1000!

Hello friends

Yes today is my 1000th blog post! 

Incredible that I've typed so many!

My very first blog post was 12 October 2009 and admittedly I didn't blog 

daily back then but within a short time I was sharing my craft projects.

This was the very first craft item I posted - handmade bird houses with mini eggs.

I'm thinking I might revisit this project with a 2014 twist....

My blog has served as my crafting and family diary, so many events and milestones recorded

and even though it takes a great deal of my time I'm grateful I maintain it.

Also...I would never have made so many wonderful friends.

In celebration of 1000 I think it has to be a giveaway!

I would like you to leave an answer on today's post to this question:

If you could receive 1000 of something what would it be?

Just pop your answer down and the best answers (judged by Elliott) will be winners!
Yes winner(s)!  

I'm giving away three prizes...

New In'spire dies from Spellbinders!

Bird Stand

Celebration

On The Road

Elliott has said no use trying to bribe him by sending McDonalds!

Winners will be announced next week.

Have a lovely Sunday, I'm taking Elliott out for the day - still celebrating!

Take care friends and I'll be back tomorrow for 1001!

Two Visitors!

Hello friends

Look who has arrived Mr Barn Owl and

 Mr Fox

two new additions to the Felting Kits currently available
in the shop and on the website.

My rabbit is nearly up and hopping - you may have seen me post this picture on
Facebook this week, he now has one back leg - eagerly awaiting his second!

I have to say it is lots of fun and much quicker than I thought it would be,
I produced his head, body, ears and features during one episode of
Inspector George Gently!  Yes I'm behind with all my TV programmes,
I haven't even seen the last series of Downton!

The April Charity Kit is doing well - huge thanks to my Mum who is doing the
die cutting - she's a professional die cutter you know!

If you have received yours and completed it please feel free to post a
photo of it on the Hope and Chances Facebook wall -
it would be great to see them appear there.

Please, please stop by the blog tomorrow - something rather special...!!

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

Elliott and I sat and read your comments yesterday and we are blown away

by everyone's kindness, I truly have the best blog follower friends in the world -

thank you so much!

My gift to you is to write my daily blog, inspire you as much as I can 

and keep you crafting!

So, without further ado...Friday Die Day!

This week returning to the Create A Flower dies and it is the turn of the 

delightful Daisy - Create A Daisy to be precise.

There is 6 die templates in this set and, like the previous Create A Flower

dies, the petals are all on one die template - here you also have the middle petals

on one die too - they look like teeth with roots attached!

Cut/embossed.

You see...they do look a bit like teeth with roots attached!

I've chosen to start with the middle of my daisy, cut/embossed, curled and inked the edges.

You then attach them to the star shaped base, I cut extra to make a nice full middle.

Keep curling over those little petals to made a nice rounded middle.

Put that aside to dry and then move onto the petals. 

There are 5 sizes, I cut/embossed 10 of each,

remember you cut 5 at a time (one of each size) with them all being on one die template.

Bend them a little and ink the edges.

Using the flower bases, attach a petal to each point until you have 5 layers.

Stack them in size order.

Place your centre in the...centre!

A ruler in place to show you the size.

The finished Daisy - oh I like this one too!

I am doing a Create A Flower Masterclass at The Artistic Stamper,

details are here.  In between the Create A Daisy is available to pre-order on the website

here - these really are on their way!!

 

STOP PRESS!!

Just heard from my supplier that all the Create A Flower dies (apart from Create A Lily)

will be arriving at the shop today - if you have pre-ordered they will be definitely be on their way!

Happy crafty news!

Take care friends and a million thanks again for all the comments yesterday.

Have a great weekend - Elliott has some celebrating to do and yes,

McDonalds will feature too!

One year on...

Hello friends

Today isn't a craft post but hoping you will not mind...

I want to share with you the elation in the Emberson household!

Yesterday at the hospital we received the results of Elliott's MRI scan and we couldn't be happier.

After diagnosis last April, brain surgery last May, six weeks of radiotherapy, CT scans, eye tests,

sessions with a psychology team, daily injections, so many blood tests we have lost count,

a cocktail of drugs morning and night (and more..)

his brain tumour is finally shrinking!  

It will never disappear but if it remains "deactivated" then all is good - hurrah hurrah! 

Unless his eyesight worsens, he will not need another MRI for six months.

Just the thought of going through one week without a hospital appointment is such a treat for Elliott, incredible how illness in life can change how you view things.

For those of you who have met my boy, you will know he never moans and always has a smile.

I am amazed at how he has coped - far better than me at times!

We know that we couldn't have got through many days without the kindness and support 

of our online friends - that's all of YOU so gargantuan hugs are being sent out 

through Blogger-sphere today!

Take care friends and wishing you a wonderful day.

Charity Kit!

Hello friends

Today I'm delighted to bring you April's Charity Kit.

This month a pretty gift box with a Create A Gerber Daisy.

A good opportunity for you to try out the Create A Flower designs
before they hit our shores!

 Within each kit you will receive:

Create A Gerber Daisy die cuts (34 in total!)

Die cut Square Petal Top Box

Die cut Tag

Metal rose charm

Ribbon

Twine

3D Foam Squares

Full instructions

Lucky Number

The box and tag is die cut from top quality cream linen cardstock from Papermill

and the Gerber Daisy and foliage is Bazill card.

The price including postage and packing is £5.50 (Mr Royal Mail has put his prices up again!)
I have placed a PayPal button below but if you prefer to pay by debit/credit card and
combine the kit with anything else you may need, they are available on the website here.

£5.50 - Charity Kit - April 2014

Remember within every kit you receive a lucky number,
the draw for this will be the beginning of next month and the price is a goodie box
full of Spellbinders, stamps, adhesive and more!

Thanking you in advance for your amazing support to the two charities
very close to the Embersons - Ronald McDonald House, Camberwell and
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Some further news on the Tool n'One.

According to the US distributor it looks like Spellbinders are shipping them out
tomorrow/Friday so very much hoping they arrive in the UK beginning/mid next week.

I feel the frustration! 

I know we are all eagerly awaiting them and the original dates provided 

have been stretched a little....I promise to keep you all updated.

I've yet to get my hands on a Tool n'One -
I did manage to glimpse one at the trade show in Birmingham!

We are heading back to The Royal Marsden today for Elliott's MRI results
so some positive thinking and lots of fingers and toes crossed :)

Take care friends.

Spring and Winning News!

Hello friends

1st of April!  How did that happen??

I promise no April Fool's in this blog post :)

This is the card I made for my Mum for Mother's Day,

very Springlike and featuring Graphic 45 - Secret Garden, Sprigs and Blooms Four.

Today's card has been featured on the Crafty Power blog here -

all visits and comments very much appreciated :)

I like placing photo corners onto my cards, it gives them a nice finished touch,

excellent that you can ink them too.

As mentioned, I was treated very well by my boys on Mother's Day.

I love every single one of my gifts and just knowing they went shopping and

selected them is very touching.  I should have photographed the cards -

they are superb at selecting cards - haven't got them making them quite yet!

Also today announcing the winner of the knitted squares Baby Blanket of Love.

The winner is ticket number 37 - Jane Willis.

Congratulations Jane - please email: hope-chances@live.co.uk

with your address details and the blanket will be on its way to you.

Thank you to all those who purchased raffle tickets,

such a good cause and talking of good causes....

April's Charity Kit is being announced tomorrow!

Take care friends.