Monday, December 30, 2013

Recycled Tag

I took part in a tag swap over on http://artandimagesbykim.ning.com/?xg_source=badge

The swap was to make a tag using recycled goods from Christmas. I made mine using a left over tag, parts of a Christmas card, ribbon and lace from chocolate boxes and some Stickles too. Pop on over to my Sticky Fingers page to see both sides of the tag.


Sunday, December 29, 2013

52 Week Money Challenge

I came across this on a friend's Facebook page and then visited the blog it came from, http://thehousemadehome.blogspot.ie/

Reading through this I thought it was a fantastic idea, especially as I'm brutal at saving money.

How does it work? Well for 52 weeks you save the same amount of money for which week you are on. For instance week one you save €1, week two you save €2, and so on.  By the end of your 52 weeks you will have saved €1,378.00.  Just take from your paycheck each week when you get paid.

All you need to start is a jar and €1....Are you game for the 52 Week Money Challenge?  What will you use your money for? I'd love a good holiday next year!


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

190 years old and still a classic!

It's amazing to think "Twas the night before Christmas" is 190 years old. It's still an all time favourite and reminds me of my childhood when I hear it. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. "T'was The Night Before Christmas"

         
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

I'm back

Hi folks, how are you all doing? Good I hope. Well I've been MIA for over a week now but that's because I've been in sunny Florida. It was a well needed break and the weather was great. We've been the last few years and it's always been really pleasant, like a Spring day that we get here in Ireland. This time though it was so much warmer and we hadn't packed right, no shorts with us but we survived none the less. 

Of course I had to treat myself to some crafty stash and I went a little mad buying ink, embellishments, gems, stamps, ribbon and some MS goodies too. Ooh and I bought a super cool punch which I'm just so dying to use. 


As it's so cold outside here's a little sunshine to try and warm you up.






We went on the Carousel of Progress in memory of my dad. He passed this year, August 2013.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Altered mesh box

While clearing up my craft room today...thankfully it wasn't too chaotic...I came across this mesh box. I've been holding on to it since last Christmas in case it came in handy. It's so nice that I just didn't want to throw it out and so I decided to alter it. I'm going to use it as my pen holder in work.



Craft room clear out

I've been doing a pretty good job of keeping on top of my craft room but it still needs tidying every so often. This morning I went through my craft room sorting through the shelves and the amount of stuff I've been holding on to for the "it could come in handy" moments. I've thrown out loads of rubbish, it's pure rubbish but have come across some nice boxes too. So once I get off the computer, get the rest of what needs sorting sorted, I'm going to put my feet up and go about altering the boxes. Look out for more to come.


Saturday, November 30, 2013

Graphic 45

I LOVE Graphic 45 and so when I came across "Steampunk Spells" I knew it was a must for the tag swap Rats was hosting over on Paper Craft Planet. Here are the tags that I made.





Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Lili of the Valley

Beautiful, stunning, elegant, delightful, adorable, endearing, charming…these are only a few of the words that describe the wonderful products that “Lili of the Valley” offer. Each image is created with such wonderful detail and making the perfect addition to any craft project in my opinion. I just love them and have become quite addictive as a result of my good friend Maria.

Years ago I came across LOTV when I got a freebie with a magazine I’d bought. Not knowing where to purchase these images, they soon left my mind. Then last year my friend Maria sent me a card using…you guessed it…a LOTV image and soon I was collecting their products. Where possible I will use a LOTV and hearing the remarks of those receiving crafts from me is so uplifting because they too love the images.

I stayed with my mum last night and we got busy making cards. Below is the box of cards that I made and over on the “Sticky Fingers” page you’ll see some of the cards that I had fun making. I won’t share them all as I’d like to keep them a surprise for my friends. Why not visit LOTV over on http://www.liliofthevalley.co.uk/  They’ll be releasing some adorable new baby images on the 2nd December.


Now pop on over to my "Sticky Fingers" page, the tab which you'll see at the top and you'll see a close up of a few of the cards I've made. Thanks for looking. 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Gingerbread men and women

I LOVE baking and LOVE trying new things too. Today I decided to try out gingerbread men and women. They are soooo tasty but I can't help but feel they could do with a little more ginger in them. I'll be adding these to my list of Christmas treats for gifts. I'm planning on doing two baked goods hampers for my sisters. Any excuse to bake :) I just need to buy a new icing bag so I can ice these little people. 




If you pop on over to the Recipe Box page, you'll find the recipe that I used. It's a Delia Smith recipe and so easy to follow. 

Back to smoothie making

Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well today. It's a little on the chilly side today and it's quite dull outside which makes me wonder if we'll start to get some snow soon. Brrr...the thoughts of it!!

I returned to my smoothie making this week and I'm so glad I have too. Making smoothie certainly gives your body the boost it needs and my energy levels will be increased in no time which is great following my last two weeks in hospital.


The smoothie I made today was just delicious. It contained cabbage, cucumber, spinach,garlic, carrot, apple, ginger and a drop of pineapple juice too. This mightn't sound the most appealing to some but believe me when I say it tasted delicious. Here's a pic for you but don't let the colour turn you off. Just think of all the great nutrients that you'll get from making your own smoothies focusing on fresh vegetables and adding in some fruit too.




The best bit is that this is all I had for breakfast and it kept me feeling full until lunch time.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

12 Days of Christmas

Do you remember the "12 Days of Christmas" song? Well Graphic 45 released their new Christmas pack which is based on the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas. It's such a beautiful pack and has a real vintage feel. The colours and graphics are amazing.  Pop on over to the Sticky Fingers page and you'll see the cards I made today.


To rejog your memory of the "12 Days of Christmas" words, here you go...I bet you'll find yourself singing along to it before you know it.


On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree


On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me:

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Four Calling Birds*
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree




Saturday, November 23, 2013

F**k It...

Bet the title of this post caught your attention...right???

Well this isn't a profanity but the name of a book I'm currently reading. What is it about I hear you ask? Well it's a Spiritual book about how to live a Spiritual life in a Western world. It's about how we should learn to say "F**k It" when things go wrong, learn from it and move forward. Interesting, right?

Immediately upon starting to read this book I couldn't help but laugh by the straight talking way it's written, nothing airy fairy about it. Being a Spiritualist I've read many Spiritual books on self help and self improvement to name a few but this straight talking book is such a great read, a hearty laugh and something that immediately makes you feel good. I haven't been able to put it down since reading it. 

Here's the description that Amazon have for "F**k It".

"To say F**k It feels good. To stop struggling and finally do what you wish . . . to ignore what everyone is telling you and just go your own way . . . feels really great. In this inspiring and humorous book, John C. Parkin suggests that saying F**k It is the perfect Western expression of the Eastern spiritual concept of letting go, giving up, and finding real freedom by realizing that things don't matter so much (if at all). It's a spiritual way that doesn't require chanting, meditating, or wearing sandals. And it's the very power of this modern-day profanity that makes it perfect for shaking us Westerners out of the stress and anxiety that dominate our daily lives. So, find out how to say F**k It to all your problems and concerns. Say F**k It to all the "shoulds" in your life, and finally do what you want-no matter what other people think!"


Love this

Browsing Facebook...I'm addicted to Facebook...how sad is that. Any way, I came across this pic and thought it was really lovely. I had to share it on my blog.


Welcome

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog. I've said for ages that I would open a new blog but have never gotten around to it, until now that is. I've a real incentive to create a blog now, as one of my ultimate favourite craft forums will be closing soon and I don't want to lose contact with my friends who I consider my "sisterhood". So creating my blog will give them another way to stay in touch.

Life of Pi (Key Lime) is obviously a play on words. One of my most favourite things for baking is Key Lime Pie and is hubby's fav desert. I've even won prizes for making this fab pie and if you look at my Recipe Box page, you'll find the recipe there. If you decide to make it be sure to leave a comment with a link of where I can see a pic of the pie you've made.


I love having sticky fingers between my craft room, baking and cooking. I'll get stuck into anything I feel I can manage and enjoy at the same time.


Thanks for stopping by, pull up a chair and enjoy having a piece of pie, Life of Pi (Key Lime).