Danke

Well last Monday and Tuesday morning I was nervously awaiting some visitors from Germany coming to see my Shed and myself.  Nervous, wondering why on earth I agreed to another TV thing. Those that know me know that I am nervous, shy and a worrier, if you know me as anything other than that let me assure you I am good at faking it!  9;15 they were due to arrive and they were almost spot on.  The car pulled up and I expected maybe 2 but 4 people got out of the car. One guy and 3 ladies.  Oh dear, what was I doing.  Tempted to lock the door and pretend I was out I opened the door and with my fake "I am confident" handshake I welcomed them all in the house.   

Milo is always a good way to break the ice, he sped around the garden in excited circuits and was jumping up wagging his tail like he might actually take off.  They smiled a stroked him and I assured them eventually he would calm down. He did of course but he would go up to them over the next 2 days and got lots of lovely strokes and tickles :)

I was introduced to Katharina, Liz, Miriam and Boris  and we set to work filming the garden, the shed and me.  Numerous takes of the same thing, watering the plants, walking round the garden, feeding the fish and talking.  Slowly but surely my nerves disappeared as I realised they were all rather lovely!  Katharina and I having a bit of a chuckle at things and she spoke amazing English, Liz was the only one who didn't speak as much but I assured her  it was a MILLION times better than my German.   

The weather was not as hot as this past week, thank goodness it would have been a killer in 30+ heat, so for their visit it was a pleasant temperature with showers forecast. We decided to do the outside bits first and then move to inside later that day and then Tuesday they were going to meet me at work and then back here later on again for more inside bits.  They also wanted to meet the family and see me in my shed at night. I  told Darren of the plan and he said he didn't want to be filmed, I told them, the kids were fine, Darren not.  That was ok, not everyone wants to be on TV. :)

It was a long first day, fun non the less and they went off to their hotel in the early evening. Arranged to meet at work 1pm the next day and I was thankful it was a later start as I was so tired.  After a short stint at work they left at the same time as me, I let them in the house and I went to collect the kids.  Even later that evening after more filming in various stages and YES they did get Darren filmed, not interviewed but filmed with the kids.  They went off for their evening food and came back like 9 or 9.30pm to see the things in the dark.

At the end of it I felt so pleased I had done it, they were lovely lovely people, they not feeling aggravated by me who is of course a complete novice at these things!  Even after the third take of hundreds of buttons pouring through my hands, I eventually got that right, an arty shot I do believe!  How much quicker is it to pour these buttons than pick them up ?  We learnt that quickly.

We laughed with Boris the cameraman as I showed him "The Who's"  Boris the Spider on you tube.  And I could not help but rush to make a gift for Katharina who had been so good with me.So whilst they popped out for their meal I made a chalkboard with a Polka Dot red paper and a Polka Dot Red Button that she had been eyeing up for the 2 days.  I was just sad I could not make them all something in that short time.  I'll forgive Boris for nearly burning down the Palace after moving a clip light!   I said it would be the "Kill Boris Show"  had it really burnt down.   :)

Apparently the programme will be broadcast sometime next year and if I find out when I will let you all know.

Here is a little collage I made with these lovely people.  I hope to keep in touch with them.

Just another crazy night in my Crafty Palace!

A wedding card

Hi Friends,
Its been a while, again I start the blog with an apology.  Its been hectic with schools on holiday, visits from ITV and BBC  (more about that below)  Make lots of things but some of which I've not been able to show until I get the nod.  Or I just forgot. To be honest I am constantly juggling and the little time I do get to make cards I do just that, I make them and I forget to post, but I really should make an effort.

I made this card a few weeks ago but forgot to post before now so I thought whilst I had a few minutes where everyone is busy else where I would post this card.  Harveys out with a friend, hes 12 now and every moment possible his is hanging out with friends.  Caiden is upstairs on his X Box and Darren is down the pub having a quick beer before coming home.

I should of taken some better photos but I was trying to get this made

 for a friend.  I have used the Rectangle Accordion, Agatha Edges and Pivot Heart together.

I decorated with some Stampin Up! stamps, distress Inks and the lovely Minc Machine

using the gold Foil.

Really very pleased how this turned out as it is not my usual style.

Just about getting back to normal since the kids have gone back.

Harvey is in year 8 and Caiden in year 5.  I can not believe how quick these

school years go.  Here are some photos of my boys.  Looking so grown up!

Exciting things have been happening in my Crafty Palace and I made have

made a few of you choke on your teas the other night when me and my Crafty

Palace were on BBC1 on the One Show.  If you would like to watch it I will paste the link for you.

The One Show

The piece is about mid way.  I was only on for about a minute but would you believe

they were filming for almost 4 hours!!  Two lovely guys from BBC  Keaton and Dave the cameraman.They made the whole experience fun and tried to make a very nervous me feel a bit calmer.  If you fancy a laugh and a little peek into my palace click the link.

Keaton and Dave crammed into my shed!

Hey there's a cameraman in my shed!!

So I will leave you now, Caiden has now come downstairs and wants the PC.

Peace is shattered!!  And I need to get the dinner in the oven.  Jacket Spuds.  Nom Nom

I'll be back VERY SOON with a NEW die!!

Caz xx

My Crafty Palace

I've had lots of people ask me about my Crafty Palace, both a long time ago and recently and I thought I would post here for those more recent.

I got my Palace built by a place called wright sheds in Essex  http://www.wrightsheds.co.uk/ they make to order, so made to my size spec and where I wanted the windows ect.  At the time I think I was happy with my order.  Since my palace is now 7 years old there are a couple of things I would change.  I would have gone a little bit bigger, its 8ft x 10 ft, I maybe would have gone 10 x 10 and I would have gone for nicer side windows but I was trying to cut down the money and the side windows didnt seem that important but they are not a lovely as my gorgeion windows and door at the front.  I maybe even might have gone for a stable door, that way getting some air in but not having it wide open.    When I ordered my shed I went with these people as they would line it for me so it was insulated.

Here you can see why my shed is so lovely and insulated.  All that toasty padding behind the wood :)

This is a picture once it was built

Two days later on my Husbands birthday he hooked it up to the electric, added plug sockets and light.  Oh I could have done the happy dance!! ... wait I think I did!!

A few years later (2011) I decided I wasnt happy with the shed where it was down near the end of the garden.  It it was cold and wet to go down to my shed so I paid someone to move it.  That was a feat in itself to find someone who would do it.  I managed to track someone down and I think he was from the travelling community and had experience in moving caravans which helped as he knew exactly what to do.  That morning I went to work and I had never been so nervous in my life as my husband sent me pictures of my shed moving bit by bit up the garden!!

The only bad thing since the move is a really creaky middle part in the floor where I think they should have put a wooden post under but I only notice when moving about.

We've had some horrendous weather, rain, snow, ice and I have not got one spot of damp inside/  My papers are fine too.  I have an electric heater inside and I pop that on when I get cold, or in really cold weather I might just pop it on for an hour or so just to keep the shed warm for a while.  But most of the time I go down almost every evening anyway.

My claim to fame for 2014 was being interviewed and photographed by the Daily Mail a uk Newspaper.  As you can see the shed got the makeover here with some lovely paint.

I've since changed it again to add some delicious looking stripes!

I have filled my shed with a mix of Ikea pieces and bits and bobs found 

on local selling groups.  Its a mish mash of colour and storage and I love it.

Ceiling and floor, its all used :)

If there any more questions just let me know.

Caz xx

Crafty Palace Storage finds

As most of you know storage and crafting seem to run hand in hand.  Some people have purpose built studios with spaces made for items they need, I am more of an shopper buy accident and I happen to stumble across items that in turn end up fab storage.  here are my two latest finds.

These were 2 a tenner from a local Facebook group.  Now I didn't know what would fit in them but I thought with all those little "shelves" they would be perfect for something and as it happens they fit my Bigz dies very well.  So my goal one day will be to have both side full up!

Again from a local Facebook sale, again no clue what I would use it for but happens to be fabulous for my misc punches.  Large Woodware ones on the bottom, Medium size in the middle and lots of misc punches at the top. PERFECT!  In someways I do wish I had a purpose built shed with a place for everything but then in other ways this reflects the real me, I am not a tidy tidy person, I like "stuff".  I like to see other "stuff" and nothing drives me more nuts than trying to find something so if its all kinda out, then it makes it easier :)

Now it is getting to the point when I will have no more room, but until then I will continue looking out these crafty storage finds and seeing just how well they can slot into my palace :)  Now if only I would be able to find a space for my BIG SHOT PRO, it currently lives on the floor as I dont have the dedicated table space to be able to leave him out :(

Can I be excused?

Sorry for my lack of posts... but I have been a wee bit busy.  Emptying my Crafty Palace, moving the entire contents into my front room and then getting the Palace moved up the garden and then putting everything back!

I believe the pictures can tell the story better....

Some of my stash piling up!

 My little desk

 My mega craft wall back in shed

 More stuff in shed

 My lovely shed in its new place

 To the right where you can see the end of the slide was

where my Palace used to live. This is now becoming the kids play

area which will get fenced off soon

 Another shot

 Starting to decorate the windows

My Crafty Palace sign

In some ways I don't think the photos show the full extent of what stuff I had to move

out and then in again!!  But its fantastic where it it.  I have NO craft stuff in the house

and now the Palace is there I am much more likely to use it as its not down

the bottom of the garden.  I made my first card last night, I sat in there making a card

and I could see hubby sitting on the sofa playing his X box.  Kids were in bed... bliss!

Shedscapades

Here is Darren getting stuck in, he has dug the whole and is now filling with rubble and he has put the frame up.
Here is Caiden in the Mud, he had a great day on Saturday whilst I worked. Harvey was the same but I missed him in the photo, by the time I had got home he was bored of the mud as he had been out all day.
Here is the base that Darren has made a fantastic start on, infact he has less left to do that he has done. I said to he I wondered how long after he started he realised it would have been good to start offloading the cement at the other corner!! LOL

SO here is the starting of my Crafty Palace :)

Here are a few pictures.

Didnt mean to leave you in suspenders

I got busy last night and been out all morning.

No one was right I dont think. Pregnant? screams of horror would be more fitting! LOL I love my kids but two is it for me!

Got my shed? Nope .. I wish!

WOn the lottery? you think you would see me for dust?

My excitement was ordering the shed :) its now just 3-4 weeks away or sooner until I have my beautiful chalet style shed with half glazed georgian door, georgian windows, fully lined. Already I am wondering how to fit it all in and make best use of every nook and cranny! He is sending my the receipt for the deposit and a drawing so I can look at it everytime I get downhearted about trying to work in the front room with the kids.

Darren was working really hard this weekend and he has cleared the rubbish pile at the bottom of the garden. I said to him, as I know he didnt want my shed up near the house that if he can make a base for my shed down there in time then I will be there. I want the best of both worlds really, to be near the house, but also for it not to be! LOL The eaves will be 7ft high and the shed will be only 4 foot away from our main front room window which will effect the view! LOL and light and with my sensible head on I have agreed its too close, although handy as we wouldnt have had to pay out for a base, although part of the deal of having that patio was that he extend the patio the other side anyway so really we would have spent the money anyway. We were busy last night on the internet working out how much cement and ballast we need for a base, where we can get it from ect ect.. He wants to get working on it this Saturday when I am working and has already told Harvey they are digging Saturday. Harvey is very excited and Caiden will love it out there too in the mud! Shame Harvey has no concept of time yet as he told me he wasnt going to school today as he was digging the garden with Daddy. We had a 5 minute disagreement that it WASNT Saturday today!

Lots and lots of love to my Mum for giving me the money to make my dream come true! Maybe she thinks that the shed will be cheaper than therapy and she has seen how hard is is for me to concentrate on prepping for classes ect with the choas here.

Looking on the craft blog Paula Pascual posts to about craft storage I tried not to get too sad to see a lady with her 22ft x 10 shed!! I will be happy with my 10 x 8 Crafty Palace. Not sure if I told you all that is the name for my place. My Dad was a life long supporter of the Eagles and Crafty Palace seems apt for somewhere I can retreat to and make cards and have a quiet time to think about him and other things.

Thanks to all those that pop on regularly. I am sorry things have been lacking craft wise recently. its just so hard to do right now with the stuff scattered all over the house and no where quiet to do it. Also loosing Dad has hit me hard and zapped the creativeness some what or the enthusiasm (sp) to do it. Thanks for all the wonderful messages of support over the last couple of months and sharing your own stories of greiving ect

xxx Caz