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

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Greetings from a cold and freezing north! It is still white here, and colder weather and more snow forecast. I have not got any cards to show, as I did not take any of my stash with me, as I thought I would not have time to craft. I wish I did now! I am passing time by playing WII, guitar hero, and watching all the latest kids movies.
We are having guests this evening which I am looking forward to. I thought I would just take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope that 2009 brings health and happiness to all. And for many of us, the opportunity to put 2008 behind us! TC all
HUGS
Jill

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..... It has been snowing all day and the Christmas feeling is ooooooozing through the door! We have come up country to our holiday home, and I am soooo enjoying the time off! Yesterday, the boys and I went off to our forest looking for a Christmas tree, and then chopped it down and dragged it home. It's now taken pride of place in the lounge now, and although its a bit skew...it looks lovely! This morning we got up early and went and did a big food shop, and I have started preparing all the trimmings for Christmas. My OH arrives tomorrow night and hopefully we will be all systems go. If time allows, I will shoot some more snowy pictures and share my white christmas with you all! TC and have a wonderful Christmas where ever you are. Jillx

Matchboxes

Greetings from Finland! Where does time go??? It was ages since I last posted, but I can promise, I have not been completly idle. I have made and sent all my Christmas cards, made and sent MOST of my gifts, made all these matchboxes, and in the process of making the last of my wine bottle cards. My youngest is at nursery school, and there are eight teaches in total, who all need gifts. I have made these matchboxes, and I will wrap them in cellophane with a candle. Got to get them wrapped by Friday.
Also today... I have made a big batch of shortbread, almond biscuits, and some other home made biscuit, 2 fruit cakes, and have pre cooked all my meals for the week! Am I effective or what!!!???!!! So hopefully I will be forgiven for not posting!
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and hopefully I will be a bit more active this week!
TC
Jillx

Snow fun

Greetings all. Just found this fun site thanks to Bekka. AND I MANAGED TO GET THE PITURE THINGIE!!! Go have look!
TC
JIllx

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Scoops, HAHA, and i don't know how to do all the technichal stuff! LOL So imagine there is a big blue "7" about here, and then I have to tell you 7 intresting things about myself. Then I have to pass it on to 7 people....but I don't know how to do that either! So all you blogg geniuses out there...HELP!!!
My seven things.....
1. I was born in South Africa, and am married to a Finn, and speak Swedish.
2. I have a 16 year old cat called Stinky. (well I love her to bits so it must be of intrest to someone!)
3. I have been crafting one way or another for years, but got into card making a few years ago.
4. The internet has played a HUGE part in my life. As my family are spread all round the world, we are all connected to Skype, so I "see" them regularly.
5. My OH has recently invested in a shop, a builders merchant and hardware. I spend a lot of time there now, which restricts my computer time.... now thats not fair! LOL
6. I am a foodie and LOVE to eat. (that explains my weight!)
7. I am the proud mother of four little terrors, all boys.
Right, OK so I am NOT that intresting, but what can you expect.....
Please someone help me pass this on!
Jillx

The morning after

Just a quickie to show you the effects of last nights snow storm! Enjoy
Jillx