A warm welcome to all my visitors,

Thank you for taking the time to come and look at my blog, I really do appreciate it. I would love you to leave me a comment, even if it’s just to say Hi. It means I can come visit you!

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Please feel free to use my designs for inspiration, I just ask you to credit me, and provide a link back to my blog.

Thanks, Shaz XX

Wednesday 30 May 2018

WOYWW #469

Good Morning everyone, I hope the weather is good wherever you are. This is the post-birthday edition, and as such, features a whole bunch of Birthday ATC's. Stop off at Julia's place, The Stamping Ground, for all the links, and also information at the top of her Blog about this years Crop in Llandudno, in September. If you've never been- you really will enjoy it, it's a fab day of chat,cake,Coffee & Tea,chat, Cake,Crafting,Dinner,chat, Cake- you get the idea?



This one arrived before the Birthday, and is from Nikki. Included some of her fabulous artwork, and bits of ephemera. As well as a host of gorgeous stamps on the envelope!

Nikki also produces the fab birthday badges for our blogs every year- this years 9th ones are available on Julias blog, if you missed them on Nikkis last week.


Diana's (Velvet Moth Studios) came in a beautifully decorated matching envelope, Heathers in a little card, as did Annie & Jo's( Wipso & Twiglet), with a lovely little verse.


Margaret (Glitter& Glue), LLJ, Sarah Brennan, Helen (Stamping by H) and Cindy. Awesome little cards with them too.


Kim Young, Neet (Hickydorums) and Angela (Felix the Crafty Cat). Angela also included some pieces of ephemera, and some die cuts!













Kyla was actually my PIF, then she sent me one in return, along with some fab pieces of her backgrounds.  Love the moths on the envelope too!













Zsuzsa (Inkydinkydoodle)  also included some goodies in her ATC, which came in a gorgeous envelope of handprinted paper.





Thank you so much everyone, for the swaps, and the amazing goodies so many of you included. I need to up my game next year, clearly! 😀







In other news, how many of you ladies, and I'm pretty sure it will be mainly the Brits, and ladies 'of a certain age', lol,- remember the PG Tips Tea monkeys from (a lot of )years ago?
My late youngest brother was crazy about them as a small child, and they once ran an offer to buy a toy version, which was actually quite large- probably as tall as your average 2 year old.
 Anyway, this pic, which my niece took a few days ago, is of her daughter playing with it now. 47 YEARS LATER!  Yes, that's how old it is, and it looks pretty much the same now as it did when Darrell got it. They don't make toys like that anymore.
The real monkeys from the ads used to live at Twycross Zoo, and I remember my Dad taking us there a few times, so Darrell could see them.







Did a little gardening over the weekend, and this old fashioned Aquilegia, I think they are called Grannys Bonnets, were very much flavour of the day for the bees! They were loving them. I also have some in white, and two shades of purple, and they are quite shameless about spreading their seeds all over the garden, which I rather like.

I also made some Christmas cards for the Fortnightly challenge, and they are in the post below.






And finally..............following on from last weeks Viking revelation............................




28 comments:

Helen said...

I love the week after our anniversaries as the results of everyone's atc haul are revealed - you did strike it lucky!
I do remember the PG Tips monkeys - that toy is huge, and well loved still obviously - and it's huge!!
Helen #?

Sarah Brennan said...

Hi Shaz, I remember being taken to Twycross Zoo as a child to visit the PG Tips chimps and see their tea parties. Glad the ATC arrived safely, thanks for yours! Have a good week. Sarah #8

Neet said...

Gosh, the PG Chips, wonder what the PC Brigade would say now? That certainly is a good replica - life size? He's big!
Lovely collection of atc's some of which i have duplicates of - and all those goodies.
Love Aquilegia, got a very pale pink one in a side border but thought I had transferred it to the main garden. Sadly it is not there so guess I will have to try again. Love the name Granny's Bonnets - thanks for that.
Hugs, Neet 4 xx

Julia Dunnit said...

Well, love your collection of ATCs and goodies...you dont seem to have mine there . I will PM you and check your address. Am on phone at mo and this is taking an age, so will do it later....Bart & me on a trip to Brighton to visit a client. well, obviously, I’m just along for the ride and a nosey! I might need to send you another, I cant possibly not have you on my list of people I force my art onto!! Loved your ATC it arrived yesterday, and it struck me immediately how several deskers chose a fairy or nymph - maybe its a tend to match all the wonderful ethereal backgrounds being created with various techniques now. I didnt know about Aquilegia and Granny’s bonnets being the same plant...I really have to up y gardening game..specially if the bees like them. Currently excavating and reclaiming our garden from a sort of ‘tidy neglect’, but I dont enjoy it. Too lazy. IS it really 47 years since the PG Chimps..Chrissy, thats 2 generations! Argh!

Annie said...

What a lot of love you’ve had through your letterbox. It’s such a lovely thing to do isn’t it?
PG Tips chimps? Can you ride a tandem? You hum it and I’ll play it! Oh yesssss I loved them and thanks for the memory jog.
Hugs,
Annie x #12

Kyla said...

Ooh so many lovely ATCs and yes I remember those chimps, piano, staircase. ...what could go wrong!
Kyla

Anne said...

What a wonderful collection of ATC's! The 'chimp' is fab. Yes I remember them well! Your ' funny' at the end made me giggle. Take care Anne x #20

Anne said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You received a stunning amount of beautiful ATCs, Shaz. It shows what a popular person you are. I wish I could leave comments to Zsuzsa, because her work is fabulous. She always seems to have such great ideas and makes incredible art, too. What she sent you is amazing.

I want to thank you for trying to help me contact Sarah last week. Thankfully plan A worked out and I was able to get in touch with her. But, I appreciate your generosity, anyway.

Since I live in the states, I never heard of the Tips Tea monkeys. I may not be of a that certain age, either. Happy WOYWW from #10.

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Oooh, wonderful goodies received and what a great staging for them! Love all of everyone's ATCs - I'm so glad I took part in this year's swap! I used to have a monkey similar to that one - it was bright orange and I instantly fell in love with it in the toy shop and wouldn't leave until my dad bought it for me - he took me there to find out what I wanted for Christmas and he was going to go back to get it, but I looked up at him with tears in my eyes and he had to buy it right then and there - but I wasn't allowed to have it until Christmas - I still remember it so clearly - it's one of my earliest memories - I must have been 5 or 6 and I slept with that monkey well into my teenage years, so it was true love! My parents still have it somewhere in the attic! Thank you so much for your lovely ATC, Shaz! The matching envelope is a work of art in itself! Have a great week! Happy #469! zsuzsa #17

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Fabulous collection of ATCs, all gorgeous. Loving the monkey though I am not admitting to remembering those Lol! I must have a look at your Christmas cards too as I noticed them as I arrived and they look really nice. Have a lovely woyww and happy crafting, Angela x16x

craftyani said...

Gosh what a lot of ATC's all beautiful. Bet the chimp wouldn't pass the health and safety checks today, I have an old dog called Patch and he has wires through his legs and is so old now they are sticking out of his feet, but did they harm me NO. Ani #2

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Lots of wonderful things on your blog today - the ATCs are gorgeous, I love all the different styles! Thank you for yours, I did really appreciate the hare ;-). I adore aquilegias too, especially the very froufrou Nora Barlow, who's a frilly gal and spreads herself freely around the garden....I must get some for my new borders!
And I'm saying nothing about the 'and finally' pic but a very loud snort could be heard......
Hugs LLJ 11 xxx

glitterandglue said...

Hi Shaz. Yes, I remember the PGtips chimps - must be my age!! You have a delightful collection of ATCs. Thanks so much for yours - it has arrived safely. LOVE the last comment today! No, I couldn't stop laughing!
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #7

Diana Taylor said...

Gosh, you've taken me down memory lane with the PG chimps - I do remember them so well, and I would have sold my soul for a chimp like that when I was young! I had a thing about chimps, including an imaginary friend who was a chimp and led me into all sorts of trouble!
Thank you so much for your beautiful ATC, I do so love your ethereal style - and that little hare is adorable (is it Poppy stamps by any chance?). You have a wonderful collection of ATC's there - what a talented and friendly bunch the deskers are!
Hope you have a great week,
Hugs, Diana xx #21

Lillianb said...

I really do remember the monkey and its lovely he is still played with, Thank you for visiting my blog Great selections on Birthday things

Lilian B #15

Suzanne Alexis said...

Haha, I love the meme at the end! All of those cards and ATC's look fantastic! I regret forgetting about the swap! (I'll post yours tomorrow.) But I had fun learning about and making them. We finally were able to do some gardening here in Chicago too, after the weather warmed up! Have a great week!

Suzanne #27

Twiglet said...

Ha ha - Annie showing her age in her comment about the chimps!! So many beautiful ATCs - thanks for yours - we have loved opening all our little envelopes and enjoying the crafty/arty activity within. x Jo

Diana Taylor said...

Thanks for the stamp information Shaz, I don't know why I asked if they were Poppy stamps, I meant to say Lavinia - I must have been having a 'moment'! I think at the very least the hare stamp will be making it's way to my place soon! xx

Stacy Sheldon said...

Hi Shaz, ooh that is so cool that the monkey survived to be passed down :) Nope, I have never heard of it. but, its probably a UK thing and so, its not that big of a surprise. Love all the trees on the Christmas cards too ~Stacy #24

Heather M said...

Hi Shaz, lovely collection of ATCs you have there. What fun receiving all that mail! Many thanks for yours ... I love Lavinia Stamps, definitely my favourites. Thanks for visiting earlier, I have a few ideas on stamp storage to look into now. Ok I confess I remember the PG Tips chimps. The piano and the staircase is the one I remember. Have a lovely week Heather x #13

Shoshi said...

Hi, our resident Viking! Had a good week of pillaging? Well, I expect you've been too busy for that, what with the ATC swap and everything. What a great collection of ATCs, Shaz. Thank you for your visit, and I'm glad you enjoyed the cards and the new garden stuff. I have had a brilliant birthday thank you.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #3

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Morning Shaz, what a lovely share of all those creative ATC's and added extra's if only we received one of these with our bills it would surely cushion the blow hee hee!!
I remember the PG Tips Monkeys and my Uncle had one that was forever having to be stitched at the arm as he would swing it around (Poor thing!!) Fabulous to see further generations playing with it, a timeless toy and well loved.
Thank you for visiting and sharing WOYWW.
Wishing you a wonderful week and good weather.
Hugs Tracey #9

Lindart said...

Wow! What lovely cards, ATCs and goodies! I should start now to get more ATCs done for year 10-that should be a BIG one! This was my 1st year to send an ATC, and I sent to one person. I hope to do better next year! Your flower is beautiful - I think it belongs to the same family as my Bleeding Heart, it looks similar and the leaves look similar as well. I wonder! Have a great week, Lindart #25

My name is Cindy said...

Hi Shaz! Belated thanks for your ATC - I got in such a muddle I couldn't remember who I've said thanks to!! And I had a spreadsheet and everything. Anyhoo, lovely ATC and envelope (have a plan for that ha ha!!). Thanks for swapping!! Cindy x

Kim said...

Hi Shaz, Happy Belated WOYWW! Just getting around and I'm so glad my card arrived. Did you check out heating the stamp yet? While I've not heard of the PG Chimps, I had a bear that was taller than I until about age 4; kinda cool to have a toy that you could look up to.
Have a great week! (Oh, and I'd never laugh...)
-K #29

Nikki said...

Wow did you swap with lots of people that is quite a huge collection to. Everyone my makes so many wonderful cards thank you for swapping with me hugs Nikki

Kelly said...

Greetings Shaz!
Thank you for the visit this week. Sorry there wasn't more to show. I didn't accomplish as much as I should have with the internet down. Everything seems to be running smoothly now. What a great story about the monkey. I love older toys. Back when toys were well-made and children were taught to take care of them. Love the happy mail you've received. Such talented artists amongst our group. Thank you so very much for introducing me to the gathering. Creative Blessings! Kelly #28

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