WooHooooooooo......

Yesterday, my long awaited Blu Ray disc of The Killers Live at The Albert Hall arrived, on the day it should have been released (somehow the dates got later as time went on, but it did arrive on the original date) and guess what, the flippin Blu Ray on my computer had disappeared. Luckily HP talked me through getting it back, apparently I-Tunes (which I do have) or Norton (which I dont have) have a habit of adding files to your registry which then makes your drive disappear... so thank you HP for sorting that for me but then the software wouldn't work. DH took over my computer from work (remotely) and tried his hardest to find out why, we updated every driver you could possibly imagine (even though I have only had the laptop 6 weeks) and it still didn't work... we searched forums, websites etc trying to get to the bottom of it... finally at around 9.30pm last night we found someone who had posted that their anti virus had interfered with their blu ray software (we had turned my anti virus off) and guess what, yep, it was the same anti virus as I use, so in case anyone else has these problems Comodo Anti Virus interferes with blu ray software and has to be totally removed from the computer before it will play blu ray discs (actually it wouldn't play DVDs either, so the drive wouldn't play any kind of disc whilst this anti virus was installed on the computer even if it was turned off), so 9.45pm last night I finally got around to watching the long awaited concert (yes we were there and I just wanted to relive the greatest concert I have been to this year and I have been to a fair few.... The Killers in February, Nickelback, Boyzone, U2, The Killers in July, Spandau Ballet and yet to come, The Specials this month and Madness next month).... In case any of you are thinking of buying this DVD it is awesome, brilliant and will be played on this computer for many weeks to come, and I even managed to make a card in between watching it.... lol

So here is the card I made, it was a card I was asked to make for our Children's Church to say thank you to The Leprosy Mission for the good works that they do.


I made an A5 card blank and matted it with Pumpkin Pie Cardstock from Stampin' Up!, the patterned paper was cut and sewn (by sewing machine) onto this cardstock. The Ribbon is the new Stampin' Up! Grosgrain Striped Ribbon in Pumpkin Pie and the button is from my stash. The Stamp Set is also Stampin' Up! (surprise surprise) and is called All in The Family. The THANKYOU was cut on my Cricut Expression using the StoryBook Cartridge on 1" in Pumpkin Pie Cardstock and then I cut a shadow for it in Old Olive Cardstock.

Thanks for looking everyone, will be back soon, so have a great weekend. Take Care xx

Took A Bit of A Detour......

I took a bit of a detour today, having a bit of a personal dilemma and didn't really feel creative at all... I know I am not going to get the 12 cards finished and daughter asked me for a Wedding Card, so thought I would turn my attention to that, the happy couple who the card is for actually got married last week at Gretna Green, so I didn't really want to put Wedding Day on the card. I started off with something totally different inspired by someones blog, but actually hated the card and started all over again. The finished product is below, I ended up very pleased with the way it turned out, so am feeling a bit more positive this afternoon.

This card looks very monochromatic from these photos, something to do with darkness outside and all the fake lights I used to try and shed some light on it, but daughter has now taken the card so cannot photograph it in daylight. The base of the card is white, then brushed silver and then white again embossed using a cuttlebug embossing folder. The images are from Stampin' Up! and are the Love You Much Stamp Set and the Mr & Mrs Stamp Set for the Sentiment. The hearts were then punched out using the Stampin' Up! matching punch. I first of all embossed the image in white for the hearts and punched them out afterwards. The Together Forever sentiment was embossed in silver. The ribbon in the Stampin' Up! Taffeta Ribbon in Basic Gray. The pearls were from my stash. The inside has also been decorated to match the front.

Again I used the Whisper White Cardstock and brushed silver for the base. The punch is a Martha Stewart one and the shape was cut out using nestabilities. Hope you like it and it gives you some inspiration.

I was also so excited this morning when my Killers Blu Ray disc arrived ont he day it was released. It was fillmed Live at the Albert Hall and we were there.... Woohoo!!! Been dying to relive that night and couldn't wait to watch it, I have been driving everyone mad counting down the days, but can you believe the only blu ray drive is on my laptop and when I went to play the disc it had disappeared. After a support call to HP and many clicking of buttons it came back again, but still cannot get any Blu rays to play on it, so have to wait for hubby to get home to have a play and see what he can do... Apparently this is a common problem with HP Blu ray disc drives.... grrrr, if I had of known I would have bought the DVD version. Anyway, off to cook dinner, hope you all have a great weekend... Take Care all xx

Wow, what an awful week I have had, which is why I haven't updated my Blog.....

So last week was one that I would like to forget, one that I wish I could wave a magic wand over and turn back the clock.... DH has a few health problems at the moment and was sent for blood tests over a week ago now, they came back, not normal but what was expected, so he went to the Doctors and they said he needed another blood test, so off he went to the hospital and there were 31 people in front of him and he needed to get to work. On the Sunday his car brakes were very strange and so he had to use my car, so half term holiday, no car..... so not only on the Tuesday did he have 31 people in front of him for the blood test he was also trying to get the parts for his car too... total nightmare, his car does not take parts that his car should, they look up the year and type of car and it is never any of the bits it should be, so after the hospital he had to come home, take the wheel off his car and take photographs of his brake cylinders (bearing in mind he has on a shirt and tie ready for work) and eventually gets the bits he needs. Then back to the Doctor's on Friday about the blood test and voila.... excellent, they did the wrong one...... so he had to go back yesterday for yet another one, and then off to the Consultant on Wednesday and the Doctor's again on Friday, I can see his boss getting fed up pretty quickly. In the meantime on the same Tuesday as the car and the 31 people, it is 5pm in the afternoon and my son comes running to me shaking and crying saying my little pugs eyes is popping out, at that minute she runs to me and it is probably the most awful thing I have ever seen in real life, I couldn't even look at her.... so no car, and injured pet, and distraught child and my mind goes blank. I eventually manage to ring my daughter for a lift to the vets, manage to persuade the vet that it is an emergency and no I cannot wait an hour and a half for an appointment. We get there they rush us into a consulting room and say they have to operate right away, "has she eaten".... I say yes, they say well there is a danger whilst she is under anaethestic that she may vomit, choke on it and die, there is also a danger she will loose her eye. I signed the consent form and walked out the vets in tears.... I arrived home and my son is fixing DHs car, and then DH arrives home, the vets ring his mobile phone, they say she is going to lose her eye as the optic nerve has been severed.... this is a nightmare... they ring again about 40 minutes later saying we can pick her up.... poor little thing is so drowsy and is so not herself. One of the children sleep in the lounge with her that night. She is getting used to her problem now, although she still has a large collar over her head as she cannot pull her stitches out her eye, that would be awful, but she has learned now to drink and eat with it on.... here is a picture of her, it doesn't look as horrific as it sounds and when she is asleep you cannot even tell... but I feel so guilty that it happened...



So I have been busy looking after her all week along with the children on half term. I also had a major sort out, change around and new furniture in my bedroom which is also my scrap room.... I will take some photos and post in a few days, I will post some before and after photos... wow there is such a difference, I absolutely love it now, although some things have gone missing and I haven't found them yet.

Yesterday we went to London O2 Arena to see The Killers.... they were absolutely awesome, I am a huge fan of them ever since I saw them support U2 in Poland in 2005, we went to Berlin in 2007 and saw them live there too, and we were between 3 and 5 rows from the front, although I must admit some German kid did try and start a fight with me then.... so last night we had seats instead, although I must say the UK fans are very reserved and so I may have to go abroad next time I want to see a good band and dance and sing along.... and here is the wonderful Mr Flowers...


Wish I could go back again tonight and do it all over again. We also had a wonderful meal at Las Iguanas at the O2 definately worth a trip if you are in the area.... awesome food and excellent staff... the cocktails weren't bad either.

And yes I have made some cards, so here is my card for today....

The Cardstock used was Lovely Lilac and So Saffron, the papers were from my stash, the lace edge is a Fiskars Border Punch. The sentiment is from Verve stamps in US and the flowers and brads are also from my stash. And for those of you who like to see my cards made only with Stampin Up products, keep your eye out as I have a few to post over the coming week.

If anyone would like to sign up as a demonstrator for Stampin Up, today is really the last day to let me know as you need to sign up before the end of February (which is only 4 days away) to get your 2 free stamps sets from the catalogue and your 2 free Saleabration sets which will no longer be available once February is finished... so contact me on LindaLloyd@gmx.net if you are interested. As well as all these free stamp sets you will also get a Starter Kit worth £250 for only £139, plus a discount on your own stash. You dont have to make it a business (although you can if you like) you can just be a hobby demo and buy your own stash at a discount.

Have a great day all, take care

Yay.... I am feeling happy....

Because I am getting through my to do list today pretty well, and have nearly finished it. First thing I went to the Doctor's as my blood pressure has been high for over a month now and on Tuesday when I went to see the nurse it was still high, so she booked me an appointment with the Doctor today, and guess what, it was normal, so she wants to see me in a month just to check. My daughter also went along to the Doctors to get something to help her give up smoking, whether she will succeed or not I do not know, but let's hope so...

Cant say too much about other things I have done incase DH decides to read my blog today, but I did make his Valentine's card today and have sorted a couple of other things. I also got my tickets for The Killers today, soooooo excited, just over a week to go, I just so cannot wait, although I still have things to scrap from when I went to see them 2 years ago in Berlin... I collected all the bling that fell from the ceiling and DH managed to get me the guitarists plectrum which he threw out into the crowd.... I do have one of our photographs from then as my desktop though... he he

Anyway now to todays card...




The colours used are Not Quite Navy and Bravo Burgundy Cardstock. The Patterned Paper is form my stash, the punch used on the inside of the card is Martha Stewart. The Stamp Set I used is Carte Postale, the idea came from the Stampin' Up! catalogue, which used the same sentiment as I did from God's Blessings. The pearl is from the Pretties Kit.

Have a good Friday evening all xx

Sketch Challenge Monday

So a bit later today, but I have finally got around to publishing my Sketch Challenge for this week, Mr Linky will be added later this evening...

Once you have finished your card add it to Mr Linky so that everyone can get some inspiration from it, tell your friends about this challenge too because the more people who enter, the more inspiration we will be able to get. You can interpret this challenge in any way that you please, you can spin it around in fact the sketch is just for inspiration you do not have to follow it exactly as it looks, it is up to you.

I have made this card today, I spent a certain time each month making more religious type cards for an ongoing order that I fulfill each month, so here is todays card...

The paper is Foofala I think, the sentiment is from Verve stamps in US. The crosses were cut on my cricut machine using Real Red Cardstock. The pretty corners are cut using a cuttlebug die and Whisper White Cardstock and little gems have been used to decorate it further. So not too much Stampin' Up! today, but watch out in the days to come as you will be seeing more.

The weather today has been awful, I took a walk into town to pay some money into the bank, I didn't realise I would get so wet, but I thought walking up the big hill would help with my weightloss although I couldn't breathe by the time I got to the top, more exercise methinks. Just to keep you updated on my weightloss, last week I lost 2.5lb and this week I have lost 2.25lb, so a weight loss of 4.75lb, so although not tons, a nice steady loss, so hopefully I wont put it back on again once I reach my target weight.

And some really exciting news, we actually got tickets to go see The Killers in concert on 23rd February at the O2 arena.... I am just soooooooo excited, the last time I saw them live was March 2007 in Berlin and before that was July 2005 when they were the support act for U2, who we went to see in Poland, so quite novel going to a concert in the UK...

Have a great evening all, take care xx

I was tagged on my other blog... www.agaggleofgadgetsandscrappingtoo.blogspot.com

Right Belinda has tagged me on my other blog and I need to tell you 7 things about myself and tag 7 other people...

Here are the rules:
1. Link your tagger and list the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of the post by leaving their names as well s links to their blogs.
4. Let them know that they have been tagged, by leaving a comment on their blog
5. Link your tagger and list the rules on your blog.

Things About Me:-
1. I have 10 children ranging in age from 25 down to 5.
2. I have a Great Dane the size of a horse and she is only 9 months old.
3. I am an Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator who can order you anything you would like from the catalogue.
4. My husband is 14 years younger than me.
5. I absolutely love cream cakes, but try to avoid them where possible.
6. My Fave Groups are The Killers, Queen (when Freddie Mercury was with them not now), The Who and U2.
7. I studied Interior Design for 2 years.


Check out my other blog to see if I tagged you...