See you all soon.....

 Hello everyone! Sorry its been quite a while since I did any blogging ;( I have been pretty busy with work & family stuff for a while now & its not that I haven't done any crafting its just that time has been an issue. 

I have done a lot of card making as well as planning my ......Wedding! as you can see from the above  

picture I will be off there in a few days to become a Mrs.....;) excited but a bit nervous too!

This is the place we have decided upon to have our ceremony, its one of the more traditional chapels in Vegas and good for what kind of wedding we wanted. This is what we are calling the fun & legal part of getting married. We are also having another ceremony in North Wales next May.

I will tell you all about it when I get back & start my blogging again & desk hopping too! 

Really missed sharing my cards with you, although I have been looking at your desks & blogs too!

Take care everyone & keep well & warm in this cold snap we are having & I really hope all my American Blogging Buddies & friends on the East Coast are OK, sending all my prayers to you.

 C u all soon.

Lavinia

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Whats On Your Work Wednesday 168.....A Big Crafty Shop!!

Hi! everyone! Tonight I have had a play with some new stamps I bought at the weekend on my Big Crafty Shop at The Great British Craft Festival at Donington. Here I have used Graphic 45 Papers & stamps along with Gilding Glue from Indigo Blue and some Sunset Red flakes from Sweet Poppy Crafts. I have showed a close up of the Stamp Gilded below as I thought it looked really good, I love the colours & its very shiny! but it didn't show up very well on the pic.

As you can see I did quite well on the shopping front. I have been saving for quite a while to go on this crafty trip. Me and my Crafty Buddy, Crafty Deb's went both days to the event & stayed over in the Hilton Hotel for the Saturday night. It was really nice & the breakfast was wonderful Sunday morning, ages since I have has a full English.

I bought all sorts! Including Stamps By Chloe, Sweet Poppy Stencils, Cherry Lynn Die's, Graphic 45 paper & stamps, Stampendous Stamps & Frantage powders & shaved ice, Ribbons, Sticky Gems, glitters, tapes glues.....ect...ect....All in all the weekend was fab. We though it would be fun to get as many pic's of us with Presenters from Create & Craft, we ended up having our pic took with about 7 of them. We chatted with the great Melanie Heaton & Dawn Bibby & Sue Smith & Sheena Douglass & a few others (I have name dropped enough..lol.) already looking forward to the next Crafty Show....Harrogate perhaps?

Finally I am still using my Hunkydory Xmas kits to make cards, I really enjoy making Christmas cards, so may images to choose from & I love being able to go mad with the glitter. Time to post this & hop over to Julia's Blog to join in the hop.......have a crafty week everyone & thanks for stopping by!

Lavinia

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WOYWW 166....Erm...sorry but its.....Festive!!!

Hello WOYWW'ers! Its been a few weeks since I joined in Julia's Mahooosive world wide Blog-a-thon! If you have arrived at this page thinking "What's this woman on about???" then Hop over here and check her Blog out for the in's N out's of what I am on about & you too could join in on the weekly hop-a-roony! Go on show us your's!

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

I have finally succumbed to the festive card making! I have been playing around & putting together some of the Hunkydory Christmas Kits I bought from Create & Craft. There so easy to use & great fun too and this way I get to make loads of cards for everyone to have a made one! If I gave everyone I know one of my "Special" made cards every year I would take all year to get them done, it can take me that long to do just one sometimes!

As you can see I have been on a roll past few days. I have really enjoyed skiving off & just sitting here making cards all day, reminder to self..."Clean House"....:-)

So far I have done about 30 all together and used the some of the Vintage & Traditional Kits, I have still to use any of the Elegant or Cute Kit's. From the four kits I bought they say you can make at least 80 cards, however, they are so generous with all the die cuts & papers & card stock I think I will get about 150 at least!.....another reminder to self....."Go do a food shop".......;-)

Right that's it for this post I must get some sleep, been up till all hours in here! Its this new desk & room layout, I am having so much fun in here! I never want to leave this happy crafty place, I must get back to the real world though tomorrow, boo.......but then I will have to visit you at your desks.... yeah....another excuse to sit here! Whooo---hooo.....I am going a bit bonkers so I better wrap this up! Take care everyone & have a crafty week!

Lavinia

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WOYWW 163......Bunting! & Celebration Cards!...oh and Tea!

The new desk is great I am getting loads more done & can have a few diffident projects on the go with more space! Been making loads of bunting by using up my scraps on some pre cut pennants that came free with a Hunkydory kit a while back.

This storage desk carousel was a bargain from the Craft Superstore. They was £45 but now down to £26 in the sale, just had to do some shuffling on the desk before could live with it ;)

Here I was trying out the new Pearl Elegance Kit from Hunkydory. There are a few weddings this year I have been invited to and this kit just fits the bill to make some beautiful cards & keepsakes.

After all that I will now drink my tea & eat my Date & Walnut Cake I made yesterday, really getting back into backing again of late, loving my Scones!!! Hope you are all having a good snoopathon to day as brought to us by Julia our leader :) razz over to her blog & get the lo down on what we are all going on about, its one of the biggest crafty blog hops on the net!!!! Go on I dare you to join in...

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

Dont be shy come & join in and show us your Workdesk on a Wednesday, its that easy!

Hope you all have a great snoop & are keeping well & warm, last thing I need, new medication I have to take are making me feel like and extra in Dante's Inferno! I cant stand being warm either! Have a great creative week!

Lavinia

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Whats On Your Work Wednesday 160......New Desk!!!

Well, its done! Here's my new crafty space, bigger desk better to work on & defiantly brighter! It was 4 days of very hard work. I really didn't think there was as much "stuff" squirreld away in this small corner? However, It filled my bedroom & the hallway upstairs as well as the place behind the sofa in the front room?...Mad! I did have a bit of a chuck out too & filled a bin bag with things that were just not worth hanging on to, old bags, folded up card-bored boxes, you always think they will come in for something! But alas they dont..

I used 3 Expedia Cubes from Ikea, one on each end to support the work-surface & one in the middle. So there is 12 cubbys now for storage, loads more room! It was well worth sorting it out & I am really chuffed with the end result. Mr Lavinia has done a sterling job, as well as making 2 trips to Ikea to exchange something that I wanted to incorporate, but just didn't fit!

I want to thank everyone last last week for the visit. And hope I got back to all of you & to the ones I didn't, I will this week!!! :) No card to show this week as tonight is my first making evening making anything!

Hope you have all had a crafty week & making the best of the rubbish weather! Its my Birthday on Thursday so I hope its NOT raining, but hey even if it is I have my lovely new desk to craft the day away on! :)

Hope you all have a crafty week!

Lavinia

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WOYWW 159.....Last time from my old desk!

Hello Everyone! Thanks for popping by to have a snoop at what could be the last ever pic of my Big Old Desk for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday!

I have decided its time to get rid of it to the Garage & have a worktop along the length of the wall. I am as we speak filling out my Ikea Shopping list! Hopefully the work will be done in the next two weeks!....(mmmm maybe blind optimism) but cant be without my crafty space for long :( makes me feel anxious the thought of no desk!

I took the pictures while I was making the card in the next pic.

I Have a feel for the busy Vintage style at the moment. Seems my past few cards have been that kind of look. Think maybe some of it is down to the past two lots of Anna Griffin stamps sets I have bought. I love what she creates & the elegance of her designs. Its fired my Inspiration & got me enthused :) I have used on of Astrid's Freebie Friday Tags again as they are so lovely & easy to incorporate for a great Vintage look! Theres a link on my sidebar to her Blog, she does some really wonderful work!

I have now sent out all my ATC's from the 3rd WOYWW Anniversary swap, thank you to all my swappers! I will show them all when I have received them, as I still have two from the USA on there way. Hope you all have a great week & off to desk snoop!

Lavinia

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A Vintage Sunday Session

I came up with these 2 creations using the freebie tag from

http://astridsartisticefforts.blogspot.co.uk/

Every Friday Astrid gives away a free digital image.

She makes some amazing Cards & projects. Be sure to check out her Blog!

I used dies from Go Kreate & Spellbinders & X-Cut

The Paper is Websters Pages & Papermainia

Stamped Sentiments are from Anna Griffin

Glitters by Martha Stewart & Deco Art Glamour Dust

Ribbons & Gems & Decorative Nail head stickers & Flowers & Paper Lace from stash!

Hope your all having a Crafty & Creative Sunday!

Lavinia

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HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY WHAT'S ON YOUR WORKDESK WEDNESDAY**** UPDATED POST****

Here is my updated post to WOYWW 3rd Anniversary ATC Swap. On my original post (scroll down) I forgot to add the picture of the ATC's I made! Doh....:) so here they are! Happy What's On Your Workdesk 3rd Anniversary Blog Hop Everyone! I have 3 extra made so if you want to swap then let me know ok!

Lavinia

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HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY WHAT'S ON YOUR WORKDESK WEDNESDAY!!!

Well cant believe its What's on your workdesk Wednesday's 3rd Birthday! I seem to remember joining in sometime after the 1st Birthday. Been joining in on & off ever since. Its really great to meet others joining in this global desk hop on a weekly basis & big thanks goes out to Julia for creating this amazing place where we all meet to show off our desks each week & encourage & spur on each others creative doings! Please pop over to Julias blog & find out more about what I am on about....& join in! Come on show us yours!!

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

Well as you can see this week, its NOT my normal kind of desk?? I have had to get a sewing head on in order to sew the Voil-iy type fabric for the Lounge window. Had a bit of a disaster as my machine has stopped working in a kind of way, it will only do a basic straight stitch & only one length too, it does not want to do the other 99 its supposed to do! Anyhow at least I got the curtain done.

All finished and at the window! You can just see I have Create & Craft Channel on the TV, typical ;) I am joining in on the ATC Birthday Swap & really looking forward to whoever's ATC I receive! I have mad a few extra so if you want to swap let me know ok! I will be posting mine out on Friday to the recipient! Have a great Blog hop everyone & Happy Birthday to all the WOYWW'ers out in WOYWW land!!!!

Lavinia

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Choo Choo.....all a bored the lunch Train!

On Sunday my Sisters & I took my Mum on the East Lancashire Railway for a Lancastrian Lunch! I have never been on a steam train before, so I was more than excited. It looked amazing up close.

There train consists of two dining carriages and five passenger carriages. I think the train was one of the last one built by the Brighton Works in 1956. There was a table of 4 on one side and tables that seat 2 on the other.

We had a really good 3 course lunch followed by coffee & petite fours! The railway do a really good selection of events throughout the year at very reasonable prices. I think next time I will book for the Afternoon Cream Tea Train! Mmmm yum!

Lavinia

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tic toc… the french clock is ticking…

tic toc… the french clock is ticking…

You still have time to partake in Vicky Archers

Wonderful Blog Givaway!

A fantastic feast of French style!

Design

Interiors

Fashion

Fragrance

Wonderful Writings

Go make Coffee & hop over to loose yourself in this wonderful blog!

http://vickiarcher.com/

Enjoy your day everyone!

Lavinia

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French Essence… the how’s, the why’s and a giveaway …

This is a fantastically French Blog! Beautiful Interiors along with Elegantly Stylish Design to perfect Perfumes & Decadent treats! A French life lived well indeed!

French Essence… the how’s, the why’s and a giveaway …

Go and peruse her wonderful new site & find all kinds of French delights! An avid read for any established or budding Francophile!

Lavinia

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Whats On Your Work Wednesday 153.......Another Trying to get in the mood desk!

Its here again! Yes the day of the week that seem's to arrive quicker than any other! My desk this week is another "Trying to get in the mood desk" Tonight after dinner I decided to get my crafty hat on & bring coordinating stash out of drawers & off shelves lay it on my desk & make myself get inspired. It worked a few weeks back & it got me using things I bough an age ago & have just been unused. The theme I have set myself is "Female family Cards" The first crisp white card is placed on the craft mat ready to be transformed!

This idea of setting stash out seem's to work well for me of late, as I am struggling to get ideas & my mojo is not co-operating! This week has come round before I know it. Not got much done in the way of crafting but I have got bits & bobs done here & there in the sorting of stash & stamps in my crafty corner. As you can see from the pic below I have sorted all my cling stamps in to groups on laminated A5 sheets & stored them in one of those "Really Useful Boxes". I have made labels for each one (all 89 sheets of them, it played havoc with my RA & carpel tunnel) I realized I was not using them as much as I should so now I can find the needed stamp easier, I will use them more!

I want to thank everyone who left me wonderful comments last post! So kind of you all, if I didn't manage to get to pop by you Blog be sure I will this week. Like everyone I have to get to grips with the "New" blogger dashboard & layout. I did not realize I had comments last week after it changed & I couldn't work out what to do! I am in the "Know" now and have figured it out. I am a bit rubbish with change :( to me it wasn't broke & I was happy with how it worked but alas some new fangled method was introduced to confuse me, as well as keep me on my toes! Hope all well with you & your enjoying you week take care everyone!

Lavinia

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Whats On Your Work Wednesday 152..... Girl'y Pink!

Hello WOYWW'ers! Nearly that time and we will all be celebrating the 3rd Birthday of this amazing world desk blog hop of Julias! Its fun to see what folks all over the globe are up to, you should really join in and show off your desk with us all, go over to Julias Blog at

http://www.stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/ and see what its all about, you know you want to!

So her is my offering this week. This is my desk late Tuesday evening. Making some cards with another set of free papers found in the bottom of a drawer when I had a clear out. They were in Making Cards Mag designed by Nikky Hall for Polkadoodles. I added bits & bobs & used some of my new Anna Griffin Banners & Bunting stamps with them (my new fave stamp set, so versatile) heres what I came up with......

Sorry about the bad light, I was just relying on my Ott Daylight lite & the camera flash as I took them all in the evening.....

The great British weather has been living up to its usual rainy Gray reputation again this week! Not been to bad here but had lots of very strong winds. I have not ventured out much unless needed too. Thanks to everyone who stops and visits and the comments you leave are always so welcome :) cheers me no end! Looking forward to visiting you all too! Have a great week everyone & please take care in the weather!

Lavinia

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First Ever ....Show & Tell Friday & Gray Painted Room!

My room has gone from this...........

To this in 3 days!.......

 There was a lot of painting to be done, thankfully I didn't do it! But hired a Decorator to carry the work out for me. I love it! The picture of the finished painted room was took in the evening, so light was not so good. The colour is Farrow & Ball's "Pavilion Gray" and the Gold Stripe is 1868's "Old Gold" along with Satinwood White for the fire surround and rest of woodwork.

Now the hard work for me will begin!

I need to make the Curtain's & have a Roman Blind made. Along with deciding what is going back in to the room??? I packed 4 boxes of Pictures & Ornaments & other things!

I do not want to just add everything back for the sake of filling a space! So quite a bit of sorting will have to be done in the coming months........Yes I said months! It is going to take me a while I think to find what I would like? I am NOT going to rush to fill this space! I will brows & shop & root out  finds that suit me & the room!

This is my first entry into "Show & Tell Friday"

If you would like to know more then hop over to Cindy's wonderful Blog

http://romantichome.blogspot.co.uk/

Cindy shares her passion for Interiors & Interests from the world of design! Here you can also

have a look at some of the wonderful images & things & rooms & stories that other Bloggers have showed & shared with the world in this great Blog hop! 

Have a great week everyone & thanks for the visit!

Lavinia

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Whats On Your Work Wednesday 150......Last weeks Cards!

Hi Wednesday Blog hoppers! Not lots on my desk this week with regards to hands on "craftiness" but these are last Wednesdays completed 6 cards I promised myself I would do! And I only just cleared my desk on Monday! That was good for me, as I am a tidy freak, I went a whole 5 days without doing anything!

My desk now for the next week at least will be focused on re-decorating my front room! I have been perusing various design books for ideas & furniture colours. I have decided on the colours for the room. Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray & White. I have a curtain pole to paint two pole holders. I am also going to make some Voile curtains. I really would like my sofa re-covering but still deciding on that one!

The Decorator has just made a start & filled the cracks & holes in all the walls, quite a lot really! Looking forward to seeing it finished later this week.

Finally I found another wall painting I took in Nice France that advertises the famous Nice Carnival. I think the Clown has a bit of a sinister grin on his face! It was very well done & full of detail. I love the colours in it, very Cote d'Azur!

Hope everyone's keeping well & warm in this Winter style weather we are having. Its freezing today here. Thanks to everyone who visited last week & commented on my desk. I got round quite a few last week due to skyving, when I really should have been doing other things. Saw some lovely work going on & found my trip around the globe truly inspiring! If you have not joined in yet & would like to show us your desk & what's on it then nip over here to Julias Blog at; http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

you will find out how it works & how to enter, we would love to have a peek at what your up to! Have a creative week everyone, off to peek at yours!

Lavinia

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WOYWW 149.....Trying to .....get in the mood!

Hello again! Crafty-ness has NOT been very forthcoming the past few weeks, had a few trying times of late! My Mojo was AWOL...so in a bid to inspire & get me in the mood I picked out some paper by Kay & Co I have had forever & stamps I have been meaning to use & various other rub-on's & Ink's & Twine & papers and hope that something would be created???

And lo finally it was! Not 100% happy yet though, but I am getting there I think. Picture's 2 & 3 was after to-ing & fro-ing from the desk most of Tuesday afternoon. Shuffling paper at first then poking a few stamps & finally sitting down after dinner in the evening to try get to work. I will NOT tidy this desk now until I have made at least another 5 cards to go with this one! I like my sets of six!

Finally here is a Photo I took of an amazing piece of Trompe L'oeil Art work I spotted in Carcassonne in France. The detail was stunning, shame it was a bit dull really as the colours were very vivid. Would love to see more of this over in the UK. It would really brighten up some urban landscapes!

I hope we have some good weather soon? Not liking theses April showers we are having & Snow, What's that all about? Thanks so much again for all your lovely comments! I love reading them & feel really chuffed when I see what nice things you all say! thanks to my new followers too, its much appreciated! I feel honoured you think I am worth a visit! Well time to post this & snoop at your desk's. Enjoy the mighty weekly desk hop-a-thon by our leader Julia go visit her here & find out what it's all about!!

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

Also just a quick note to let you all know I have 24 New Distress Markers for Sale look at my previous post, there great to use but just not me!

Warm Regards

Lavinia

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