GREETINGS FROM FINLAND

Greetings All!
Well it has been FOREVER since I last blogged, and for that, I apologize! What can I say, I've been through a whole lot, but I wont bore you with the details. Lets just say that 2009 is a year I hope to forget, but on the upside....things can only get better. I have no cards to post, as I have not made a card in ages! I have even BOUGHT Christmas cards this year!!!! SHOCK AND HORROR! However, my house is looking Ok, as I have renovated from head to toe. It has been a sort of therapy for me, trying to move forward without my husband. I am rather proud over what I have achieved. Hopefully, I will get back into my cards, as I have a FORTUNE invested....ooops, did I just admit that????
Take care everyone
HUGS
Jillx

Hi there

Hi all. Just thought I would confirm that I am in fact still alive!!! I have just been busy out in the garden. The warm weather does not last very long in Finland, so I am trying to take advantage of every minute. I have even managed to make a few cards, but as usual....never got round to photos before they where sent off! I am OFFICIALLY the worlds worst blogger!!
Hugs to all
Jillx

blog candy!!!

WOW WOW WOW!! Look at this AMAZING candy Debbie has up for offers!!! She is going to make someone VERY happy! (This is the first blog candy post for me, as it has taken me this long to learn to link things!!! PMSL
Drroooooool!!!!
Jillx


www.passionforcrafts.blogspot.com/

Not a Tilda

Hi folks, I thought I would show you that I dont only make Tilda cards! In fact, I have made a few lately without any image, just inspirational words. The reason that I decided to post this one, is because of on my Swedish blogging buddies has just posted, using the same stamp, but with blue colouring. The similarities are amazing. The wording says.." We all have our time machines, some take us backwards, and we call them memories, otheres take us forward and we call them DREAMS" http://www.susannesj.blogg.se/ I am really crap at doing links so i HOPE THIS WORKS! pmsl. I am churning out cards like a factory today, as I have masses of coloured images, just needing a little love.
TC all
HUGS
Jillx

AN AWARD

Aaaaah, my dear friend Mandi likes me blog!!!!! So much so, that she gave me an award!!! AND I even managed to upload it!!!! For those people who have sent me awards in the past, I dont deliberatly ignore them, I just cant do this bloggie thing so well! I will now attempt to pass it on to everybody who reads my blog!! (OK then, all three of you who read my blog!!! PMSL) Thats why I cant enter challenges!

oh well THAT did not work!!!!

Need more help Scoopy!!!!

HUGS

Jillx

Goodmorning

Goodmorning all, hope you all had a good easter. Mine was very different, first time I have been without my kids, and I missed them so much!! However, they are home again for a week, and chaos has returned! Made a "horsey" card for an order, but it did not scan too well - very blury (or however it is spelt). Magnolia stamps as usual, Prima roses and the paper is from MM .
Enjoy the last hours of a long weekend!
Hugs
Jillx

Happy Easter

Goodmorning all! I have had a facelift!! (not me...my BLOG!!) I just wanted to take the time to wish you all a very happy easter!!! i will hopefully start posting again soon!
HUGS
Jillx

Hello all

I MADE A CARD!!! Been sitting in my craft room all weekend, but have spent more time playing scrabble on Facebook than crafting! HAHA But I did make a card. I am a really crap blogger, I only ever remember to post about every tenth card. Of course, I have used the Magnolias again, in colours WAY out of my comfort zone. The sentiment is computer generated and says "Spring Greetings", and the green swirly paper is from Pink petticoat. It is a wallet card, and have included a packet of seeds inside.
Hugs to all, and enjoy the spring sunshine. We still have 10cms of snow!!!:(
Jillx

TILDA WITH TULIPS

Hallo all! What a productive day! I have had both the new spring club magnolias, and the easter magnolias arrive in the last week, and I FINALLY found the energy and inspiration to colour them today. Got a whole lot of images ready, so I am well chuffed!!! I love this image of Tilda, I have masked her onto the tulips. The paper is a new one for me, Basic Grey Sultry (welcome to the real world Jill) and the flowers are from my stash without a name, although I think they might be Prima. The little "made for you" charm got turned upsidedown on the scanner. The bling is from the Anitas wheel. I have coloured Tilda with watercolour pencils for a change.
Hope you are all having a good weekend and enjoying the spring weather! LONG MAY IT LAST!!!
TC and hugs from me
Jillx

Magnolias spring set

Hi all. Well, I might have been M:I:A:, but I have made a few cards. I am finding it really difficult to concentrate, but everyone keeps telling me to keep busy. This is a Tilda stamp from the spring stamp club, that I have made for a friends birthday. Unfortunately, I am very bad of keeping track of what makes things are, as I have to open everything, and often get rid of the packinging before I realise. So here goes. I have distressed the edges of the paper with a Heidi Swapp distressing tool. Took me a while to get the hang of this, but this backing paper, 3ndypapir from Norway, is a lovely quality, and it seems to "bite" better on thicker paper. The edges are inked with distresses, vintage photo. The swirls were from a free set that came with one of the latest mags (?) the flower came from my box of nameless flowers, although I think the leaves are Prima. The little charm, I bought locally. Now my question is....how do you all attach charms???????????????????????? Something I am struggling with. Oh, and the image is coloured with distress inks. The lettering is chipboard "Best creations".
I will save my other cards, for the long days between postings! That way people will THINK I am busy.
Just a quick thank you to all my friends who have been there for me this week. Every little message means the world to me. I have been overwhelmed with friendship! Thank you thank you thank you! Please accept my apologies if I have not answered personally, I will get around to it eventually!
HUGS
Jillx

GREETINGS FROM FINLAND

Greetings one and all! Well I am afraid that I bring bad news. (well for me anyway) Yesterday, after 17 years, my dear husband walked out of our lives. So I am now offically a singlemother to four kids. To say that I am devestated, is the understatement of the year, and right now I do not know what tomorrow will bring. But we will have to wait and see. Unfortuntaely, I have four kids who need me right now, so I need to stay strong for them (and I mean unfortunately that they are suffering, fortunate to have them!) I am waffling, as I am at a loss for words. I will post again when and if I find the strength
Take care of your loved ones, and I guess we will speak soon
Jillx

I REMEMBERED!!!

Finally, I remembered to scan a card BEFORE I sealed the envelope! Soryy i am not very active at the mo, but OH is away, and I am trying to cope with four kids and two businesses - NOT easy.
This is a card that I made for my husbands aunt, with the usual Magnolia stamps. I will fill in more detail IF I get time!
HUGS to all
Jillx

NOW TO PUT IT INTO PRACTISE......

Goodday from a chilly Finland. Just emptied my bank account at IKEA, as we are going to start renovating the middle two boys' room tomorrow. (GIVE ME STRENGTH)

My dear friend Scoopy has sent me this lovely award, AND even taught me how to post it... this is attempt 2... DADA!!!!! I now have to pass it on to 5 others. So here goes

Mandi (for attempts to teach me)

Joey

Nicks (even tho' she hates Tilda)

Barbara

and I would like to send it back to Scoops, for teaching me how to do it!!

Right, aren't I A CLEVER CLOGGS THEN!

Off to cook dinner again, strange how these kids need to eat like EVERYDAY!!!

Hugs

Jillx

tHE DUMMIES GUIDE TO BLOGGING

This is the dummies guide to blogging, awarded by Scoopy and Mandi. I am now trying this out according to their "destructions"- please bear with me....

This is a lovely photo that Scoopy has on her blog, that I have borrowed for my lesson.

Now any NORMAL person, is probably wondering what on earth I am waffling about, but Mandi and Scoopy will know what this is all about PMSL PMSL PMSL. It has taken me THIS LONG, but I did it!!

ROLL ON AWARDS!!!!

SHE'S ALIVE!!!

Hallo all my faithfull followers who have missed me, YES I am still alive! Just been busy, and lost my mojo as far as cards are concerned. I feel like I have got in a rut, and all my cards are the same. My greatest desire is to make a plain, clean card, but cant get that one right!PMSL. I LOVE those plain white cards, that everyone else manages to make. So after many failed attempts, I climbed back into my comfort zone, and made another Tilda. In fact, today, I made 7 Tildas!!!! It is valentines day soon, and here in Finland, they celebrate it more as "friends day". So I got busy and did my cards. I have even got the envelopes done and adressed. IMPRESSIVE! The cards are all sameish, but slightly different. Same image and colours, but different backing papers and bits and pieces. The wording says..."Angels, of course they exist" on the inside, "I call them fiends" The text stamp is from Stämpel fabriken in Sweden, and of course, the others are magnolia. The backing papers are all papermanias valentines collection.

Hallo

HALLO again! Well fianally a card, but it has taken me all day to make it!!! I have been a bit distracted, as I have been playing on Facebook. I have finally managed to trace some of my old nursing friends from South Africa, after 20 years, so there is a whole lot of catching up to do!
And now for the card - sorry about the bad image. I find that when the cards have "height" they dont scan well, because the lid does not go down properly. This is an engagement card for OH's niece. I have kept the wording down to the names, quite simply as they both speak different languages and I though this way it was "neutral" No stamping this time, a homegrown flower, which is inked with distresses , ooops and STAMPED with a text stamp. The swirls are sizzix, the leaves are from old stash, the tiny roses have been sitting in my box for years. Three little pearly stick ons and a bit of stickes on the petals. The hat pin is bought locally from Tiimari. The text is computer generated, with Vivaldi font.
Apart from that, it is snowman weather here. It snowed quite a bit in the night and the temp is now hovering round 0, so you can build snowmen!
Thats about all for now! Take care all!
HUGS, Jillx

TO ALL THE OVERINDULGERS!

Twas the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled,
the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales
there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store
(less a walk than a lumber),
I'd remember the marvellous
meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces
and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls
, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said,
"No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself
in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again
to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself,
as I only can, "
You can't spend a winter
, disguised as a man!"
So, away with the last
of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake,
every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food
that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces
have vanished.
I won't have a cookie,
not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew
on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits,
or corn bread, or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot
and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome,
and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all,
and to all a good diet.

HAHA This is what my sister just sent me. I think my web cam must be playing up! She thinks I ATE my Christmas away!!! PMSL Cameras NEVER lie!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Hallo again, on this chilly Saturday evening! I went to town today with two of my boys. We came home with food, a helmet and padded motorbike jaket and pants...and no money left!!! I am really going to have to put the hours in this week!! Oh well, it was worth it, I can't keep my boy wrapped in cottonwool all his life, but at least now, he will be as protected as can be on a motorbike.
Was feeling a bit low this evening, as OH is away again. So I made a valentine card, used this cute TILDA. She is coloured with distresses, and then I have cut her out using oval nesties. She is matted on to core'd'nations and then I have cuttlebugged the heart background. The edgeing is an old dusty Fiskars border punch. The inside of the card has an insert of handmade pink paper, which is torn and hangs out the edges. Little pink blings which I THINK are from Dovecraft.
Some VERY RUDE lady said I waffle on my last post (PMSL) so I will make it short tonite! Enjoy your evening all!
HUGS
Jillx

ME AGAIN

Evening all! Well its turning chilly here again, -10 forecast tonight, and -15 tomorrow night! My OH is away (again) this weekend, so it will be just me and my boys. My eldest turns 15 next week, which is the legal age for a moped lisence here in Finland. He has worked hard and saved up, and bought himself a brand new bike, which is standing in all its glory in the garage, till he has a lisence. Now he claims he needs a new helmet and/or boots. So on Saturday, kids health permitting, we are off to a motorbike shop to go and choose a birthday present. My little one was sent home from nursery school today with a temp, he has got the dreaded cough that is attacking everyone. So we will just have to see how he is on Saturday. And over and above all that.......TA DAAAA..... I made a card. Just for a change, LOL, I used the dear little Tilda. I tried masking for the first time, and I think it worked. These are all from the new Valentine collection. I have coloured and inked with distresses, the lace and hat pin I bought locally. The big flower is "homegrown", and the smaller ones are ...can't remember! I am bad at this, as I rip open all new packets and put things in boxes, and then throw the wrappers away. (note to self..write down the manufacturers name on box!)
Well, I dont know yet if I shall have to stay at home tomorrow or take my little one with to work, as the nursery school wont take him tomorrow. You have to have a "fever free" day before going back. He does not mind going to work, I take the laptop and masses of DVDs, and put him in an empty office and gets to watch films. As it is my OHs shop, it goes OK. We will have to see what tomorrow brings. GAWD talk about waffling.... I think I will say Goodnite one and all. Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
TC and HUGS!!
Jillx
P.S. Don't just READ this....leave comments too!!!!!!

THANK YOU

Thank you to all you clever people out there, who know a thing or two about blogs! I now have a background. Now I just need to change the header!!!PMSL! All help greatly appreciated!!
Jillx

For a dear friend

Evening all, and I hope you have all had a good weekend! I am EXHAUSTED!!! My kids all have birthdays at this time of the year, and as we were away when my little one had his on the 3rd, we ran out of weekends to have parties, as the second one is the 9th. So yesterday, I had TWO kids parties. One starting at 14.00 and the other at 18.00. In all fairness they were well behaved, but to have 12 kids running round inside, is a bit hard on the nerves. Then today they all had friends to play, so I locked myself away and made a card. This if for a dear internet friend of mine in the UK, who kindly sends me suet at Christmas time so that I can make Christmas pudding. (they dont do suet in Finland). She is a collector of stamps, and I have been collecting for her for a while, so I made this wallet card, to send them in. I also enclosed a batch of images, as she does so much charity and church work, and all her cards go to a good cause. As ususal, I have used my dear friend Tilda, a Magnolia background stamp, and a bit of old lace, and my new found talent of making home made flowers. All coloured with distress inks, and the heart in her hand is stickeled. The words are from the cuttlebug friends folder, which I have then cut out and inked and poped up with foam pads. My newest toy, is a pricking tool (yes you also need one) which I used for the stitching.
Right, now that thats out the way, I need some help. Is there a clever blogger out there who can tell me how to fancy up my background. I hate this boring background and I want a fancy one like everyone else, but DONT KNOW HOW!!!! BOO HOOO And help will be greatly appreciated!
Well a full work week planned, as I have to make up for my Christmas break and I plan to take a week off in February. No work-no money!!!
So here is wishing you all a good week! TC, and HUGS
Jillx

BRRR.......

Good evening all! Well its still white in Finland, and I just wanted to share it with you! Sue, although I am no good at photos, every time I see a beautiful landscape, I think of you! LOL. This was a photo of the sunset this evening, taken from the front door. It has been rather chilly today, this morning when we woke up, it was -18! It has warmed up a bit now, but still very cold. The boys have spent the day skating, so they should all sleep well. I have taken down the Christmas tree and packed away, and cleaned..etc. etc. the usual! I want to go and get stuck into my craft room now, and pack away all the Christmas bits and bobs, and start thinking about Valentines day. I wanted to order the new Tilda stamps, but I cant seem to get very far with Magnolias web shop. It seems to have been out of order for a while now. One more day off for me, and then back to the grindstone for me. TC all and see you soon
HUGS
Jillx

A WEE BIT CHILLY

SUNSET IN NAGU