PTA - stuff to do.

PTA meeting last night so things to do for that. Hubby and I may not be around for the Duck Race and are away for the School Fair but we are doing our bit before hand. He has made a set of stocks for the fair for the kids to chuck wet sponges at the teachers, at least that is what I think they are for! Take a look - handy with a hammer and nails, eh?

My chores will be baking for the cake stalls for both events and maybe some curds, and I have said I'll make up a Summer hamper. I make these at Christmas normally but thought it would make a good raffle prize. 

I seem to keep posting things about Christmas - came across a Facebook page the other day for devotees of the festive season; I think I should join!  These are some I did for friends and family a couple of years ago so it'll be along these lines but slightly different content, of course. I'm thinking of including homemade lemonade, orange curd, a cake and some sweet and savoury biscuits and a few other bits. I've bought butterfly shaped red, white and blue toppers, too, for the cupcakes I'm going to make.


Talking of baking, it's the half term cake bake for pre-school a week tomorrow so more cakes there! Good job I like baking!


Mentioning Christmas, again, makes me think how time flies or we make it go quickly by planning to do so many things to do in the future, I am guilty. Here is a card I finished on Tuesday on that very theme.



Must go as need to get petrol before I pick up my little fella from pre-school.

Things wot I make!

The creating part of my blog title includes paper crafting. I love to make greetings cards, tags, gift bags and small hanging decorations. I love Tim Holtz of Ranger; a wonderful creator of crafting materials and a truly inspirational person when it comes to crafting. Find his products and ideas at http://timholtz.com. I like to use lots of different nik naks on my cards like bottle corks and beer bottle tops, buttons and I love buying old books. I have a fantastic Cyclopedia from 1951 which is a mine of wonderful things to use on themed cards because it has maps and lists and information about all manner of things - I could read it all day!

Considering I have two small boys at school I am not too hot at making childrens' cards, but I'm improving with every birthday party we go to, and boy there seem to be a lot!

At the minute I'm making things for the Summer Craft Event I told you about the other day.This basket is all good to go but need to crack on with a bit more stock.

I have a Facebook page called Cards, Cakes and Bakes where you can see more of the things I make - https://www.facebook.com/HandcraftedcardsandhomebakedcakesbyLouise.
 
Right, other stuff to do now.

I know it is only May but..

....I see this every day and just felt I had to share this photo. I bought this Poinsettia in November 2010 and look at it!

I keep this in my spare room; there is just enough light from a Velux window and I water it once a week.

The walk with the boys this morning was just lovely and here are some of the views of our nearby reservoir.

And back to Christmas, sorry, we saw young pine cones growing which we will pick for festive decorations.

And, to spur myself on to do something about it, here is my little front garden in need of weeding.

Food and photos

Afternoon. I have posted on my Foody Fun page some of my favourite recipes to share with you. No pictures as yet but hope to add later. 

I also hoped to post more photos after a little walk out with my boys this morning. This was not possible as I use the lead from my husbands mp3 player with my camera and this is with him - he is not here. Never mind.

It occured to me that I have not mentioned that I am a member of the fab-u-larse Saddleworth Creative Network - find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/saddleworthhvn/. A group of like-minded people who love to, hopefully, keep calm and carry on crafting whilst promoting craft in the local area. Take a peek why don't you? Whilst I am at it I should share this with you, too. Such a great poster.

That's all for today but hope to share the photos tomorrow.

Caking and making!

When it comes to baking I love it! 

I do make cupcakes but I also love to make soda breads, loaf cakes, and different kinds of sweet offerings I think my boys and husband will love; my waistline suffers at times I must admit! But you have to taste your hard work don't you?!

Again, looking for photos from my baking efforts. So lets see what I can find.

This was my first ever effort at piping swirls - I was quite chuffed with myself!

A good example of my loaf cakes from Saddleworth Creative Network Craft Fair I took part in March.

Think I will leave it at that today. Getting better at this now, need to find some more photos to brighten things up a bit.

After accidentally putting my first post into the archive I hope I have more luck today! I am searching for some photos of around the house so hope this works. Here are a couple of pictures of where I do my paper crafting.

 

 I should point out I am not this tidy once in craft mode!