Spending time with my best boys...

Whenever I'm in Texas I always try to spend time with two of my favourite fellas, Jim and Cesar. Love these guys.

Cesar twisted my arm (not a lot lol) and we got stuck into the champers.

More glasses for my collection

They are always so thoughtful. Last time I stayed I was a bit freaked out at the combination of red hair and white bedding. Imagine my surprise to see new red bedding. bless them .

Look at the fabulous mini me made by the lovely Kim

After a few cheeky vimtos it was time to slip into something comfy, lol. here in all its glory is my latest acquisition, a vintage cat suit. Grrrrrrr!!

The next day Jim and I went out and about. They live in the country and I was really taken with the fields of corn.

We went to a fantastic little area, full of funky shops. We spent a lot of time in this one, as you can imagine.

Jim promised he would come back and get this for me if I ever decided to get married lol.

This however did find its way into my case courtesy of Jims generosity,

We then thought we would have a little saunter round the boot shop…BIG mistake… Look what I found.

 They fit as though they were made for me, but they were sooo expensive. I umped and aaahed for ages, but couldn't quite justify the cost so eventually put them back on the shelf and hotfooted it out of the door!  Now I wish I had been reckless and just bought them, but hey ho !!

Then it was on to the antiques place where we caught up with Cesar. Here he is modelling my new hat lol.

Look at this beauty I found. Fully refurbished working order

Lol, am I gazing a bit too adoringly ??

Then it was back to another boot store where i bought a more affordable and more wearable pair of go with anything black boots. Still regret the skull boots though lol

Look at this fabulous piece Jim made using my Dylusions stamps. Sooo cool.

The evening was spent eating Pei Wei take out and getting hooked on Ru Pauls drag race. All too soon it was the next day and time to prepare for leaving.

Cue sad sad faces.

They were driving me to my next destination and we decided to stop at Collins Street Bakery for a pot of lunch.

Here we are at my next stop

Love how this sign makes me look slim he he

Oh no its goodbye time, all too soon.

 Well at least I tried to get them to stay longer.!@!!

Doesn't time fly when you're having a blast? Next time we need longer. Thank you to the both of you for everything, love you both to the moon and back.

If you want to see Jims account of my visit pop along HERE. Leave a comment giving him some lurve.

Enjoy xx

Willie Wonka eat your heart out….

After the fabulous shopping day, I had the supreme honour of being invited to tour the Stampers Anonymous Headquarters. I was so excited, I thought I was going to burst. This is where my stamp designs are turned into reality.

My guide was Mr Stampers Anonymous himself the lovely Ted.

Just happened to catch a photo of Mrs SA's Dad. Such a cutie.

Piles of my designs printed in rubber ready to be cut out.

How high are the stacks of finished stuff?

Can you tell I'm excited?

 The overly Mr Martin working the clicker machine, which automatically cuts the stamps out.

All the index sheets waiting for the stamps.

Drawers and drawer full of the dies, for every design.

The lovely Sue who cuts out the larger stamps by scroll saw.

The gorgeous Carl, who is working the Vulcanisers which mould the rubber into the matrix's. Gotta love Carl, he always takes time to look after me at shows, checking if I need anything. He's a doll.!

This is a matrix board. Somehow my design is acid etched onto here. The rubber is laid on top and then placed in the hot Vulcanisers. Really cool stuff.

The lovely Joyce, always smiling.

A fabulous example of an old printing press

The factory has had a new upper floor put in. Look at the size of Teds RV and trailer!!

The lasers cut out all of Tim and Wendy's stencils. The demand is so high they now have three rooms full of lasers, all working round the clock. Fascinating to watch.

Another view from upstairs.

They have a fabulous purpose built classroom, so we decide to do some staff training.

But first, lunch. I was treated to the amazing Reuben sandwich. Warm corned beef and sauerkraut on toasted bread. Complete with pickle! But there was enough meat to feed a family of four!!!

 My first class of the afternoon, consisting solely of SA employees.

Ditto with the second class. I was so excited how many people wanted to learn about my products.

We had a fabulous time in both classes and laughed the whole way through.

So sad when the party oops workshops were over!!!

Thank you to everyone at Stampers Anonymous for making me feel so welcome. You were all fantastic.. It was amazing to see how everything was made from  the start to the finished product.
I picked out a corner of one of the buildings that was flooded with light and I have bagged it for me. It would make a fabulous studio where I could sit and design more stamps. Don't let anyone use it for other things lol.

Enjoy xx