Happy New Year

Dear all

Just a short post as it is NY Eve. We had a fabulous Xmas with my parents, Brother and Nephew and received loads of lovely presents some crafty some not. The parents had to rush back up north yesterday so as to miss the forecast snow and I'm currently having a very laid back New Years Eve with Champers, a chinese and a few girlie friends. No card today,but will be back soon with some of the last items I made in the year.

Finally thank you to everyone who reads my blog and I wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year

Hugs

The end is nigh

Hi all

Not quiet a big finale, but here is the last of my Xmas cards.These are just some little ones I made for the kids.

From now on it is the countdown to Xmas and strictly a Xmas card free zone! So I might not be posting every day now as it is starting to get a little hectic.............

These cards were really simple to make and from start to finish only took 30 mins to put together. Which is great when you are rapidly running out of time.

Recipe: 247-251/365 Stamps: Inkadinkado - Christmas characters coloured with copics. Papers and ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Oh Christmas tree......

Hi all

I'm finally getting my Xmas Mojo!! In the last 24 hours I have put up my tree, finished off my Xmas shopping (albeit I now have to find gifts for my family from my hopeless brother and father- men eh!!) and started writing all my Christmas cards.

I have been so busy that I haven't made a card today, but thought I would show you another of my mass produced cards.

This card is just for fun, but incorporates this lovely Hero Arts Poinsettia Circle and I have used a twister card to fully show it off as each side of the circle part of the card is decorated indentically.

The normal close up......

Recipe: 246/365 Stamps: Poinsettia Circle from Hero Arts stamped in Brilliance Poppy Red. Other: Anita's Glitterations - Circle Frames - Black, Poinsettia flowers from Craftwork cards. Diamante from stash, but no stickles!!!!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

 xx

Let it snow

Hi all

I promise you I really don't want it too snow!
Although I love looking at everything blanketed in white from my window, life doesn't work that way and at some point you always have to venture out into the frozen ice or slushy paths and roads.

Todays card is for the yummy sketch over at Truely Scrumptious and I have also included it in Cute card Thursday which was Girly Swirly and Just magnolia to make a card for someone special.

 I tweaked the swirl to fit the layout, but apart from that everything else was very simple. I can't tell you who the special person is as they read this blog! A closer view below.

Recipe: 245/365 Stamps: Magnolia - Wrapped Tilda, Hero Arts - Clings snowflake circle coloured with copics and brilliance inks. Papers: From stash. Punches - Martha Stewart Lever Border Punch - Icicles.  Die cut Nesties - Circles,  Bigz - Decorative Accent w/Flower. Cuttlebug embossing folder - Snowflakes. Loads of Stardust stickles.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Paper Take Weekly - 29

Hi all

What a lovely day I have had today. The weather was rubbish, but I had my great friend Hilary staying with us and as it was too wet/cold to go Xmas shopping we spent the day crafting  utter bliss....... She has a completely different style to me so its always fun swapping ideas and tips.

I managed to add to my production line of the Xmas cards I needed to finish by tomorrow, but also managed to finish this card using the sketch over at Paper take weekly.

The card uses the lovely Tilda unwrapping an present from the so snowy range.

A close up below.

Recipe 244/365 Stamps: Magnolia - Tilda unwrapping a present, Christmas text background stamped in Sepia Versafine and coloured with distressed inks. Papers: Ladybug and friends.com - Foruenttningen, God Jul, Juleglede. Punch - Martha Stewart - Punch Around The Page Punch Set - Scallop 3-Dot. Loads stickles.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Indigo Blue

Hi all

Todays cards are for the sketch challenge over at Mojo Monday using the theme colour of Indigo Blue on the ABC challenge. As the sketch was so yummy I used it 3 times. Plus as I am now in over drive to get all my cards completed in bulk is order of the day!! Not that I am panicing or anything!

All the cards use the very yummy Inkadinkdo christmas Silhouette and winter birds and are embossed on pearl white card.

A couple of close ups

Recipe 240-243/365 Stamps: Inkadinkado - Christmas silhouette and Winter Birds. Sentiments: Inkadinkado - Christmas Characters, Magnolia - Santa is coming, Stamping Up - Circle of friends all embosssed in Moon Glow two-toned embossing powder - Midnight Sapphire Obsidian. Papers: Craftwork cards - Jackfrost. Plus lashings of Stickles

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Saturday Night In............

Hi all

Just a couple of previously made cards as I was due to be out tonight, but unfortunately our friends couldn't make it, so here we are at home suffering X factor !! yuch

These are a couple of cards we did with Gaynor White. One quite complicated with 9 layers of decoupage and the other realtively simple as it all made with die cut pieces.

A close up there really are 9 layers !

Recipe: 238/365 Stamps: Gillian Roberts - Mistletoe & Mice. Papers: Bazzill Basics. Punch - Martha Stewart - Martha Stewart - Punch Around The Page Punch Set - Aspen Snowflake. Card Candy from Craftwork cards, Jelly roll pen in clear & Glossy accents

Recipe: 239/365 Papers: My Mind's Eye Double Sided Paper - Be Loved - Lovely Loops,Beautiful Branches Punch: Martha Stewart - Punch Around The Page Punch Set - Scallop 3-Dot. Die Cuts - Bigz - Decorative Accent w/Flower, Flower, Build A Flower #3

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Penny Black - 77

Hi all

Well its now less than 3 weeks to christmas and I still have loads to do. However did I manage before when I was working!! LOL I suppose for the last few years we have mainly been away,whilst this year we have the family around and they are all decending on Boxing day chez moi along with quite a few friends and neighbours. OMG !

The weather is still freezing and so todays card was all about cozy comfort - Penny Black stamp - always faithful and fabulous sketch, Red and Green traditional colours therefore little thought required for the Cupcake Craft challenge. Add a bit of gold to the red and green and its all go for Stampin for the weekend

Recipe: 237/365 Stamps: Penny Black - ... in a pear tree, sentiment from Christmas critters stamped in Pearlescent Ivy brilliance. Papers: Bazzill Bling and Mirri card. Liquid pearls -red. Glossy accents on balls.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Silver & lilac

Hi all

Today is all mammoth multi challenge card covering no less than five challenges:

Friday Sketchers - Sketch
Stampin for the weekend - Lilac and silver with additional request of a gift Card and tag
Colour Create - Lilac, Aqua Blackand white
A spoonful of Sugar - Non traditional christmas colours
Creative inspirations - Christmas card and tag set.

The image is from the fabulous Inkadinkado Christmas silhouette set embossed in silver and the snowflakes filled with aqua and diamond stickles.

A close up shows the image in more detail. Inside I have created a pocket to hold an I-Tunes voucher or similar gift card, but have slipped a co-ordinating tag in the slot for now. The tag has a snowflake sponged in silver ink using the negative from the punched snowflake embellies and is finished off with a little lilac and silver ribbon.

Recipe: 236:365 Stamps: Inkadinkado christmas silhouette. Papers: DCWV- Rose tinted christmas. Punch - Martha Stewart - Punch around the page - Aspen snowflake & glacial snowflake. Ribbon from stash & lashings of stickles.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sugar Bowl - Challenge 24

Hi all
I'm back from my little trip to Lille and have been a busy bee today catching up with all of my chores. So I will post some of my photo's later in the week.

Well some of my attempts at scheduling my posts ended up on the wrong days, but that was more the author than the system!  whoops!.

So today we are back to real time and I have just got time to load this card for the my first time playing in the Sugar Bowl with a sketch designed by the uber talented Marlene and a requirement for some Zig-zag.

I used the adorable Pip with presents and coloured him with  copics. The presents were Glamour dusted  and the hat was trimmed with white flock, which I was introduced to by Jane Gill at the weekend (where we made a futher 3 Xmas cards). 

.

A close up above really shows off the fur trimmed hat

Recipe: 235:365 Stamps: Pip with Presents from Funky Kits, Papers from Craftwork cards and some glamour dust, white flocking and some glossy accents.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Mojo Monday - 114

Hi all

Well once again this is a scheduled post as I am now esconsed in Lille and will no doubt be nursing my sore feet due to walking around the markets all day. LOL

Todays card uses the sketch over at Mojo Monday and the colourway over at Colour Create of Red, Green and White. The photography is again pretty pants and has washed all the colour out, but was still fun to make. This Tilda just looks so cute sat on this bench as if she is patiently waiting for her presents. I stamped, coloured and cut some extra holly from the bench. and used them as embellies.

Recipe: 231/365 Stamps:  Magnolia - Tilda with heart ornament and santa's bench coloured with distsressed inks. Papers: from stash Others: Martha Stewart punch - scallop 3 dot, sentiment - craftwork cards, Glossy accents and yes, you guessed it loads of stardust stickles

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Kissing under the Mistletoe!

Hi all

I'm back !

Todays card is an ode to mistletoe  as virtually every layer has some mistletoe on it in some format. I have used another of the little mini Magnolia stamps that I purchased at the NEC recently.  She has been surrounded by a ring of stamped branches from the very lovely Lavinia Stamp range.

Recipe: 230/365 Stamps: Magnolia - Mini Tilda under mistletoe. Lavinia Stamps coloured with distressed inks. Papers: Magnolia - Under the mistletoe. Sentiment - Craftwork cards, Cuttlebug embossing folders - fancy corners coloured with Jelly Roll pens, liquid pearls & a sprinkle of stardust stickles!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Sunday Sketch & Stamp

Hi all

Hopefully you are reading this on Friday and therefore my scheduling has worked. Although we are not going to France until Sunday I have so much on I had to get everything planned in advance.

Todays card is using the lovely sketch over on Sunday Sketch and stamp. I wanted to keep the design simple and therefore went for the Inkadinkado christmas silhouette set and used the trailing angel, who is so beautiful in her own right.

Recipe: 230/365 Stamp: Inkadinkado silhouette embossed in detail gold. Papers White pearl and gold mirri card. Other: Nestie - mega rectangles, gold ribbon, small domed gold stickers & loads of stickles!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Stampin for the weekend - 25

Hi all

Another blue sky day today and the garden was sufficiently dry for me to get out and give the grass a cut and to do a few clearing up chores after all the storm damage. It was nice to get outside for the day and the garden looked so nice and tidy (well, until all the wind comes back tonight!).

This weekend we are off to Lille on the Eurostar to see the Christmas markets. I have never been to one before in mainland Europe so it should be fun. Plus I am also hoping it will help to inititate my Xmas spirit, cos despite having pretty much made all my Christmas cards and bought half of my presents I don't seem to have found my festive mojo yet.

Talking of cards here is todays offering,which uses the sketch over at Stampin for the weekend and the theme over at Penny Black of Winter Wonderland. PB also has a christmas countdown blog hop which goes around the DT and their blogs are gorgeous.

Try as I might I could not get the lighting right on this photo. I suspect that I need to change my improvised light box but I was in a hurry as I have to post the next 5 days cards tonight whilst I am out babysitting!

The tree is actuallly stamped and embossed in white as you can see better below I then sponged over with brilliance ink in orchid. The band going across under the ribbon is actually silver (!) and has been embosssed with the cuttlebug snowflake embossing plate. The snowflakes have been cut with nesties and again the colour has not come out at all well as the back one is actually purple!!

Recipe: 228/365 Stamps Fantasy  and snowflakes- Penny Black. Sentiment from Flutterby dreams. Papers - From stash! other Nesties - Build a snowflake and snowflakes Card candy - Craftwork cards Cuttlebug embossing folders - snowflakes, diamante coloured with copics, ribbon and brad from stash.

Hopefully all the cards appear as planned over the next few days!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Whiff of Joy - Challenge 41

Hi all

The weather seems to have taken note of my moaning yesterday as today has been very nice, blue skies and not a breath of wind or a drop of rain in sight !

However not everything went well today as I managed to miss another challenge tonight, but had made a few cards so not everything is lost. It also means I can have a go at scheduling some posts whilst we are in France next week.

Todays card is purely and simply for the Lily of the Valley challenge, which is a fab sketch and it means I get to use this cute little stamp again.

Recipe: 228/365 Stamps: LOTV - Bunnies Stocking coloured in distressed inks. Papers - Plum pudding. Other: Flowers & sentiment -craftwork cards, Diamante from stash plus loads of Stardust Stickles.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara  xx

Sparkle, Glitz & Bling

Hi all

Gosh when is this windy weather going to cease. Its been blowing all the leaves from my Magnolia tree into my neighbours garden and I keep getting these dirty looks thrown at me when I leave the house (although I do offer to help!). How embarrassing!! Thankfully there are hardly any leaves left on the tree so my troubles will be over soon.

I made a bit of a whoopsie yesterday and forgot to to post my card so now I have missed the challenge I will post later in the week Oops!

Today my card followed the lovely sketch over at Friday sketchers, but also covers the challenges on Totally Gorjuss to use any girlie image, Creative Inspirations to Sparkle, Just Magnolia to use masking, a little bit of BG paper for the Basic Grey 'Glitz and Bling' challenge and finally Papertake Weekly to create use your favourite Christmas stamps

Recipe:  227/365 Stamps - Magnolia - Wrapped Tilda & Snowy circle coloured with Copics and the bow is watercoloured with Jellyroll pens. Papers Basic Grey - Snowbank, Sei -winter Song, Flocked snowflake vellum. Sentiment and Card candy -craftwork cards. Tulle and pins from stash. Plus loads of stickles !!

 Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Class challenge

Hi all

Back again!

Sorry I haven't posted this week, but I have had a very busy week. Two hour interview Monday, which unfortunately still didn't land me the job. Another interview for a contract landed Tuesday afternoon and the same happened Wednesday, one of which I am still waiting for an answer for (Here's hoping!) Then Thursday I picked up a day contracting. Phew!! I had forgotton how tiring it was to work!! Then today it was supposed to be a nice day of relaxing, card making with some lovely ladies down at The Glitter Pot. It didn't quite end up that way as we made three cards and five toppers in less than 4 hours! Trust me that is very quick for me!

All the cards are made using various stamps from Art Impressions range, the great Xmas word set from Woodware some polar white Flowersoft and a splash of Stickles.  I have made all of the toppers into cards now, but am too pooped to do anything else tonight.

Time for a bit of Jungle action now me thinks!!  (thats 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here' to those not from the UK)

Ciao

Sara xx