Artist Trading Cards, Cats & Life!

GODDESS CARDS

2010-05-17T04:42:00.000-07:00

Climagest HRT

2010-01-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

I saw my GP today and asked if her would put me on HRT. Yes, it's 'the change'! I've been having sweats in the night which wake me up and it's horrible. I guess feeling low sometimes and lack of energy could be put down to it as well. Recent thinning hair problems could also be due to the menopause. Anyway, he went through a few things and suggested the lowest dose of combined pill he could find which was Climagest 1mg taken daily. The first 16 blue pills contain 1mg of estradiol valerate. The remaining 12 white pills contain the same plus 1mg of norethisteron which is a man-made form of progesterone. I am thinking positive, hoping that I will feel much better and not have any more hot or night flushes, but at the back of my mind I am expecting all sorts of horrendous side effects. I am really not sure if I am doing the right thing by taking these pills but hey ho. We'll just have to wait and see.

ReverbNation Detachable Player

2010-01-19T11:35:00.000-08:00

ReverbNation Detachable Player

Photo taken at the Qube bar at Christmas 10

2010-01-11T04:16:00.000-08:00

Most recent photo

2010-01-10T09:55:00.001-08:00

I'm loving this 50's vid

2010-01-07T21:29:00.001-08:00

This is a vid of Raymond or Mr Teasie Weezie as he was known.How dapper does he look? !!! And those hair colours!!!

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=11708

LOVELY OLD VID

2010-01-07T06:17:00.000-08:00

Nick Bantock style postcards

2010-01-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

Mail art - four Nick Bantock inspired post card size collages that are going to be made by Sue Young into a book for the Advanced Artist Trading Card group. I used original stamps, rubber stamps, chalks and also genuine old documents for the addresses. They were such fun to do and gave me a chance to use some very old zettiology rubber stamps I got on ebay about 5 years ago and never used.

Cosmic fancy dress from 11 years back

2010-01-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

I've just found this pic of me taken about 11 years ago - at a fancy dress party when husband and I dressed as aliens. I wore a blue wig with two copulating aliens on my head....like you do!

Where did the years go???

2010-01-06T06:12:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to friends and family. Wow! What a fabulous night we had. Our original plans seemed like they were scuppered when the venue was withdrawn. So we bought tickets for another bash, only to be told at the 11th hour that the original plans were up and running again. So we put on our best 'alternative' clothing (in my case an outrageous 80's mutton chop sleeved red n black polkadot jacket, red satin vintage corset, seamed stockings, red patent platform , false lashes and WILD backcombed hair) and made our way to Mass, Brixton, London. It was a cold night but there was no queue. We arrived at 10.15 pm and so we could park easily. It was like old times - uniting with our old clubbing pals and acting silly. Such fun! I had my photo taken in the photobooth with a stuffed tiger! Now it's the day after and we've just been chilling out at home, recouperating. No hang over though, that's a bonus!

Nina's Christmas

2009-12-26T01:49:00.000-08:00

Here's my mum in the nursing home. She pulled a cracker and inside was an egg cup. She was thrilled with all the presents she received especially the lovely nightdress she got from my brother and sister in law and the little snow man ornament which we attached to her hanging light switch. She also had slippers, scarves, chocs, perfume, and body cream.

Christmas at home 2009

2009-12-26T01:32:00.000-08:00

We were at home this year for Christmas. Early in the morning we visited my elderly mother in the nursing home. Afterwards I cooked the Christmas dinner - lobster cocktail followed by roast chicken although my husband chose pheasant and you can see in the picture I gave him a whole one which he almost finished! Then we opened all our pressies! Wow, such lovely things! Afterwards we watched a couple of DVD's and then went to bed having eaten and drunk waaaay too much!

Tarin - the Alien Daughter in the Bath

2009-12-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

7 gypsy cards atc's

2009-12-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

IPL laser on my hands.

2009-12-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

On Monday I had I.P.L. laser treatment to blast away the brown age spots on the back of my hands. Can't say it was pleasant, but it wasn't unbearable. It's Thursday now and the areas are turning brown(er!) and scabbing. In a week I should have blemish free hands. Cost was £100 (I got a discount of £50 for introducing a friend!) UPDATE... I have added an after photo taken on Boxing day when all the brown spots have fallen off.

1940's hairstyle with accessory for Lulu

2009-12-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

Here is a '40's up do I did for Lulu with an accessory...

Simon Cowell was in Colchester tonight!

2009-12-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

Drag me back, screaming. Demi god Simon Cowell (all bow in awe and wonder), was in Colchester at..."the leisure centre" !!!... tonight, with one of his Essex boy wonder prodiges.

Tickets were free (says it all really, doesn't it!) but nevertheless, the road was choc a block full of cars wanting to get of glimpse of the Almighty with his sidekick Olly Mars from just-down-the-road Whitham. Good luck to you both !

Judi Dench Facelift ??

2009-12-09T13:35:00.000-08:00

Anyone out there noticed that Judi Dench suddenly looks a little , well, 'lifted' ??

I am sure she has had some work done. A bit of cosmetic surgery. A face lift ? A bit of tightening around the jaw line perhaps? A few fillers maybe?

Good on you Judi. Way to go girl!!

My brother's nasty experience today...

2009-11-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

This afternoon there was a hell of a bang outside the shop and when I looked there was a three car collision a lady had gone straight through a red light and smashed into this car being driven by this expectant mother ,oh my god not a pretty sight, I was first one out there and turned a car off. The expectant mother had to be cut out of the car by the jaws of life, bleeding like hell, don't think they both made it. That corner is bad news especially when cellphones are used, as was the case.

2009-11-11T23:56:00.000-08:00

Enchanted Garden ATC

2009-11-11T23:55:00.001-08:00

new cards I've made

2009-11-10T09:20:00.000-08:00

Faith has come home for a few days

2009-11-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

And a photo of my great grandma ?

2009-11-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

They say she was a bit of a gal!

Brother and sister in law from 1969

2009-11-10T09:11:00.001-08:00

Halloween's Torture Garden Outfit

2009-11-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

Here are the professionally taken photos of my outfit. I do look suitably scarey in these!

Radial nerve damage update

2009-11-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

In March 2008 I damaged my humerous bone and as a resulting op, the radial nerve. If you've recently had something similar please read my blog as I am sure it will help. Here is an up date....The scar has faded to something that is almost un noticable - yes - really! And as for pain, movement etc I am barely aware of my injury. There are some movements that are painful (squeezing a mop for example or turning the car steering wheel hard to the right) but otherwise I would not know there was anything much wrong. There is still numbness in my thumb but I've got used to it. And so. I live to fight another day!!

It's been a while...

2009-11-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

but here we are with some new pics

What I have been up to

2009-08-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

Quite a lot has happened since my last blog. Mum has been to hospital but is now back and feeling a lot better. We had our garage broken into and stuff was taken. Nothing too bad. The cats are still up to their normal naughty tricks. Faith is in Australia but back on the 29th. She will get her A level results on 20th - fingers crossed she has got onto the course she wanted. Tarin is off to uni very soon too, in Edinburgh. She and I did a car boot sale the other sunday and she took £150!! I have prepared Faiths room as a guest suite. Next to 'do over' is the 'pit' which is Tarin's room. I'm going for the shabby chic look, with new bed linen in a very pretty patchwork design. Yesterday I worked very hard organising the craft room, labelling all the storage boxes and chucking out stuff. Great! I am back at the chiropractors again with my back - very sore in the right hip and left shoulder blade.

2009-07-22T13:31:00.001-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2FNZtrillion&h=c21ea4651ce161fb1f88907d530e178f

2009-07-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

At last I found the track that they play on chill radio that features a sample of my friend Valeria's voice!!!! Here is the link

http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=598198&song=Transmit+Fantastic

Nina's 88th birthday

2009-07-09T12:49:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was my mother's 88th birthday. She is rather frail these days but was overjoyed when my brother appeared as a speacial surprise, from the USA. Here they are and with my youngest daughter too. Despite ngfrail she still has all her 'marbles' and makes sure she has her hair looking nice and make-up done every morning.

Here she is with my youngest daughter....

and undoing one of her cards with my brother...

UK mobile phone users can now go x directory

2009-07-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/8091621.stm

2009-07-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

2009-07-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

Intelligence Crow
Uploaded by loudestspeaker. - Discover more animal videos.

2009-06-15T02:12:00.000-07:00

This is just SO funny - it's a spoof on the show The Apprentice using lots of clips sectioned together!
So clever!

Car Boot Sale Tips

2009-06-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

Whaahoo!! Out of interest I entered the words Car Boot Sale Tips into search engine Google, and my guide came out SECOND on the page out of a total of 1million and 30 thousand! Here it is....

Here is my guide to practical car boot sale buying and selling. Below I give useful tips on buying and selling.... plus.... what's hot to offer, and what's not!
Car boot sales (garage sales) can be small affairs, such as a one-off school fund raiser or massive, carefully managed regular events. Charity car boot sales are fun, friendly and less commercialised but at large car boot sales you'll find three types of seller - caterers, market traders (selling mainly new items) and private sellers (folks who have had a 'clear out' and are selling their unwanted clutter).
It's the latter that car boot enthusiasts often find most exciting and for whom the following tips are intended.
AS A BUYER, DO.....
...buy a local paper to find out when and where you nearest car boot sale is, check on line or simply ask around
...be prepared to get there VERY early if you want to find the bargains
...take plenty of small change and small notes with you, but leave your credit cards and other valuables behind
...keep the notes safe and your small change somewhere accessible
...take lots of carrying bags, a rucksack or a trolley if you have one
...dress very warmly in winter
...tie a carrier bag on your car aerial so that you can find it easily later (hoping that not everyone has done the same of course!)
...take a few business cards if you have them, you never know when they might be useful
...put your car keys in a very safe place (I once lost mine around a car boot sale in a field - and it was nightmare!)
...leave your dog and / or small children at home especially in hot weather if you possibly can.. If you really have to take the kids, give them a small amount of cash as spending money and tell them once it's gone, it's gone.. (I used to have two rules when mine were little - they were not to leave my side or to ask for anything around the boot sale except to visit the loo!)
...decide what you are looking for before you arrive, and begin to train your eye, as you walk along the lines, to pick out only those things (otherwise all you will see is an ocean of junk !)
...if you are buying with view to selling on e-bay, make sure items not prohibited, but saleable and with sufficient profit, or you will be throwing money down the drain!
...cover the area methodically either looking down the left side and then the right side of the lane or walking more slowly taking in both sides at once
...show a little politeness and let sellers unpack a bit before diving headlong into their car boots looking for bargains!
...have a good look on, under, around and past the seller's table, because some of the more interesting or special items may be out of harms way
...make sure when buying that any sticky price labels on items will come off without damage - if they leave a mark you have good reason for further discount!
...be prepared to walk around the car boot sale a second time because other people will have turned over the merchandise and may have uncovered something interesting
... haggle, but not unreasonably. Pitches cost money and sellers deserve a decent price for good quality items.
...smile when you ask the price - it might just get you a discount.
...don't waste your pennies on buying things that have moisture sensitive adhesives at car boot sales - like envelopes, cigarette papers etc. Chances are, the seller will have had them out in the rain on previous occasions and they just won't be that good. Such items are cheap to buy in the shops so it's really not worth the risk.
...make sure you have a good look at what you're buying - after all, you won't be able to take it back for refund if it's got faults! Ask questions. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
...ask for a discount if you are buying multiple items
...consider carefully before parting with large amounts - it's easy to get carried away in the excitement and spend more than you intended. If you are not sure, leave your number with the seller and negotiate after the fair is over if appropriate.
...come back later and re-negotiate if something was too expensive earlier on (sellers often reduce prices later in the day or if the weather gets bad)
...avoid large impulse buys as it is becomming increasingly difficult to dispose of large unwanted items at refuse tips
....don't take out with you any more money than you can afford to spend as buying at car boot sales can be quite addictive!
...avoid leaving precious purchases with sellers for safe keeping - they may go home early or even resell to someone else for a higher price (poor practice, but it happens!)
...draw your car up closer to the seller's stall when collecting bulky or heavy items, rather than trying to lug it back miles through the crowds.
AS A SELLER, DO...
...your research on e bay if you have any items to sell that may be of value (try the 'completed listings' option in 'advanced search' to give an accurate idea bearing in mind that e bay is an international and not local trading place)
...make sure you have a pasting table or two and plastic sheeting if it decides to rain.
...go with someone else (it's so much easier as you can take it in turns to serve and it's more fun with two)
...get everything ready the night before, check the weather forecast and pack the car
...check the pockets of sale clothing for money and other valuables
...take plenty of small change, small notes, pen and paper, flask, picnic, carrier bags, a chair and bin liners
...try to have the children minded, as they can get bored, irritable or can even wander off
...consider making your stall stand out from the crowd with a colourful tablecloth, signboards or have some other attraction (see below)
...choose a sunny pitch away from big muddy puddles
...arrive early
...be prepared for the 'boot-divers' and ask over-eager buyers to wait until you have unpacked the car (unfortunately it's at this time that items often go 'missing' so be firm and vigilant)
...consider waiting, say 15 mins after arriving, for the dealers to drift off before unpacking if you don't want this type of trade
...leave a gap between your sale area and your neighbours so that people can get between them (unless you want your items trodden on!)
...keep your car doors locked when you are serving, and your takings somewhere safe
...display some clothes on a (sturdy) rail putting your most colourful eyecatching items in front and some in a pile - people love to rummage!
...display your most saleable items where they can best be seen and touched e.g. dvd's, electronics, cakes and jams, digital cameras, mobile phones, perfumes etc on the table but less saleable things like kids cuddly toys old shoes or household junk on a sheet on the ground
...if you can, arrange in themes, e.g. all your cosmetic items in one place, framed pictures in another, etc so that there is a logic to your stall.
...have a look at your stall from the other side, the buyer's perspective - does it look attractive / inviting / interesting? Is everything displayed to it's full potential? Can people get to the stall itself to pay, or is there too much stuff in front of it?
...if you have several tables or dress rails, consider a semi cirular arrangement - psychologically it's snug and inviting, and it gives buyers less chance for their attention to wander to the next stall!
...spread your stuff out to the sides so that people can see what it is you're offering.
...state the price firmly with no upward inflection in your voice. So, for example, answering to a price quiery with "£3 ??" sounds like you're inviting your buyer to beat you down on price.
...charm your would-be customers with some friendly banter (not easy if you've been up since 5 a.m., I know!)
...resist the urge to price things with labels. It may seem like a nice idea but it puts buyers off - let them ask the price and perhaps haggle with you. They can also leave marks on the items. The downside of this suggestion is that you and your helper(s) have to remember prices quoted
...keep in mind why you are there - is it to just get rid of as much stuff as quickly as possible or to make as much money as you can? Charge accordingly!
...use the tactics of the supermarkets and advertise 'buy one get one free' offers if it suits your purpose
...offer to mind heavy or bulky purchases while the buyer continues to walk around the sale (but sure they make a note of how to find you again and tell them what time you plan to leave!)
...take part or full payment for any items you agree to deliver, not forgetting the buyers telephone number and address of course!
...have a walk around the boot sale yourself and grab any bargains you see - you might even resell them on your stall and maybe make a profit!
...leave fake, dangerous or illegal goods at home
...don't sell knives, lighterfuel etc to underage kids
...try to be impersonal about your personal items (e.g. no buyer really wants to know that you wore that nightdress when you were in labour with your fourth child!)
... when it's over, take all your unsold items home - charity shops are grateful for saleable items but not rubbish! Recycle what is left.
...keep smiling, and just hope it will all have been worth it!
Sellers - here's how to clear that trash and make some cash!....
READ THIS... I virtually furnished my home and the family's wardrobe from car boot sales! I have sixteen years of regular, national and international car booting experience and (for what they're worth) here are my observations......
Things that I have seen sell well, especially when in good condition and nicely presented, either rare or very up to date, are collectables such as vinyl singles and LP's, 40's 50's and now 60's bric a brac / clothing / accessories or furniture, goth clothing, genuine branded designer clothing & accessories, recent GCSE revision books, clothes for larger people, leather suitcases, dvd's (especially those for small children), mannequins, Mason & Pearson hair brushes, old dress rails, designer toiletries and cosmetics, terry nappies, latest electronics, old photo albums, granny's embroidered linen, patchwork quilts, eiderdowns and her Lloyd loom furniture, digital cameras, anything to do with glamour photography, stiptease or burlesque, mobile phones, diy / garden tools and equipment, ghd hair straighners, antique jewellery, padded coat hangers, quality boxed items in unused condition, wooden ironing boards, well presented home baked goods, garden produce, brewery memorabilia, technical books (unless they are dated), veterinary and animal husbandry books, sporrans, old perfume bottles, fake pot plants.
TIP - It's worth considering buying in a few sweets, cans of drinks, tissues and wet-wipes - they're great to offer at the front of the stall to attract mums with small kids.

Things that don't normally to sell well are basically things that were cheap or common place when they were new -like cuddly toys, cookware, toiletries, supermarket clothing and accessories. Also dolls dressed in knitwear by some granny or other, odd rolls of wall paper, SLR cameras, used underwear, clothes sized 8, Christmas decorations in summer, naff ornaments, carpet off cuts, used candles, anything broken, dirty animal cages, kitchen gadgets that clutter up your cupboards like yoghurt or bread making machines, china, tea /coffee sets, place mats, second hand wigs, drinking glasses, fondu sets, cocktail sets, foot spas, used shabby furniture that's too big for the average car to transport, toys or books that are out of fashion, half finished craft projects, knitting machines or any machine without it's instuctions, novelty items such as singing fish (!), oversized pot plants, ice buckets, '90's fashion, cd's that came free with the sunday papers.
Things you might assume will sell well but you'll be very lucky if they do includes anything not very p.c.like smoking related items, stuffed creatures, genuine fur (don't even think about offering anything made from an endangered animal!) Also forget about retiring on the profits you'll make from...dated but quality hi fi / computing / tv.equipment, old hairdressing clippers, Franklin Mint plates or similar 'limited edition' items, Pokemon cards and the like, 'Beanies', odd bits of china, sheepskin coats, used boots and shoes, alcoholic miniatures, old typewriters, 'Just the Right Shoe' collectables, musical instruments, sewing machines, pictures in cross stitch, popular videos / cassette tapes / cd's, most curtains (except perhaps vintage or Laura Ashley), designer childrens wear, wedding / bridesmaid / evening dresses, posh hats, massive stuffed toys, uniforms, treasured collections of things, gym equipment.
Things that catch the eye and draw people to your stall are items that make people talk and smile! You're looking to invite comments like 'Oh, I had one of those' or 'I've always wanted one of them', or 'I remember using these' etc. A radio or cd player for sale with some popular music on will not only prove the item works, but will attract attention. If you are selling a guitar and can play it - do! Another caring yet cunning trick is place a bowl of water on the ground - thirsty dogs will then drag their owners to your stall! If you have a highly desirable piece like a statue or mannequin that will attract people, bring it along -just for display. ( I know a seller who has a Marylin Monroe bust on her stall - she'd never part with it, but it gets people interested. ) Once attracted, watch how buyers are inclined to touch, to talk, to try and to buy! Books on cars, old copies of Bizarre or Playboy, gardening tools, record collections and DIY stuff always seem to attract guys, (even if, in reality, they can't knock a nail in straight!). Vintage or antique items, kitchenalia, old photo albums, ladies hats, handbags, Moses baskets, parasols, long evening gloves, old corsets, enamel or china chamber pots, button collections, designer labels, home baked goods, pots of local honey, anything tartan, leopardskin or animal print, bright colours especially pink, sequins, lurex, snakeskin, beads, jewellery, sunglasses, feather boas, fur (real or fake), luxury goods, incense sticks (burning), mannequins, wooden chests, things that make people smile - like dresses with huge shoulder pads, kinky stuff, fancy dress items, shell suits or 6" stilettoes are all items that will get your stall noticed, and your trash turned into CASH!
Oh, and if you can, do think about taking a metal detector around the field when everyone has gone, if allowed - you'll be amazed at what you can find!
P.S. The most unlikely thing I have ever seen being offered for sales was someones recent wedding album, complete with photos! (since writing this I have been e mailed by someone who had theirs stolen! so a word of warning... do remember what you are being offered at a car bootie may not be....er...'theirs to sell'!)
I am sure there is lots more information I could include but that's probably enough for now. I give permission for this guide to be copied providing I am given credit for my work. I have other guides which are really kewl and need your YES votes....
on vintage clothing
on identifying vintage furs
on the care of fur
on buying shoes on e bay
ten e bay listing tips to save moeny
on fetish clubs
PLEASE READ AND RATE THEM!
Do contact me if you you have a car bootie tip you think I should include!
If you have found this article helpful or entertaining please 'up' my score by give it a positive rating in the box below.
Thanks for your time.
By Dressing-2-Kill
update message from max the cat
Thank you for your guide to being a car boot sale buyer or seller. I enjoyed reading it and agree with almost all of your observations - got some good tips too. I too am a regular car-booter and there was one thing i thought was missing, particularly for those sellers who are having a clear-out. Always take everything with you. Never look at a naff item and decide to leave it behind because it won't sell. That is the item that will more than likely be the first to sell! Also, always be enthusiastic about your customer's choice of purchase, even if you can't understand for the life of you why they are buying it. For example, last week a lady bought a single book end! I offered her the second one at no extra charge, but she only wanted the one! Who was I to argue? And the guy who bought up my entire collection of ladies scarves (out of fashion and not selling) was a big neckerchief-wearer. It wasn't my place to point out the feminine and frilly nature of the products!

2009-06-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

Somehow, some litttle f***ing toe-rag has got hold of my credit card number and has used it, it date, to buy mobile phone top-ups, I-tunes, and to open an e bay account!!!! This means that my credit card has been cancelled and a new one has been issued. I am really rather p***ed off about it!!! Thanks goodness they haven't accessed anything more serious! Meanwhile on the 17th June husband and I are off to Mykonos.

Here is the live web cam streaming if you want to catch site of me walking around the port area.

http://mykon.net/livestream/livestream.htm

Lady - snowleopard cat (half siamese, half Bengal)

2009-06-02T00:03:00.000-07:00

Photos of Fagan the Bengal cat

2009-06-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

ebay for sale items

2009-06-01T09:13:00.001-07:00

Lots of items for sale at the moment - mixed media kits, clothing and vintage and designer clothes. ... - just type in Dressing-2-Kill in the search engine. Thanks for looking!!!

Hornet and maybug

2009-06-01T02:15:00.000-07:00

Look what Leah very nearly caught this morning as it flew into the bedroom. She swiped it to the floor with her paw, but it went under the bed so she couldn't get it. I was able to put her out of the bedroom and then catch the hornet under a glass before it could sting her. She would have died from the sting of a hornet, as she's only a little cat. I photographed it next to a ruler through the glass jar. I have not seen one this close up before. They really are MUCH bigger than wasps..

In fact all the woodland and parks in this area must be a haven for insects because last night Richard and I went for a cycle and a maybug nearly flew into me. This is what they look like...

Hand drawn hooded crow

2009-05-23T00:04:00.001-07:00

Here is one of four hand drawn hooded crow ATC's I have done for the hooded crow swap of A ATC UK hosted by Sheree Rose. I used a fine ink pen and crayons. The picture is copied from a book on British birds.

2009-05-19T02:27:00.000-07:00

Neighbour's car is smashed up!

2009-05-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Just look what happens when you upset folks around here....

This evening while my daughter was in, but we were out, a car drew up outside our row of houses. The driver got out with an AXE and put through the back and side windows of our neighbour's Mercedes sports car, denting the roof and the boot. I am not sure what the owner had done to deserve this but the driver strolled back to his car and drove off. So far the police have not been to investigate. Several neighbours witnessed the attack. I am so glad the culprit didn't do the same to all our cars!

Paris themed atc

2009-05-06T01:13:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the cards I made for Carolyn Utter's Advanced ATC UK swaps - 'Paris'

Accordian Chunky Book Pages

2009-05-06T01:06:00.001-07:00

These atc's are to be made by the hostess of the swap (Alison Brandist) into an accordian style book on the subject of theatre. I went with the fan dancer / exotic dancer images I had and then went to town with fibres, papers, eyelets, feathers stamping etc. Great fun to do!

amazing gynmnast

2009-05-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dy19a951yw

Diana Dors

2009-03-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

and this video is just great. What a shame Diana dors is no longer with us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3hfjQ_JkM8

2009-03-06T11:26:00.000-08:00

This vid had me crying with laughter....

watercolour pencil technique

2009-02-14T12:22:00.000-08:00

My pretty little bingo wings

2009-02-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

Here are 6 cards I made recently for VPI's bingo card background swap. Comments welcome.

Cheap mounts for your un mounted stamps

2009-02-12T13:49:00.000-08:00

Here's a tip that works really well. I know I shouldn't but I just LOVE wood mounted rubber stamps. If, like me, you have lots of un mounted red rubber stamps, the chances are they linger in a box somewhere, and because they are not mounted on wooden blocks, and they just get forgotton. Well, today I went to a shop locally called What! - it's a very cheap import shop everything from matresses to washing powder - with some -standard craft stuff along the way. The sell some wood mounted stamps (complete with ink!) for just 99p each. The design of the stamp are quite boring ('Noel' , 'Mon Amour' etc.) but the black sponge mount covers the whole of the 4.5 cm x 6 cm stamp. So what I did was buy some, rip off the naff rubber stamp and replace it using superglue with my own precious rubber stamps. Then I just printed off a label with the image on it and stick it over the top. See the photo. Works a treat! Obviously I am tied to the size, but I will definitely be mounting more stamps like this for my collection.

Leah the 'full on' cat

2009-02-09T02:54:00.000-08:00

My goodness, she may only be tiny, but little Leah, the latest of addition to out feline family is a really full on cat. I was changing the bed sheets today and the job took me twice as long becuase Leah was 'helping' me - in and out of the covers, jumping up for hugs and attention, fighting with the discarded pillow cases, purring and smiling and padding with her paws all the time. Ah we just love her ! Little lady and Fagan look very lazy in comparison to her!

Etsy collage altered art sets for sale

2009-02-09T02:36:00.001-08:00

I am advertising some sets like this on etsy for collage and altered art work - buyers get this set or something very similar. Go to etsy.com - LADYCHERIE's shop.

Blank ATC's and 4x4 pages

2009-02-09T02:26:00.000-08:00

If you hate having to cut your own ATC's or chunky book pages to size in matt (mount) board here is a company that will do it for you....
For example here was my latest order.....

100 ATC cards and additional 50 4x4's for a total cost of £18 which includes UK postage.

Send payment and order to to tamzinmike@aol.com

And one more

2009-02-09T02:23:00.001-08:00

...and here is another altered cabinet card I made last night again featuring washers, wire, screws, and other bits that had got thrown into a button collection I am clearing out.

Two new cabinet cards

2009-02-08T01:18:00.000-08:00

Here are two cabinet cards I altered this week. Sorry the photos are a bit dark ( it's wintery grey outside today and so the light is poor even with flash photography.) I used antique lace and parts fround in an old button box for the assemblage.

Provence Chunky Book

2009-02-03T05:01:00.000-08:00

Sue has recently offered to host a swap for the Advanced ATC UK Yahoo group entitled Dreams of Provence. We are asked to capture the whole ambiance and colours of the district which is reknowned for it's medieval crumbling buildings, shaggy chic style, poppies, sunflowers, lavender fields, warm sunshine - and colours of blue, lavender, yellow and ochre. Van Gough was a famous resident and the colours are reflected in his art. I had fun researching the project, which, in my normal fashion I just HAD to get completed way ahead of time! (once I get the bit between my teeth, there is just no stopping me!). Here are the photos.....

Leah

2009-01-17T09:41:00.000-08:00

Here are the first photos of Leah - the 18 month old brown spotted Bengal from Sara Kingston in Norfolk. Many many thanks to her for allowing me to become Leah's willing slave. Leah likes fresh meat and just a few Royal Canin biscuits. Her tummy seems fine on this regime. She sleeps on top of the wardrobe in a cat bed, or INSIDE my bed, under the duvet! She just purrs and comes for cuddles all the time. She is also very inquisitive - there is not a shelf or cupboard she hasn't explored! Love love love her! Fagan and Little Lady have taken to her really well...and now they are playing together. Great!

check out my new web site!!!

2009-01-16T00:33:00.001-08:00

http://retrohair.webs.com/

2009-01-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HBe2KVk5rJI

If you watch this little Youtube clip you will see why I chose Bengal cats to be a slave to. this lady is a full time slave to 83 of them! I am very pleased to announce that a thrid Bengal (female) had joined our household. She is totally adorabel - a brown spotted 18 month old from the Sarikakings household in Norfolk. It was a bleak and damp Monday this week when I collected her. She was in the front room with her feline mum and grandma - all inquisitive affectionate busy bodies! Thanks so much to Sara who allowed me to have her....she has fitted in with the other two really well.

2009-01-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

Faith and Chris went to their work's christmas 'do' tonight.

Mouse update....

2009-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

Not just one mouse....BUT SEVEN!

We caught seven mice in the area beneath the sink in the kitchen over just a couple of days.

Cats and mice!

2008-12-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

It appears we have a MOUSE in the kitchen. It's been very cold recently, well below freezing most nights, and little field mice come to find warmth and shelter I guess. Anyway, I noticed some droppings in the cupboard under the sink and my husband has taken the plinth off from underneath. Typical, isn't it. You buy two of the best mouse-hunting mammals known to man, feed and house them and they can't even earn their keep by catching a mouse!! (Actually with the price of decent worming tablets from the vets, I think it's been cheaper to buy a couple of mouse traps!)

CHRISTMAS PHOTOS

2008-12-28T07:13:00.001-08:00

FOR SALE ON ETSY

2008-12-28T07:00:00.001-08:00

I HAVE THE FOLLOWING LOTS FOR SALE ON ETSY AT THIS ADDRESS....

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5348001

THESE ARE GREAT LITTLE VINTAGE BITS AND PIECES FOR ALTERED ART WORK, ASSEMBLAGE, VINTAGE PROJECTS, ATC'S,COLLAGEG OR JEWELLERY MAKING

Alexandra Burke won x factor here she is!

2008-12-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

Every Saturday night x factor has ruled our entertainment plans at the weekend. A bottle of wine and settling down to the tv, wondering who would be next to go out of the contest was the highlight of our Saturday nights! Here is Alexandra Burke - only 19 at the time, singing one of my favorite songs from the contest....

My bengal cat movie with commentary!

2008-12-02T02:58:00.000-08:00

More of Fagan and Little Lady

2008-12-02T00:20:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this photo of Little Lady. You can really see her Mediterranean blue eyes!

Aren't cats adorable when they have just woken up ? Unlike people!!!

Here's Fagan with my youger daughter.

Check out the size of this cat! Here is is, spralled out on my double bed ! His tail and head nearly reach the sides!! I weighed Fagan this morning. He is exactly one stones... that's 14 lbs, or 6.35 kg.

Bengals are not normally lap cats. They are dominant personalities and dog like in their manner. They have a loud wild-cat-like call. They answer you when you talk to them. They are very intelligent, adore being around you and involved in what's going on. They can easily get bored without stimulation. They can also terrorize cats in the household or neighbourhoods. According to a Bengal rescue site on line, some Bengals are best in a one cat household. Fortunately his lifelong companion, Little Lady, is quite used to his showing off and holds her own when it comes to any terrorist attack. After a chase to the top of the house in the morning after breakfast, they both immediately crash out on the bed and sleep for the rest of the day!

I have just ordered a 'cat dancer' toy. I used to have one of these when I bred Siamese Foreign and Somali cats many years ago. It was a present from my bronther in the States and I had never seen them here in the UK. It's the best cat toy EVER! Like all the best ideas it's very simple..a piece of hard to destroy raffia-tyle fibre on the end of a long thin springy wire. I am sure I will waste many an hour with the cats once that arrives.

The cats have kind of met 'Mo' - the British shorthaired cat which is currently resident in the conservatory whilst my elderly mother is being cared for by my cousin.

So currently there are three cats here!

Vintage Paris Chunky Book pages

2008-12-01T00:08:00.000-08:00

The other evening my husband arrived with a new filter coffee machine. Of course I just had to try it out. The first cup of ground coffee was a little weak. So I had another go. That cup was nice and strong...... so nice in fact, that I had another cup! As a result of the huge caffeine rush, I didn't sleep till 6 in the morning. ! No matter, I got on with the making the Vintage Paris themed 4x4" chunky book pages (ten of them plus the reverse sides) through the night, for a swap for collagestuff.com. Here they are a few.....

Little lady and Fagan - the new cats!!!

2008-11-30T03:34:00.000-08:00

OK, so. This is Fagan. It's a pretty apt name really as he is a complete vagabond. He weighs the same as a toddler, ie..he is a MONSTER, taking up two of the kitchen chairs when he sleeps. He's a silver spotted pedigree Bengal. (If you want to see what the breed like in action, just scroll down and type 'benal cat' into the search box on the Youtube gadget on the right of the screen. Beware, you might be transfixed for hours!)

Anyway, both Fagan and Little Lady needed a new home, and willing slave. They have settled in very well with no problems. Fagan is a male neuter, 18 months old. Eat? He gives the word a new definition! I have them both on a dry 'indoor cat' diet which is supposed to reduce the smell of their toilet by 60%. The house is sweet smelling at the moment so we can only hope it stays that way. He loves to play, stalk his companion and sleep my duvet ALL DAY!

Below is his girlfriend Little Lady. That was not her name before but that's what I all her as that is just what she is! Delicate, gentle, demure - like chalk and cheese with the bruiser above! She is a snow bengal x siamese. She is two years old. She not long ago had kittens when she belonged to the previous owner. So my aim is to build her up a bit. This means feeding them apart so that she gets a look in. Dried food, plus chicken and fish is what she likes. She is a sweet natured cat, loving and cute. Excuse the red eye of the flash - she has the most deepest blue eyes in reality.

Bengal cats

2008-11-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

http://www.bengalcat.co.uk/

I have just come home with two cats! One is a silver spotted Bengal neutered male of 18 months and the other is a snow bengal x siamese female of 2 years. I decided last night after some consideration that the house wasn't a home without a cat. I used to breed foreign shorthairs which are solid coloured siamese cats.

Both Fagan and Little Lady are currently 'settling down' in the kitchen and may be on my bed tonight! Photos to follow.

2008-11-24T03:30:00.000-08:00

Aghhh! While updating the layout of this blog, I lost my list of craft suppliers. Sorry folk...I know some of you loved it. I will try to rebuild it but it will take time. I am starting with Lisa's site collagestuff.com. Lisa is hosting a vintage Paris book page swap in the new year. check out her site for more details ..

http://www.collagestuff.com/

Great work Lisa!

Heathers WTA atc

2008-11-23T05:57:00.001-08:00

I created this WTA atc for Heather Fenn Edwards for the Yahoo Advanced ATC Group using materials I was kindly given by members of the group when I hosted a recent Zettiology swap. Thanks guys!

A jay at the bird table

2008-11-23T05:41:00.000-08:00

Here are two types of birds that have recently been seen from the garden. The green woodpecker (top photo) was in a tree at the back of the garden a week ago and the jay was actually taking food from the birdtable this morning. I've never been so close to a jay - the bird table is about 3 yards from the kitchen window. Sea gulls have now started to come in their scores for the bread I put out, and they frighten away some of the smaller birds.

Brussel Sprouts!

2008-11-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I HATE brussel sprouts! But here is a recipe with orange and ginger which I had at a friend's house once. I'm going to try it myself tomorrow. Here is the video of the recipe - it's dead simple!

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/sidedish/brussels_sprouts_with_hot_orange_sauce_recipe.html

Halloween outfit....

2008-11-04T07:31:00.001-08:00

Boticelli ATC's

2008-11-04T07:29:00.001-08:00

Here are some ATC;'s on the subject of Boticelli....

Belly Dancer ATC's

2008-11-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some belly dance themed cards I made today.....

Claire Martin's wedding hair

2008-10-21T05:55:00.000-07:00

Many years ago I became friendly with UK jazz singer Claire Martin. Recently she asked me to do the hair for her wedding. It was on Saturday - here are the photos of her and a couple of the bridesmaids....

This is Claire as we started her hair....

This was the back when it was finished with fresh flowers...

This is her from the front with a bridesmaid

And another of the little bridesmaids...

It was such a fun day, glorious warm autumn sunshine and my best wishes go out to her and husband Phil.

Claire's website is here

http://www.clairemartinjazz.com/

New purchase

2008-10-16T14:50:00.001-07:00

Hurray ! Today I received a copy of 'Collage lost and Found ' (Creating unique projects with vintage ephemera) ((up my street OR WHAT???!)), By J. Cirincione... Love it. It's fab . I recommend this book to everyone who likes altered art. Buy it on Amazon.

Credit Crunch? Pity the Japanese! ....

2008-10-14T06:12:00.000-07:00

Following the financial crisis on Wall Street uncertainty has now hit the
banking sector in Japan.
In the last seven days Origami Bank has folded, Sumo Bank has gone belly up
and Bonsai Bank announced plans to cut some of its branches.
Yesterday, it was announced that Karaoke Bank is up for sale and will
likely go for a song, while today shares in Kamikaze Bank were suspended
after they nose-dived.
While Samurai Bank is soldiering on following sharp cutbacks, Ninja Bank is
reported to have taken a hit, but they remain in the black.
A spokesman for Haiku Holdings was lost for words over the financial
crisis, while according to rumours Nippon Bank was starting to feel the
pinch.
500 staff at Karate Bank got the chop, the Judo Bank has been thrown out of
the system after their stranglehold over the market was broken, and Tae
Kwon Doe Bank executives kicked out at their critics. Further, a Kung Fu
Bank CEO is reported to have said 'it is time for them to leave', while the
Reiki Bank is now at full stretch after a long period of relaxation.
Analysts report that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank where
it is feared staff may get a raw deal. Meanwhile Geisha Bank has bowed to
the inevitable and shut.
One trader lamented: "It's all gone to Shiitake."

Brenda Smith's Gypsies book

2008-10-12T02:28:00.000-07:00

Long before I kept a blog, talented ATC creator Brenda Smith sent me a RAK from the USA. It was a glorious book of gypsies. Now that the Advanced ATC UK group has a swap hosted by Sue Young for a tag book called Gypsy Dreams, I thought some people might like to see the her magnificent work....

Wedding card

2008-10-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

I've made this card for a friend's wedding. I thought she's like something a bit different. I used a microscope slide for the front image.

Some new art cards for Lady Lucky Dip Swap

2008-10-07T03:23:00.000-07:00

Down the Line

2008-10-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

Radio 4's Down the Line is a spoof phone in show - hilarious! Series 3 is going to be released on audio CD in about 3 weeks time. Can't wait!!!

Mink coat I am offering on ebay

2008-10-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a 4 in one mink coat in silver that I am offering right now on ebay. It's a full length genuine mink coat but by unzipping it you can transform it into a box jacket, mid length jacket and a stole! Amazing! What's more the condition is SUPERB!!! The pelts match up beautifully. It's vintage, 1970's about a UK 8 or 10.

Take a look on the UK ebay site item no 170268565114

Hopi ear candles

2008-10-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

Someone I know suggested I might try Hopi ear candles. They have a wonderful honey smell, and basically you stick them in your ears and the sound is supposed to relax you. I tried the first one on my dear husband, picture below, then I had a go. But to be honest I thought it was a waste of money (and we felt a bit stupid too!)

New suite in the conservatory

2008-10-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

...and here is the new suite in our conservatory, with the covers all washed and looking great with the damask cushions added.

'New' (to us!) conservatory furniture is here!!!

2008-09-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Our 'new' contemporary gothic wrought iron sofa, armchair and footstool are here! (It's from e bay, of course) and yesterday my dear husband went all the way to Leicestershire to get it!

Here are the ebay pics but it looks SO much nicer in the conservatory, with the covers all washed, and with some extra damask cushions.

Jackdaws in Colchester

2008-09-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

For the last few days, early in the morning, four jackdaws have been visiting my birdtable in Colchester, Essex UK for bread. Then they fly up to a neighbours roof where they sit and preen themselves. I'd never seen any in the flesh before - in fact I got quite excited. Below is video of what they look like. I'd like to know here they roost around here and if there is a colony of them.

Funky dyed Kitchen Paper Tutorial

2008-09-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

Funky Dyed Kitchen Paper Tutorial

Do you like easy, funky, handmade backgrounds for your atc or altered art projects?

Take a look at this technique of creating great kitchen towel backgrounds using Ranger’s Adirondack Colour Wash and a microwave oven!

Takes just minutes to do!

You will need the following items - plain kitchen paper ( two ply or the thicker stuff, it doesn’t matter), several Adirondack sprays as mentioned, an old plate, a little water, a microwave oven, some old newspaper.

Step one - dampen the plate with a little water and spray on one colour after another. I used three colours for this example.
Step two - saturate one towel then another one on top to absorb all the colourwash.

Step three - mop around the plate with the scrunched up paper.

Step 4 - Flatten the sheets one on top of the other and bake in the microwave on full power for about 2 mins or until the colours lighten and make a nice tie-die sort of pattern. Turn the papers over and repeat for a little while if you want to.

Step 5 - use an old iron and press flat on the newspaper (this just saves your ironing board getting messy).

Step 6 - cut to size as shown.

The effect will turn out differently every time you do this technique. The water boiling and evaporating through the paper thicknesses give you the pattern. Be careful not to leave in too long though - it could catch fire! You can elaborate on this technique by using more than two sheets at a time, using baby wipes, adding other paints such as acrylics on the plate, gold and silver coloured paint, inks, or try adding bleach. Work in a well ventilated room - always, and gloves are recommended top avoid staining! Most of all, have fun!

Wedding hair

2008-09-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

It gave me great pleasure to do the hair of a favorite jazz artist of mine for a trial run for her forthcoming wedding. I took lots of photos which turned out brilliantly - loaded them tonight into My Pictures, opened a special folder for them ... et voila...EMPTY FOLDER!

I am soooooooooooooooooooo ****ing ***ed off! Just nowhere to be found. But I shall tell you folks she looked a million dollars! - a fashionably messy chignon, with curls and fresh rosebuds with little ivy leaves. My dear, if you are reading this, I am so sorry I can't find the photos on here - I don't know what happened. I shall make sure on the big day I take two cameras with me - just in case.

Anyway, we had a bite to eat at the house (a veggie moussaka thingy I made yesterday, and then had a good old chin wag about children, ebay, marrage and lifestuff.)

Genuine 50's cat's eys sun glasses FOR SALE!

2008-09-19T13:07:00.002-07:00

I am offering these wonderful genuine 50's cats eye sunglasses, with glitter lucite frames for sale on the UK ebay site (just do a search NOW and you will find them). What makes them special is that they are PERFECT - no cracks or scratches. Just adorable if you like that Dita Von Teese, burlesque rockabilly look! Hurry and get your bid in !

Karen Millen coat for sale on e bay

2008-09-19T13:07:00.001-07:00

Just look at this fabulous Karen Millen coat I am offering on ebay this week - it's a useful size 12. but hurry - you've only got one day left to bid on it. If you do a search on the ebay UK site you will find it NOW!

Jordan aka Katie Price has nerve palsy!

2008-09-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Guess what? I read today in OK magazine that after her recent breast op Jordan (Katie Price) now has paralysis of the hand. It says this is due to her arm being kept in the overhead position for some 5 hours during the operation. She says in the magazine that she is receiving some ultraviolet light treatment for it and hopes it will only last a couple of weeks. Jordan, if you have googled 'nerve palsy' and chanced upon this blog - get in touch, gal! This type of problem is temporary but can last an annoyingly long time....(my arm has only just woken up - it's taken 6 months from hardly any movement to nearly full recovery.)

It can really help to chat to someone who has gone through a similar ordeal! Good luck to anyone who has this problem.

Office and creative space

2008-09-16T03:14:00.001-07:00

Herei is my office and creative work space... although it's not always this tidy. I've managed to have on display about two thirds of my mounted stamps - like most homes there's never enough storage for art stuff! At the bottom is an altered CDV I made today.

Zettiology Swap

2008-09-15T01:52:00.000-07:00

There is a new swap posted on Advanced ATC's. UK group (the button to join is at the bottom of the page by the way) - and it's for Zettiology. It's a 4/4 swawp due mid November. It's for those who are experienced card makers and typically take all evening to do four cards. Here is the link if you want inspration -

http://www.zettiology.com/