mum wrote such lovely words in her card that meant so much to us and gave us some comfort – the right words, at the right time.  The poem Mum enclosed (see below) really hits the spot.
I’ve called it a poem as I can't think of what else to call it (sorry)

Written for those who have lost a loved cat.

Just this side of heaven is a Rainbow Bridge, a haven for cats and other pets that have died.  There our cats live in the warm sunshine, with their favourite foods.  The countryside has long grass to explore, hedges to hunt in and gardens where they can relax.  Animals who were old and infirm become young and healthy again.  They are as well and vigorous as we remember them from the old days.

There is just one thing missing for their perfect happiness.  For, though they enjoy their time in Rainbow country, they are waiting.  Then the day dawns when an individual cat suddenly stirs.  Its bright eyes look intent, its tails goes upright.  It knows something wonderful is about to happen.  Hurriedly it leaves the others, for it has spotted you.  There you are and it runs to meet you, tail bolt upright.  The reunion is joyful.  It rubs against your legs, purring just as it always did.  Once more you see the animal whom you have always remembered and always missed.

Then together you cross the Rainbow Bridge into heaven.

What a lovely thought eh?

Once again, I’d like to thank everybody who has been in touch – the kind words have meant so much to us.  Thanks to Hélène and her family for the miniature daffodils – I shall plant them in the garden as a reminder of our MLC.

A poem

AN ANIMAL’S PLEA
If it comes to pass that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep.
Then you must do what has to be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
But don’t let grief stay your hand;
For on this day, more than all the rest,
Your love and friendship will stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years;
What is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer? No!
So, when my time has come, please let me go.

Take me where to my needs they’ll tend;
If you can, stay with me to the end;
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my earthly eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
It is a kindness you have done for me,
That although my tail its last had waved,
From too much pain and suffering
I was saved –
By you!

Do not grieve that it had to be you
Who had this act of kindness for me to do.
We’ve been so close for all these years,
So don’t let your heart hold any tears,
For in that place I shall forever be yours.

Anon

I found this poem, by accident, on the internet and thought it quite appropriate.   In fact, it actually made me feel a little better.  Two days on we are still finding it hard without our Winnie, the house doesn’t feel right; we don’t feel right – incomplete, without our 4 furry pawed, purring friend.

A sad, sad day

All good things must come to an end so we’re told but when they do it can be heart wrenching.
Yesterday, we said goodbye to our much loved cat Winnie. She has been with us since she was a tiny kitten and we were lucky and honoured to have had her as part of our lives for the last 20 years. (Read her story here)


Winnie was diagnosed with Feline Chronic Renal Failure back in February 2008, at the already great age of 18. At the time, we thought she wouldn’t make it as she was already an old cat, despite assurances from the vet that we could have at least another two or more years with her. We were incredibly lucky that the treatment worked - one tablet a day, a special diet and of course lots of love!! She was also a blog star and had built up her own fan club after making her first appearance on my blog in August ‘08

Just over 2 years later, we knew it was time to let her go, not because the CRF was getting worse but she was simply wearing out. She had a tough weekend – she seemed to be slowing down and her legs were starting to let her down. Yesterday she lost interest in eating & drinking and just wanted to be held all the time, which I did. Yesterday evening we made the heart wrenching decision to have her put to sleep, to allow the little girl that we love so much to fade away with dignity and to be at peace. A hard decision – yes, most certainly – the right decision, without a doubt - but what I wouldn’t give for one more cuddle. Despite our sadness, we are glad that it was old age that claimed her and not the CRF or any other illness and that we were strong enough to let her go when the time was right for her.

Sweet dreams, little one




Anonymous said...

I knew Winnie well, had many a cuddle with her, and I like, Lesley, Mark and Sam will miss her so much,when I visited from England, she was always there to greet me and sit on my lap for a cuddle, Winnie was unique, a one off, it was time to let her go, heartbreaking as it was she was just tired out, we will always remember her with love and fond memories, she is at peace


sleep well

Grace



2 March 2010 14:35

Thank you card

As promised, here is one of the thank you card's that I made last Friday. I actually made two of these, so for those of you that read yesterday's post - this makes 5.

I made these for our neighbours, to thank them for all the kindness and support they gave to us during the chimney fire and in the days since. I wanted them to know just how much we appreciated their help and that it hadn't gone unnoticed, nor had it been taken for granted.

So there we are - five cards in one day - challenge complete!

Slow return to normal . . . . . . .

I had to make two birthday cards for family birthdays this month. Having struggled to create a Valentine's card for DH, I was hoping that I wouldn't struggle so much to make the birthday cards. Now in an ideal world they would already have been made and posted by now but, as you can see from last week's posting - it isn't an ideal world!

I like to be organized and work best when I have a deadline - so on Friday morning I decided that by the end of the day I had to have made 5 cards - 3 birthday and 2 thank you cards. I had an appointment with the assessor (for the chimney fire) so I planned that I would have at least one card finished before he arrived.

Despite constant interruptions (DH working from home, DS finishing school early and the assessor being late) I managed, somehow to meet my self imposed challenge (could this be a new way of working??)

The birthday cards:

Tomorrow I will show you the thank you cards.


Until the next time.

Valentine's

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day yesterday.

This year I was a bit stumped for an idea for a Valentine's Day card for DH. I had given it a lot of thought but due to events of late, it appeared that my mojo had just up and gone. Last week seemed to fly past and by Thursday afternoon I was still without a card for him. I decided in my infinite wisom to back up all the photo's that are stored on the 'puter to disc and to put the disc in the fireproof safe (probably because on what happened last Monday!). Whilst doing this, inspiration struck. I had loads of pics of DH, so I decided to use these as a basis for a card. I spent ages cropping, resizing and making the photo's black and white before printing them on photo paper, followed by the lengthy task of cutting them out and sticking them in place. I also hid one of me amongst the others.



He was really pleased with his card - just as well, as I won't be making one of these again any time soon!!

Until the next time - happy crafting!

Scary times & flames

I can think of nothing nicer, on a cold winters evening, than to cuddle up in front of a roaring fire. Which is just what we were doing yesterday evening.

Let me set the scene, I had lit the fire, DH had made the coffee, DS had just arrived home and Eastenders was on the TV. We're all lovely and cosy when I heard a strange noise. I asked DH & DS if they had heard it, which they hadn't, reached for the remote, hit the mute button and there it was again - an ominous roaring. I don't know what made me look at the fire place but boy am I glad that I did.

The ominous roaring sound was in fact coming from the chimney - the chimney was on fire!! Grabbing the wood tongs I damped the fire in the grate, throwing a bucket to DH to get some earth from the garden for me to throw on the wood. Having smothered the fire in the grate, I closed the doors to the fireplace and hoped that by some miracle the chimney fire would cease. Despite our best efforts the chimney continued to burn. Our neighbour came round to help, other neighbours started gathering at the front of the house. We called the fire brigade, I grabbed the cat & a coat and pushed DS out the door in front of me. DH followed having made sure the doors were closed.

The fire brigade arrived within minutes but those minutes seemed endless. A lifetime seemed to pass - more and more people gathering to watch events unfold and to offer assistance; more and more sparks spewing from the chimney - time simply went into slow motion. With relief I heard the fire engine approaching, blues and two's all the way. With ruthless efficiency the firemen took over, assessing the situation, closing the road outside our house. Another unit arrived with a ladder, pulling up outside a neighbour's house - they must have wondered what on earth was going on! All I could do was join the onlookers and hope and pray that the fire could be contained, taking comfort from the fact that we had all got out safely. Winnie was buttoned in my coat, DH was talking to the firemen and DS was by my side - we were safe.

I was amazed and grateful for the support and help offered to us last night from the people in the surrounding houses, some of whom we have never even spoken to before. Both sets of neighbours were wonderful and I was grateful to be taken inside and given coffee and support on such a bitter night.

On an up note - we have been incredibly lucky as there is no water or smoke damage (although my mind is saying that I can still smell the smoke!!), just, though of course it is enough, damage to the chimney itself. But this is a material thing and can be repaired.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank everybody who helped us last night and a big thank you to our immediate neighbours either side for their support and help and of course an even bigger thank you to the firemen.

My thanks also, to Hélène for my flowers and to the little boy next door for our picture to cheer us up - it has pride of place on my fridge.

February already

I can’t believe that today is the 1st of February! What happened to January? Typically, January feels like a long month, what with that after Christmas feeling, the awful weather and pay day feeling a million days away. But this year January has simply disappeared. Maybe I simply filed it away with all the year end paperwork – who knows?

The middle of January saw me celebrating my birthday. I had a great day and was spoilt rotten. DH had the day off and DS had a short day at school so we spent the afternoon playing Guitar Hero – what a giggle! I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much and Guitar Hero certainly brought out the “rocker” within – could this lead to a career change – I think not!!

The weather continues to be appalling, snow, snow and more snow! We have had snow for the best part of 2 months now and the novelty has certainly worn off . . . . . roll on the summer.

Having mislaid January it is time for me to get back to the design table and see what I can come up with for this year.

Check back soon and see what we’ve come up with.