Long time no see!!

Hi lovely Crafty friends,

How are you all doing? Loving these sunny days, whether it's warm or not!

It's time I bit the bullet and share with you where I've been. As you all know when I last blogged in February I was undergoing a lot of tests and ill health. I kept filling up with fluid in my tummy which made me look 8 months pregnant. My wonderful GP was concerned that I could have a blood clot due to my chest pains that he wanted me admitted for tests. I wouldn't go that night but went the following day. I was told that day that I had Ovarian Cancer.I've undergone a full hysterectomy, appendix removed, a general good clear out. 

I am one lucky lady as they removed all the cancer and it hasn't spread - phew. We've had many sleepless nights waiting for results, but now we are on the next step of the journey.

I start chemo next week for 6 sessions. 1 treatment every 3 weeks. I'll lose my hair and go through many symptoms but I am here, a tough cookie and so very lucky. I'd like to thank you all for your continued love and support. 

I'd like to share with you a card I put together a month or so ago for a good friend of mine.Hubby had to be my Ebosser apprentice.... ha ha... Poor fella has had to take over so many household tasks.I couldn't have done so well without him, my daughter, my family and very close friends.Thank you...

I used a Crafter's Companion die that I won a while back, twine, charm and gems.

Challenges:

scribble and scrap crafts challenge-46
bizzy becs store June-challenge-anything goes
deep ocean challenge blog challenge-105- add charm
inky chicks challenge-52-butterflies

Apologies for not being able to leave you comments at the moment but I will still pop around for a peek when I can.

Thanks for popping by to see me and for being patient with me.

Hugs Debs x

Hello.....

Hi lovely friends,

Sorry I've not been around much in blog land lately but life has kind of taken over. Please don't think I've deserted you all. I'm having a few health problems at the moment and was took into hospital last week Monday to Thursday. I've been undergoing tests too so I'm having to take time off from my design teams and crafting. 

 I've had some lovely messages . I'd like to thank all the teamies at Ruby's Rainbow, Sparkles forum christmas  and the lovely funkettes at Get funky and craft (Funkyhand) for their support. Look at what the Funkyhand teamies sent me this week:

It made me quite emotional when these arrived. So beautiful. I am one lucky lady. My family and friends have been with me every step of the way.

Thank you again for following me and all your kind comments. I may float in and out so please bear with me. I hope to be crafting again soon.

Big Hugs

Debs xx

Anything green

Hi all,

Hope you're all well and getting lots of crafting time.

I'm here today to let you know there is a new challenge over at Ruby's Rainbow and the lovely Jennifer has chosen the theme of: 

'Anything Green'

so I went all out with the green theme.

Here's my card using my friend Sheila's Inkydoodles - Some Bunny to Love stamp set.

We'd love you to pop over and join in with us over here.

Challenges:
creative moments of craft challenge-62-anything-goes/paper-piecing
Stamping Sensations challenge february-challenge-anything-goes
fan-tastic tuesday-february-challenge-73-atg-with-twist - use a die
ooh la la creations challenge-174 - add something green
creative fingers challenge blog challenge-67-anything goes
brown sugar challenge-133-use-bow-and-die-cut

Thank you so much for popping in and seeing me, welcome to my new follower too. I really appreciate all your lovely comments.

Take care and have a lovely day whatever you're up to.

Hugs Debs x

Stamp of the month Loves me....

Afternoon lovely crafters,

It's a beautiful sunny day here, I've been pottering about tidying up and watering my plants etc... Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. 

I'm here to share with you the Midway Reminder for the February free stamp of the month. It's an fab stamp set so why not pop over to see the inspiration and join in with us. 

Here's my card:

I used: the Stamp of the Month - Loves me Birdbrain for my card, isn't it so adorable and papers from Pink Petticoat.

Challenges:

Cutie pie challenge-84-cute-with-delightful doilies

digi choosday wk-6-love-is-in-the-air

paper creators crafts challenge-35-challenge-love is in the air
crafty calendar challenge -february-anything goes
we do doobadoo challenge-3-hearts-and-flowers
southern girls challenge-104-winged-things

Thanks for popping to see me.I will get around to seeing you all to see what you've been creating.

Big hugs

Debs x

Happy Valentines Day....

Happy Valentines Day to you all,

I'm here to share my Valentines card that I've made for my hubby .

I hope he likes it!!!

As you know, most men don't like fussy cards so I dug out my my circle and heart dies and tried to keep the layers to a minimum.

I used the wonderful Funkyhand I love you sew download, 

How to make my card:

I cut circles out of a piece of white card and matted and layered it onto a grey sheet of card.

Circles and hearts were cut out of the papers and glued down. I also cut out the word love with my new die.

I typed my sentiment onto the papers too.

Remember the lovely funkettes are sharing lots of inspiration daily over at Get Funky and Craft during February.

Challenges:

natalie and amy challenge-29-all-about-love
chocolate coffee cards challenge-84-love-is-in-air
crafting for all seasons challenge-95-have a heart
deep ocean challenge -97-love-is-all-around
bizzy becs store february-challenge

Thanks for popping by.

Hugs Debbie x 

Smiling Owls...

Morning lovely crafters,

What a beautiful sunny weekend we've had here and it's the same today. It might be chilly out there but inside is cosy.

I'm here to share with you the new weekly sketch challenge over at From the heart stamps. The twist this time is to use embossed cardstock. 

I am loving being a GDT, not sure what I'll do when it comes to an end in a few weeks.

For my card I used  the Smiling Owls digital stamp-adorable isn't it. I dug out my Tim Holtz Woodgrain stencil, embossed it on my ebosser and inked it up.For a change I wrapped ribbon around a piece of card and dug out my little wooden letters and heart button.

So why not join in with us so why not pop over here.

Challenges:

crafty calendar challenge-february-challenge anything goes

natalie and amy challenge-29-all-about-love

crafty creations challenge-282-owl-love-you
fab n funky challenge-245-hearts-and or-flowers
little miss muffet challenge-103-all-you-need-is-love
allsorts challenge week-297-love-is-all-around

That's all from me today. Hoping to do a bit of colouring and crafting today.
Hope you're all well and thank you again for popping by and leaving me some lovely comments.

Hugs Debs x

Love is in the Air Blog Hop

Hi all,

Welcome to our 'From the Heart Stamps blog hop.'

Our theme this month is:

'Love is in the air'

If you have arrived here from the From The Heart Stamps Blog then you're in the right place, if not click on the link above and start off there.

Here's my easel card using the Birdbrain Card Sharks image and sentiment.

I also used Funkyhand's Love Love Love paper download.

Remember to leave a comment on everyone's blog for a chance to win. For all the details pop to the main blog here.

Now the next stop on the blog hop is Angela so hop on over there now to see what they have made.

Thanks for hopping with us today.The hop will end on Monday 9th February at 6am EST. Winners will be posted on the FTHS Blog on Wednesday 11th February.

Challenges:

creative knockouts 75-hearts a flutter

crazy challenge cch-190-love

the paper shelter challenge-189-be-my-valentine

sweet stampin challenge blog love
Cute card thursday challenge-359-crazy-in-love
ribbon girls romance-is-in-air

Thanks for popping by.

Hugs Debs x

Love, Love, Love

Hi all,

I'm popping by today to share with you a make using 1 of the 5 love themed paper downloads by the lovely Anice.

There are posts everyday in February by the talented funkettes. So why not go to our Funkyhand inspiration blog called Get Funky and Craft. 

I chose to use the Love Love Love paper collection.

This is 1 of my favourite collections as it's not just for a love themed project. All of  the Funkyhand digital papercraft downloads always have several sheets that you can use for any occasion, which makes them so versatile.

On Pinterest I saw a card that used jigsaw pieces on a card and remembered that I'd been bought some blank little jigsaw pieces for stamping on a few years ago by my hubby, so I decided to draw around them and cut them out of these yummy papers.

I really enjoyed playing with these papers again. Remember that all these Love downloads papers are available for a special price of £1, fab value. 

Challenges:

crafting for all seasons challenge-95-have-heart

creative inspirations challenge-299-love-is-in-air

creative moments of craft challenge-61-anything-goes love

dream valley challenge-99-valentines-dayl

crafty sentiments include a heart challenge

Gosh it's been a busy week with DT posts and trying to keep up to date. Hope you're all well and thank you so much for visiting me and leaving lovely comments.

Hugs Debbie xx

Soon be Spring...

Morning,

I'm here today to share with you the new challenge over at Ruby's Rainbow and the lovely Shaz has chosen the theme: 

'Soon be Spring'

I think we are all looking forward to Spring.

Here's my Spring card

 I used: a from the heart stamps digi -bunny-hello, coloured with chameleon pens. Papermania paper, Tattered lace die and Clearly Besotted grass die, ribbon.

We'd love you to pop over, join in with us and to see what the rest of the DT have created.

Challenges:

crafting musketeers challenge-22-cute

creative knockouts - animal-antics

Through the craft room door-challenge-feb03-feb09 - anything goes
Crafting by designs february-anything-goes
papertake weekly anything-goes

Have a super day whatever you're up to. My Dad is popping over today so I can give him his birthday cards etc... for Thursday.We were going to meet at Costa Coffee but I'm not really up to that yet. Maybe next week.

Take care

Debs x

A little bit of spring!!!!

Good Afternoon all,

Wow, it's a beautiful sunny day in East Riding of Yorkshire, rather chilly too but cosy inside working at my dining table - well I say working, I'm playing.I have my lovely Dad's birthday cards to make before Thursday and quite a few cards etc to make as it's a busy DT week for me and lots of posts.

I'm having a coffee to spur me on......

Anyway enough waffling I'm here to share with you the new weekly sketch challenge over at From the heart stamps. The twist this time is to use a handmade embellishment. 

So I used:

Funkyhand papers from my stash called Little Princess,

From the Heart Stamps-Spring Medley-coloured with my chameleon pens,

Sue Wilson leaf die,

& my handmade spiky flower inked up(made from a strip of paper, cut into and rolled up).

We'd love to see you join in with us so why not pop over here.

Challenges:

crafting from the heart challenge-45

penny's challenges-212

pink gem challenge -137-lots-of-layers

allsorts challenge week-296-flower-power

scribble and scrapcrafts-anything goes.

that craft place blog-anything-goes

Right I'd better get cracking with my to do list.....Have a fab day whatever you're up to and thank you for popping to see me.

Hugs Debs x

Let's party!!!!

Morning lovely crafters,

Here's hoping you're all well. I'm feeling a lot stronger, thank you for the messages  and the doctor has told me my chest is clear now.Just going in the car to the doctors in the village knocked me for six on Thursday so I think another week will make all the difference. 

I'm here today to share with you the new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas and it's Shaz's turn to choose the theme:

'Let's Party'

It's also our 4th anniversary so party time!!!

Here's a card I made this week to go on my Christmas pile for 2015.. The roses are pink but look quite red on this pic.

We'd love you to pop over and join in with us at Sparkles Forum Christmas.

We have 2 amazing prizes on offer:

Our 1st sponsor with a prize of 7 digi's is from

www.bugaboostamps.com

Our 2nd sponsor is:

Crafty Ribbons

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

Challenges:

Completely Christmas challenge-48-atg-with-twist of a square or rectangle card

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-214-something-beginning with b - black,bunting,bows on the glasses.
christmas blog challenge lots-of-layers
Creative inspirations challenge-298-roses
fab n funky challenges-244-christmas
in the pink challenge challenge-61-pink-and-pearlie

Hugs

Debs x

You Rock!!!!!

Hi lovely crafters,

How are we all doing today? Have you had a lovely weekend? I had a surprise visit from my friends Sheila and Tom. It really perked me up while I've been recuperating.It was lovely to catch up with them. 

I'm popping by today as it's week 4 of my GDT, so it's time for the weekly sketch over at From the Heart Stamps. The twist is to 'use a black or coloured card base.' I used one of the digi stamps from the Birdbrain Football Fanatics stamp set.

We'd love to see you join in with us so why not pop over here.

Challenges:
crafty sentiments - for-man-challenge
crafting for all seasons challenge-94-things-with-wings
penny's challenge-211-anything goes
sentimental sundays challenge-243-anything-goes
fussy and fancy challenge-131-things with wings

Thanks for popping by and all your support as always.

Hugs Debs x

Masculine Birthday

Morning,

It's time for a new challenge over at Ruby's Rainbow and it's the turn of the lovely Vickie who chose the theme of:

'Masculine Birthday'

I made this card as a commision for someone.Hope you like it. It was fun to make. I know men don't like fuss so I tried to keep the frou frou at bay.

We'd love you to pop over and join in with us and the teamies have made some fab creations to inspire you.

Challenges:

creative knockouts - birthdays
crafty sentiments - for a man challenge
pink gem challenge-136-birthday-card-for-boy
Simon says stamp blog Wednesday challenge/simon-says-its-a-guy-thing

I just want to thank you for your get well wishes and kind comments as always - you make my day. I might feel abit weak and fragile but I can still blog abit,catch up on some TV and read.

Big hugs Debs x

All the blues

Hi lovely crafters,

How are we all doing today? Hope you've had a lovely weekend.

I'm popping by today as it's week 3 of my GDT, so it's time for the weekly sketch over at From the Heart Stamps. The twist is you can do a  monochramatic colour scheme so this is what I chose to do. I used Birdbrain Sick Chick. I used papers from Funkyhand Wishes and kisses cdrom. 

We'd love to see you join in with us so why not pop over here.

I'm not very happy with my colouring on my Sick Chick, but I can only get better. I've been laid up poorly since Friday and the doctor had to come out so due to my steroids and other medication my hands were so shakey. This is my first day dressed which is a huge improvement. So please bear with me.My hubby thought I'd made it for myself - cheeky isn't he.Mind you him and my daughter have really been amazing looking after me. I am so lucky.

Challenges:
glitter n sparkle challenge 120 - cute
lil patch of crafty friends challenge-2 - anything goes
crafty cardmakers 130-something-old-something-new- new digi stamp, old papers
abc-challenge b-is-for-buttons-bows
aud sentiments challenge -123-anything-goes
scribble and scrap crafts challenge-36-anything-goes

Thanks for popping by and all your support as always.

Hugs Debs x

Stamp of the month

Hi all,

How are we all doing today? I'm a bit chesty and sniffy but at least I can still craft and enjoy it too. I'm staying nice and cosy today, how wild was it last night??? 

It's a beautiful sunny day here in East Yorkshire and it's time to share with you 'the stamp of the month for Jnauary over at From the heart stamps. I love this image, it's so cute. There's still time to join so pop over and see what the rest of the teamies have made to inspire you.

Challenges:

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge 2 extra-for-january-2015

eureka stamps-challenge-123-baby-its cold outside

crafting by designs - do-you-want-to-build-a-snowman

pennys challenges-210-anything goes

suzy pants smarty challenge-62-anything-goeswith-twist of fun in the snow

creative craft cottage challenge-31-anything-goes-7th-january-using a digi stamp

Enjoy your day whatever you're doing. Here's hoping that my hubby will be coming home from B&Q with Shannen armed with plaster board etc to mend our hole in the shower. 

Thanks for popping over to see me, I really do appreciate your comments.

Hugs Debs x

Birthday Candle Birdbrain

Afternoon all,

How have we all beeen? Okay I hope and not picking up any of the nasty bugs around at the moment.

It's week 2 of my GDT, so it's time for the weekly sketch over at From the Heart Stamps. The twist is to do a birthday card so I just had to use this little fella Birthday Candle Birdbrain digi stamp. I also thought it was about time that I got my new Chameleon pens out for a test drive.This is my first attempt, so I was quite pleased.  

So why not pop over and join in with us. Get any of your From the Heart Stamps out and have some fun. They suit anyone really. I love them.

I don't know why it took me so long to play with my pens. Is it common for you to buy a considerable purchase then take a while to use it? 

It's as though I was a bit scared to use them, silly really. The tutorials were really short but really helpful. I have the time but not the energy to sit for ages to learn how to use something.

Challenges:

Crafting from the heart challenge-42 Anything goes

Polkadoodle week-1-tic-tac-toe- sentiment,image,diecut

christmas blog challenge things-with-wings

Penny's challenges-209 anything goes

glitter n sparkle challenge-119 - include some pink

I had a lovely couple of hours out with Shannen on Friday. We took a parcel back to Asda, little nosey in B&M, got some cushions and a dew bits and pieces followed by a cuppa and a yummy bowl of soup out. So I was quite relaxed if a little tired. 

I got home to be shown by my hubby that a few tiles were coming loose in the shower which revealed a leak.  Now I have a huge hole and over 12 large tiles removed and a de-humidifier drying it out. GREAT.... Hubby can fix it but no shower for us for abit. I had a bath at Shannen's flat on Saturday but she is up a flight of stairs so I can't go there much. Such is life eh!!!

Thanks for popping by today. Welcome to another new follower Lorraine, thanks for following me.

Hugs Debs x

New stamps

Morning all,

Well I am super rested after the festive period - are you? I had abit of a M.E. relapse after boxing day so I spent last week laying down and resting up more than usual. 

My lovely Mum arrived from Scotland on Friday and took me to a local hotel for a spa weekend treat where we did absolutely nothing.We relaxed, read, caught up with each other, ate well and had our nails done. Then it was back to mine for the last two days where we've been out for coffee a couple of times and had more rest. I've had such a wonderful time. She went back home yesterday afternoon but I'll be popping up there in a month or two.

It's time for a new challenge over at Ruby's Rainbow and it's the turn of the lovely Caz who chose the theme of:

'What did Santa bring?'

I'm sharing my new stamp set from Clearly Besotted Stamps called 'Text me.'

These stamps were a lovely gift from my friend Sheila. I love them and they are so easy to use and no colouring needed.

All I needed to do was a bit of matting and layering and plenty of stamping.

We'd love to see you over at Ruby's Rainbow to join in with us, as well as to see what the rest of the teamies have made.

Challenges:

creative card crew for a child
paper creators crafts challenge-34 anything goes

inky impressions challenges iic-191-something-new (New stamp set)

crafters cafe blog challenge-98-something-new ( new stamp set)
suzypantssmarty challenge-1of-2015-anything-goes with a twist
that craft place blog-monochromatic

Thanks for popping by.Once I get into the swing of things again I'll pop some blog candy together to thank my lovely followers. Welcome to my new follower Sarah.

Hugs Debs x

From the Heart Stamps Sketch

Morning,

I am so excited to be chosen as a Guest DT for the month of January and February over at From the heart stamps.How lucky am I? I love these cute and very funny digi stamps - who wouldn't?

It's the first Sketch challenge of 2015 so why not pop over and join in with us at here.You just need to use one of Faith's digi stamps.

I've used Flappy birthday birdbrain digital stamp set.I've followed the sketch and the colour scheme with a little bit of texture.

Challenges:

sparkles forum challenges ch63 - 4th-anniversary-anything-goes.
scribble and scrap crafts challenge-35-always-anything-goes
crafty catz weekly challenge-260-anything-goes
creative inspirations challenge-294-christmas-new-year
incy wincy designs use-number

Thanks for popping by.

Hugs Debs x

Rufus the Reindeer

Morning all,

Happy New Year!!!!

Wow it's 2015 already.Where did 2014 go. Onwards and Upwards I say. Here's hoping it'll be a much more healthier one than last year for us - the Johns family.We can at least hope. Life is what we make it isn't it! Thank you for being amazing followers over the last few years.

Anyway the other reason I'm here is to share with you the new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas and it's Helen P turn to choose the theme:

'A Christmas Critter & a splash of glitter.'

This is Rufus the Reindeer from Inkydoodles decorated with glitter, ribbon,string, distress inks, red acrylic paint, twine and glossy accents. I so love him.

Our sponsors this month are:

http://www.bugaboostamps.com/ ( prize of 7 digi stamps)

&

http://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/

(prize of £10 voucher)

Thank you for sponsoring us.

So why not pop over and see the rest of the teamies beautiful work and join in with us and get a head start for Christmas 2015.

Challenges:

bizzy becs store December-challenge - anything goes

Cutie pie challenge-82-lots-of-cuteness on anything but a card

not just cards challenge - 9
we do doobadoo challenge-21 festive-spirits
crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-209-anything-goes
creative knockouts for-kids

Thank you for popping by I really appreciate your comments.

Hugs Debs x