Rainy Days.

Its Half Term so the kids are at home - no school runs, and its raining so nothing to do but stay at home and make stuff!!

So, inspired by Louises' lovely handmade notebook I decided to use some of my ever growing stash of papers to make an "Ideas" book. Its about 8x5" and i used Graphic 45 and Vintage Findings paper for the cover. The plan is to write down all my creative thoughts and notions so that i don't forget them, and hopefully at some time i will make them into something beautiful!

Tea Time!

The most fabulous fabric arrived into the Crafty Alley Shop this week, so today my sewing machine was brought out from the cupboard under the stairs (cobwebs and all! that particular cupboard is kept for things rarely used...) and i made a tea cosy for my small tea pot.

It was made very simply and only took about 15 minutes, so now i'm wondering what else i can make before the sewing goes back into the depths...

I'm going to put the kettle on now, you're welcome to join me for a cup of Mint & Chilli tea!

April Swap.

Hi Ladies, I know Alyson & Dee are taking a month for other commitments, so i'm assuming the rest of you who have swapped before are in???!
Louise is back (yeah!!) and we have Christine joining us, welcome Christine!
If you are new and would like to join, just leave a comment here and i will get back to you.
Please email your partner to let them know when you are posting their album, then they know when to start ambushing the postman!
Fxx

A day in Cork.

Well ,today Ebony & I went to Cork to pack up her student apartment & bring back all her stuff - What alot she had! fortunately she had managed to hide most of it in her old room before her sister (now the sole occupant of that room) came home from school!
Then we met with Louise and had a lovely morning of drinking coffee (that was me) and telling stories of famous people behaving strangely, but fortunately the story had a happy ending (that was her!)
Thanks for the tour Louise, i definately need to find that old book shop!
Ebony had Christmas vouchers to use up, and me being the non clothes shopping type was planning to sit down and read my book.... I don't know what happened but i find myself now having to make room for the 3 shirts, 1 t-shirt and green cardigan that seem to have followed me home!!
I was going to put up a photo of the t-shirt, its navy with a hippy Hello Kitty on - (too cute!! ) but the tattery boggits that like to hide things in my house have got my camera!
So, that was my Monday, hope you enjoyed yours x x x

At Last!!

Good morning, well i've finally got the correct contacts for everyone!
It should have said;
Suzie Blu

Kay

Christa

And many apologies to Carrie - got her address wrong too!!!

Enjoy the sunshine!! xx

Oops!

Three of the links below are wrong..... apologies to Kay, christa & Suzie Blu - i'll fix it as soon as i can. Considering it just took me forever to put links in at all 3 out of 12 isn't bad!!
x

Blog Award!!

I got a blog award!! it was sent by my lovely & hugely talented friend Carrie Lee Wendt from www.morethanwords.blogspot.com THANK YOU CARRIE!!!
There are all kinds of rules to accepting this award which i will get to asap.... I have to send it to 12 people, how can i choose only 12???!

The rules for accepting this award...

* Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

* Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.

* Link the nominees within your post.

* Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

* Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.


I'm sending it to people who make me smile!
In no particular order.....

Robyn

Louise

Cathy

Louise R

Dee

Samantha

Donna

Alyson

Suzie

Kay

Christa

Suzi Blu

I hope getting this award makes you smile!
Thanks again Carrie,
love Fxx

Postal Problems

Hi girlies, there have at least three problems with the postal service this month.
Louise had posted her album to Uk and it just hasn't got there, i posted to Canada six weeks ago and it not there (presumed lost) and Cathy had the worst luck when her package arrived to Dee with no album in it!
It would be a huge increase in cost to register these albums, and i really can't see why they can't arrive safely by normal post. I think it may have to be considered though, if you want to guarantee it gets there in one piece.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions for safe postage, its a pity to have to make the album again.
Anyway, lets hope the same thing doesn't happen this month.
F xx

Busy Week....

Last night was the 2nd birthday of the Crafty Alley shop and a lovely party was had! Today we have the Craft Club, (ladies, wait untill you see the papers we're using....FAB!)and after that i think i just have to finish Cathys recipe book.
There was a delivery of books at the shop yesterday and i thought i would treat myself to one or two (or three..) but i can't decide which ones i want! Literally spoilt for choice, so i have all these plans for new projects and i cant' wait to start.
One of my projects is for an altered book, and you know i think its a crime to deface a book, but i found a book on physics at the secondhand book shop. I am not scientifically minded, and i think it would be an act of kindness to turn this poor book into something beautiful!!
So thats all my news for this week, oh except that i sprained my ankle and am now hobbling around looking silly! I hope to have something new to show you soon.
Love,
Fxx
p.s. We had our exhibition, and the talent of people around here is amazing!- and no one laughed at my Mermaid so that was good! x

New Ning Community

Hi Everyone, Cathy has started a Ning Community for us all to meet on. Its fun, hop over to craftyalley.ning.com to sign up!

New art project.

Here is my latest art offering, the first doll i did i named Polly, and then there were the Polly Dolly Bride & Groom, so i suppose this is a Polly Mermaid!!
I am very excited to say that she will be my first ever exhibit at the 'Crafty Alley Birthday Gallery'! obviously i must frame it somehow, so i'll take a photo of her 'hanging' when she is totally finished.

Recipe Book.

February Swap for Suzie!

TGIF!!

Even though i work on Saturdays, there is something lovely about Friday evening. I've just had delicious dinner and am now going to have a quick look at youtube and then open a bottle of wine and watch Desperate Housewives...... whats not to love??!!

I have bought myself some distress stickles ( so many colours to choose from) and the new Penny lane stack and the Bella Bella paper pack, so Desperate Housewives may have to wait while i play!!
Oh, by the way, Robin ( this is a different one to our usual Robyn!) is stepping in for Cherrie in the swap. Sadly i haven;'t heard from her, so Suzie, i'm giving you Robin instead.
Cherrie, if you read this, I'd love to have you along for April, so leave me some contact details!
Ok ladies, stickles or Housewives????? its a tough call!
Have a good weekend ladies,
xxxxxx

NEWSFLASH!

Hi everyone, do you think you're full of good ideas? if you do then hop over to www.craftyalley.blogspot.com to see Cathys amazing proposition!!!

Hey, Happy 1st March!

Happy 1st March because....... Maybe the cold weather will disappear?! Maybe it will make someone smile if you say it to them, and they might pass it on?...
Anyway, we have 3 new ladies, Tara and Cherrie from the UK and Heidi from Australia, so welcome to you all (Cherrie, your profile is private and i can't contact you, will you leave a comment with your details please!)
This month we are making...RECIPE BOOKS! and you must include a recipe in your album. I know some people closely guard their secret recipes and some people don't cook, if thats the case then copy one from a cook book, but it would be nice to share one you enjoy!
All the usual rules apply:
6x6" maximum, 314"x31/4" minimum size.
At least 6 pages.
Please make an album that you are proud of and that you would be happy to receive.
And most importantly have fun doing it!!
Keep in contact with your partner ( i will email you all the details you need)

Ok, here is the list.....

Cathy - Felicia
Dee - Ann
Clare - Donna
Gemma - Tara
Alyson - Heidi
Suzie - Cherrie
Louise R - Kristen

Have fun girlies and please have your album in the post by 31st March.
Thanks for playing along!
Felicia xx