Happy Halloween !

Oops sorry lost a month, however if you take a look around the stores you could be mistaken for thinking it was Halloween next week ! This week I was treated to a night out to the 'Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party' at Magic Kingdom. I have been once before, but I was still in awe of the fantastic decorations, fireworks and parade. I especially liked the hug from Aladdin (A good friend of mine is 'friends' with him) In the UK Halloween is such a small celebration in comparison to here in the USA. It is still quite amazing to me how Halloween parties can run from early September through to Nov 1st and have sooooo many people attend them. This year we decided to join in and try to dress for the occassion, but with only 24hrs notice and no real time to make a costume for 3 , we pulled out all the stops and went as pirates. Not very imaginative but at least we took part. The picture below shows our elaborate costumes.

I decided to continue with the theme of the week and make a couple of Halloween cards and a note pad holder to put in the shop where I have a baskets of things for sale. Lets hope they sell. The cards were made using the Paper Dolls Dress Up Cart (cricut) and the pumpkin came from Stretch your Imagination. All the dolls shown this week were cut at 4".

I again made this next note pad holder as I wanted to show that they don't all have to be Disney based so I tried for something pretty that might appeal to anyone. Time will tell if I am right and it is saleable. It was probably the easiet one of these I have ever made and I think it took me about 20 minutes.

It is my Nephews Birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday Matthew. I have all but given up on making cards for teenage boys as I find them impossible, but Matt is a fantastic tennis player and as I now have the Everyday Paper Dolls Dress Up Cart (cricut) I decided to go for it and make him a card this year. I was really pleased with how it turned out, just hope he likes it. He will now be entitled to learn to drive so stay out of his way !!!

My last card for this blog is just a simple girls birthday card, again using PPDU. I needed to spend my time this week restocking the cards from the shop, so have not had much time to create and play.

Well I think that's all for tonight, I am heading into the hospital tomorrow for a few days of rest and relaxation!!!! I wish! Unfortunately I have to have some surgery, so I hope it wont be too long before I am back and able to show you some new creations.

Thanks for looking

Sue

Just a quick mid week update this time to share some of the bits I have been making. I am really starting to get to grips with Christmas presents now as I am hoping to maybe get a quick trip back to the UK this side of Christmas, so it makes sense to get them made and take them with me rather than having to post them all. I really enjoy being able to make gifts for people rather than having to keep looking around the shops trying to decide on what to get. I just hope my family enjoy receiving them as much. Managed to get to a Hobby Lobby yesterday for more than just 5 Minutes, its a good job there is not one close by me. It was fantastic and I got some really good bits and pieces.

This 1st picture is of a scrapbook frame I made my hubby for his birthday. The Vinyl record is actually the original I have had for more than 25 yrs and I used to play it over and over and over again, listening to the words when I was hoping and dreaming he would notice me. He eventually did and the anniversary of our engagment is today (25 yrs ago). He really liked the frame and I think it was made more special by the fact that it was the original that I have kept all these years. Heres to the next 25 years.

This recipe tin was my next project. I really enjoyed doing this although it was quite a challenge. Covering the lid was the hardest part but I think the finished project was well worth the effort.

I made a couple more of these post it notes stands this week as an order for work. It seems that no sooner do I think I have finished the orders, then someone else orders one. Its great; I'm not earning enough to retire just yet but every penny counts. Going to make a Halloween frame today so looking forward to making a different style.

Finally for this blog are these really cute hanging decorations. I bought the baubles at Michaels and had not realised they had a flat front. It worked out ok in the end and they were so easy to do. I am really hoping to be able to set up a craft table somewhere soon to sell some of these.

I would really like to thank my DH for these latest photos, He has now set up a small studio lighting area to take the photos in and I think the quality is now so much better.

Well better get back to my craft desk, will post again at the weekend.

Thanks for taking the time to look.

Hi to all, the weather here in Florida is finally cooling down just a few degrees, its been a really nice week here. Still too hot to be outside for too long but the evenings are beginning to draw in and with the darker evenings the cooler weather starts. How I just love still getting up every morning to clear blue skies, it really makes your day start well.

I decided this week to have a really good tidy up in my craft room and as it looked so nice and clear, I took some photos to show you all where I create all my bits and pieces. Believe me it never stays this tidy for long. I am one very lucky lady to have all this space and an ever patient husband when I tell him 'I really do need another set of drawers.' Having showed a couple of people at work some pictures they all commented how organised I was, well let me tell you with this much stuff I really need to be or I would never find anything. I think that probably 98% of all this craft stuff was actually shipped here from the UK. The only real additions since we have been here is my Cricut and cartridges, oh and of course paper. I will NEVER have too much paper. My motto is to 'always buy 2 sheets, one to cut and one to look at'.

I have still been busy making photo and Post It note frames for friends, family and orders from people at work. They are just so easy to make yet very effective. As my daughter now goes to the University of Florida, she and her friends are Gator fans so these were made for them.

Mickey is my friends favourite character, so when her 60th bithday came around I could not resist but to make her a special card. Diane loved her card.

This next card is for the same person as unfortunately she has had to undergo some hospital treatment this week, she is on the mend but our thoughts are with her as she goes through a trying time.

The Daisy Duck card was for another friend who also turned 60 this year but unfortunately I did not realise it was her birthday until too late ... oops sorry Melody, better late than never. The Inside of the card says 'I just forgot the date' a very useful stamp especially for me who has a memory like a sieve.

Well as much as I don't really like thinking about it, Christmas is looming and therefore I have actually started making those presents. When you handmake gifts it takes such a long time that you just have to start early! Next week I hope to get a couple of ideas up here for you, so you too can start on those Christmas presents. even hoping to visit a Hobby Lobby on Monday as last time I went I only had 5 minutes in the store before it closed (whose fault was that Hannah???) and 5 mins is nowhere near enough!

Have a good week and if you visit please be sure to leave a comment so I know who has dropped by.

Sue