New stamp sets

I should be feeling more relaxed now, as Saturday's demonstration, at Suzi Crafts in Stockton, was my last outing, work wise, for this year. Somehow, I feel just the opposite though, and my head is swimming with lists of things to be done, things to buy, things to send and, of course, bills to pay. The last being the one causing the most stress needless to say!

I'm also feeling very irritated just now as I decided that, before I put up any Christmas decorations, I must sort out the dreadful state of part of the ceiling in my work room come vestibule. The flat roof had been leaking very badly throughout the summer and, although it was fixed, I still hadn't redecorated the ceiling. It looked a sight really, big blobs of expansion foam coming through where some holes had been filled, paper coming away and lots of water marks of course. 

So, full of great confidence (!) I found some suitable wallpaper in a drawer in the garage, along with adhesive and a big brush. My confidence evaporated as quickly as the wallpaper unstuck itself from the ceiling! I couldn't even get it to hold up long enough to attach more than a few inches - what a disaster! I'm sure that the neighbours were very entertained if they were watching my Norman Wisdom like attempts - good thing they couldn't hear me...I don't swear as a rule, but I was getting pretty fed up!

Eventually I decided that this was just not a one woman job and....gave up. I switched plans and found some paint which I've daubed on for now. It looks frightful to be truthful - but will have to do for now. I think I'll get some textured paint which will cover the uneven surface but it will have to wait till new year now. It's hard with no one to help, though David always managed to work wonders with only my occasional assistance. So, although I might get some odd jobs rebuilding garden walls, I don't think I'll be picking up any work as a decorator!

Hello to everyone that I met on Saturday and thanks for all making me so welcome. It was a really fun day and what an enthusiastic bunch. Thanks too, to Tom and Sue for keeping me warm with a heater and coffees - as well as the chips and gravy for lunch....naughty but nice....they know how to make good gravy in the north east! I hope I'll be back there next year.

Yesterday was a good start to getting into the Christmas spirit. As well as the normal Sunday service at St Chads, there were two other special events that I attended. First was a late afternoon Christingle service which involved oranges decorated with sticks, sweets, ribbon and candles. The lights in the church were all turned out and the vicar told the story behind the Christingle oranges before lighting the first candle. Everyone came forward to take an orange and form a huge circle of people around the inside of the church and the flame was then passed from person to person. A really beautiful service and I loved the fact that even the children were holding the candles....nuts to the health and safety bureaucrats!

I then braved the cold and spent an hour or so browsing the village shop windows and having a coffee until the evening service which was an Advent celebration with music from the choir and lots of Carol singing. I walked home through the park (so nice to be somewhere that I feel safe walking in a park at night) and had a lazy evening on the sofa watching the box and getting warm again.

Well, that's been my weekend, and now, as promised, here are a few of my new stamp sets that will be available early next year. They are all  from my new "Doo-Lally-Pip collection"! I'll share more over the next few days. Here goes....

 .....this set is called "My purrfect pal" (CICSA6022) and I hope will appeal to other feline fanciers like myself. Being in the Doo-Lally-Pip series it has to have a quirky touch of course. Next up is....

 ....."Steamed up" (CICSA6025) which is one of my favourites of the new designs. I can't describe just how long this set took to draw! I don't use my computer to design with, except for some of my quotes and messages, so it does take hours for some very detailed images. Of course, when designing stamps, everything is literally black and white ie no grey shading allowed! So, any shadows have to be created with fine black lines which is what takes the time. I hope this will be a really useful set for journalling, altered art and cardmaking too of course. The next set is.......

...... "Behind the mask" (CICSA6028) with the Pierrot and Venetian mask. I really enjoyed drawing this set and I'll be using these images in my own journal I know. Here's a new quotes set.....

 .....this one is called "Create" (CICSA6026). My Creative Thoughts A5 set has been one of my most popular designs this year, so we have got several A6 quote collections this time. You will have to turn your necks round to read some of them I'm afraid, but we like to pack them onto the sheets! I'll share some of the other quote sets over the next few days. Finally for tonight......

 .....this is "My fragile heart" (CICSA6024) which will work for Valentine cards of course, but for journalling, tags and general cards too. 

That's all the sneaky peeks for now. The sets I've shown are all A6 size and are in the new Crafty Impressions section of the PI website. They'll be available from any store that stocks Personal Impressions products.

Well, it's time for me to go into the kitchen and rustle something up for dinner...not sure what yet, but I've really been trying to do some "proper" cooking lately, instead of relying on ready meals and cans. I actually made a vegetable curry last week that was pretty good if I say so myself, and Nigel Slater inspired me to make a fruit crumble (I did a sugar free version) that turned out really well. It's going to be either chicken fried rice or meatball spaghetti tonight depending on how I feel when I open the fridge!

I know I keep signing off like this lately, but do keep warm everyone.