Crafty Little Minx

Travel Blog

2010-08-31T14:06:00.000+01:00

Dear all

With only 12 days until we leave of our round the world 'Gap year' I have finally managed to set up a little blog which Dean & I will be posting bits of our journey to update you all!!

http://deanosontour.blogspot.com/

The name is inspired by the cricket fraturity that we travel with who imaginatively came up with the name Mrs Deano on my first tour (partner's name being Dean !!), which has sort of stuck & we are now known as 'the Deano's' - I didn't say it was clever!

Please feel free to come and leave a comment or two on our travels. It will be great to hear what's happening with you guys.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

On the move

2010-08-10T13:30:00.000+01:00

Dear all

We now have some limited access to email, which gives me an opportunity to update everyone with our news.

The house is nearly finished, just a bit of snagging and the floors to put down then we can move back in. Its so exciting to finally have a move date and I can't wait to put all of my bits and pieces back in their new homes.

The sort of bad news it that I won't be able to get my craft room up and running cos guess what we are off again, but this time around the world!! We leave on the 12th September bound for the far East with all sorts of adventures planned for the following 11 months. So with bitter sweet anticipation I will be stroking everything reverently before packing my craft stuff up in the loft (well the remaining stash after my mother had raided it!!).

We are going to set up an adjacent Blog which we will use a a travel journal. As soon as I have pulled my finger out I will let you know the link!

Catch you soon

Hugs

Dino Saw................

2010-05-20T23:19:00.002+01:00

Back again

Found a bit of time to do another card tonight and went from complete girly pinks to male neutrals not that you should really stereotype colours I know quite a few men that wear pink (shirts!).

The house renovations are moving along nicely and we now have the new roof going on the old house and the new extension. Inside the rewire is complete and all the plastering is well underway so now I get all the nice tasks of picking light fittings and bathroom tiles etc.

Anyway the card tonight is once again covering a number of really fabulous challenges:

Fridays Sketchers - Sketch
Colour Create - Khaki/Aqua/Brown/Cream with an additional requirement of circles (oops missed this one!!)
Secret crafter - metal
Stampin for the weekend - A card for a male

This image is one from Woodware and has been coloured with distress inks onto suede paper which gives a very lovely texture. The papers are from an old pad had from BG and all the colours really suit masculine cards. I embossed a piece of scrap card to look like metal and added some ribbon from Stamping Up and a little metal charm to finish it off.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Say it with Flowers

2010-05-19T10:35:00.029+01:00

Hi Everyone

Very quick post as I couldn't resist making a card tonight as there were some fantastic challenges around.
LOTV -Sketch
Cute Card Thursday -Someone special
Just Magnolia - One for the Girls
Basic Grey - Punch it
A Spoonful of Sugar -Cute & Girly
Papertake weekly - Say it with Flowers
Penny Black - Flowers

Phew told you I was inspired!!!

I just love this new Tilda and I know I went a little mad with the flowers, which I also glimmer misted but ho hum they are very cute that way.

Recipe: Stamps: Sentiments x2 penny Black Salutations, Midsummer Tilda from magnolia. Papers: Basic Grey - Sugared. Martha Stewart Lever Border Punch - Lace Doily. Flowers fromWild Orchid. Card Candy from Craftwork Cards. Ribbon from stash & stickles all over!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Friendship

2010-05-04T22:08:00.000+01:00

Hi Everyone

Last card for this week as I am finding it too hard to craft when back from work as I am having to spend over 4 hours each day commuting which is a bit of a killer. the building work is coming along. I now have a couple of walls missing, the new extension walls are now built and the first fix new electrics have been done in the old house. Not bad for one week!

So anyway back to today's card. This is another male card (I'm getting there!) and uses some old BG Design papers I have had for ages. I have also managed to fit it into three challenges:

Fridays sketchers - Sketch
Penny Black - Punches
Secret Crafter - Friendship

I thought this stamp really fitted the bill especially the accompanying sentiment.I coloured it with copics, but managed to avoid my customary stickles frenzy! However I couldn't leave it too plain so out came the MS punch!

Recipe: Stamp: Flyaway from Penny Black coloured with copics.Papers: Basic grey from my stash, and Bazzill in red and blue.. Ribbon from stash.

As always thanks for looking

Hugs

Thankyou

2010-05-03T23:02:00.024+01:00

Evening Everyone

Three days in a row, don't go into shock, I did say I would be scheduling some postings!

Todays card follows three challenges:
Sketch Saturday - Sketch
Creative Inspirations - Easel Card
ABC - T is for thankyou

I just had to use my new Magnolias again, and actually ended up using the same Tilda longing stamp as she seemed to lend herself to these lovely papers from My Minds Eye called Life Stories.

I had to slightly tweak the sketch and add some flowers as I managed to drop an ink pad onto the bottom of the card! However I rather like it this way so another one of those happy accidents we all have once in a while!

A close up showing the inside of the card with a cute little message fom Hero arts

Recipe: Stamps: Tilda Longing Magnolia, Message Hero Arts. Papers: My Minds Eye - Life Stories. Punch Martha Stewart double hearts. Flowers Prima Painterly Petals Hydrangeas - Rose. Diamante & ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Do Something different

2010-05-02T19:13:00.000+01:00

Hi all

Don't worry this is real! Two post in two days! I am making use of the broadband so am scheduling a few post for the rest of the week as well.

The weather has continued to be good here although it didn't really matter as I have been crafting all day!
So anyway today's card is a bit of a departure for me as I used an 8x8 card for the first time and then using a pair of scalloped scissors (another first) converted it in to a circular card (a triple first!). It all fitted in nicely with a few challenges namely:

Cupcake Craft - Don't be square
Mojo Monday - Sketch
Lily of the Valley - Here comes Summer
Simon Says Stamp - Buttons, Bows & Bling
Papertake Weekly - Do something different.

I used this very cute stamp from LOTV called lazy afternoon and seemed so apt for a summer theme. The papers were the Bobunny Flutter butter papers and a few scraps from the bottom of my craft bag. All the papers have been distressed using vintage photo ink. I made a faux button from a small scrap of paper and some Diamond Glaze and used it to represent the sun. Here is a close up:

Recipe: Stamps: LOTV - Lazy afternoon coloured with copics. Papers: Bobunny Flutter butter breeze, Flutter butter cutouts & stickers. Die cuts - Scalloped circles - Nestabilities, Martha Stewart - Punch Around The Page Edge Punch. - Loops. Ribbon and glass beads from stash

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Told you I'd be back!

2010-05-01T22:41:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone

I hope you are having a great long weekend. I escaped the madness of our temporary new home to spend 5 hours fighting my way up to Lancashire for a weekend with the parents and of course a bit of crafting. My mum has been lucky and managed to persuade my father to do a loft conversion (Well he and a friend) and make a hobby room, which has just been finished and you have to agree it looks fab.

There is another desk for my father and loads of space for books etc. Today the sun just poured in above (unlike you unlucky souls in the south!) and I finally managed to put ink to rubber!

I was pretty much spoilt for choice today so managed a few challenges along the way:

Truly Scrumptious - Sketch with added requirement to make a hidden message

Totally Gorjuss - In stitches

Stamptacular Sunday -'Sew' Special

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 3D something

I used my newly arrived spring collection from Magnolia and some very pretty papers from craftwork cards that managed to fall into my basket at a show.

To complete the recipe from TS I added a secret message to the tab and hid it under the image. All the images have been coloured with a mix of watercolour pencils and distressed inks and then raised on silicon. I just love this little frog and the cute message which all came in the pack.

Here is a close up which also shows the faux stitching around the tag.

So I hope to get some more cards make over the next couple of days, but am not sure when they will be posted as I we don't have broadband at the flat so am currently using anyone who will let me!

Have a fab weekend everyone and hope to do a little blog hopping soon and leave some messages..... promise!.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

All moved on..

2010-04-23T23:11:00.000+01:00

Hi All

Its been a while, but we finally moved last weekend and I managed to sneak quite a bit of crafty stuff into our temporary home so hopefully I will be able to dive back in soon. Not being able to craft has been worse than when I gave up smoking as I find it always relaxes me no matter how tough the day. Plus its been hell seeing all the new goodies pouring into my fav shops and having to resist temptation when I have so many other bits and pieces to order for the house. The builder starts on Monday so we are doing our final sweep of the house this weekend, which makes a great change to packing boxes - How did I manage to accumulate so much stuff!!

I have 15 weeks in our little flat and then we move back to our place and my new craft room! Can't wait!
So bear with me a little longer and I will have something to show soon.....

Hugs

Changes

2010-03-29T22:05:00.000+01:00

Hi Everyone
As you may have noticed my last post mentioned that I would be back with some cards, which I duly made and photographed. However some person(s) of unmentionable names not to be published on my blog, kindly broke into and ransacked the house. AGHHHHH ***** !! Despite all the locks and other protection it all came down to them crowbarring the patio door off which probably took longer to do than they spent in the house, but the upshot was that I then had to spend the next week sorting out the aftermath! Apart from a bit of cash and all my jewelley they only took my SD card (with all my card photos on)! They left the laptop, my lovely camera and all the other nice electrical items hanging around the house which would have been less emotional and replaceable- typical!
Of course to top it off this had to happen just as we were about to go on holiday so the last three weeks have been spent half way around the world getting over the intrusion and all the associated madness.
So no cards for a while and it will be a while longer yet I'm afraid as I have also just started a new job (yeah!!!) and to top it off we are just about to have tons of work done on the house so I will have to pack all my crafting stuff away. However there is a plus as some of this work is going to yield a brand new (shiny!) craft room - whoop whoop!! Please keep checking as I will post (intermittantly) little bits and pieces.
Thanks for visiting and I hope to be back as soon as I can catch my breath!

Hugs

Hello

2010-02-24T21:26:00.000Z

Hi all

Sorry to have been on the missing list, but I have been very hectic with interviews and have been spending far too much time doing a schedule of works for a huuuuge renovation we are having on the house Not a room will escape the builders works so the schedule was, to say the least, very long. However Dean did find time to whisk me off to the New Forest for a lovely weekend of walking & long lazy lunches bliss!

If you are ever in Fritham do try out this tiny little pub its serves the most amazing lunches but the menu doesn't include sandwiches or chips!! Thankfully there are some fab walks about to walk off all the excesses afterwards.

Walking in the northern reaches of the forest

Some of the resident ponies near our hotel in Brockenhurst

Back with some cards later in the week

Ciao

Love is in the air

2010-02-11T23:43:00.002Z

Hi Everyone

Todays card is another of the fabulous quilt cards inspired by the multi talented Jane Gill.

I thought I would enter it for the challenge on Stamptacular Sunday which is another seasonally apt theme of Love.The images have all been stamped in Momento and coloured with Copics.

A close up of a the front .

And another angle.......

Recipe: Stamps: Hero Clear stamps - Love many Ways, Magnolia sentiment. Papers: Papermania.

Thanks for looking
Hugs

Spots and dots, Buttons and bows

2010-02-10T21:41:00.001Z

Hi all

Still cold and trying to snow at every opportunity, but at least the ground is too wet for it to stick! I got fed up of all the dull weather and treated myself to some flowers so now the house is full of tulips, daffodils and Hyacinths. Spring is here according to my house!!
Tonights card is another multi challenge for:

Truely Scrumptious - Sketch
Cute Card Thursday - Spots and Dots
Lily of the Valley - Valentines
Secret Crafter - Monochrome and white

This card uses another of my recently acquired new stamps from LOTV and is aptly called Rosie Posy. I have coloured her with Copics and added some stickles for good measure. The button is another one from my grandmothers button box. Apologies for the washed out photo, my camera doesn't seem to like night time photography! or is that a bad crafter blames her tools.............

Recipe: Stamps: LOTV - Rosie Posy, Sentiment from Magnolia. Papers: My Minds Eye - Be loved Beautiful Branches double sided paper. Flower, Ribbon and cord from stash

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Marlene's Sketch

2010-02-09T23:08:00.000Z

Hi Everyone
Today I was down at Crafts U Love with the uber talented Kim Piggott where we made a tag card - well I nearly made one as there is so much involved in one of her cards it is impossible for a slow coach like me to finish in two hours!

So todays challenge card had to be a simple one! I used the sketch over on the Sugar Bowl by the lovely Marlene. The layout instantly had me reaching for their lovely cherub stamp and I coloured it with distresssed inks, divided it into four and then put crackle accents over top. Its the first time I have tried this and I am quite pleased with the result as the distressed inks didn't carry as much as I expected but has given a bit of an aged effect. The added requirement was to use lace and I used this fabulous cotton lace from Crafts U Love.

A close up of the crackle accents

Recipe: Stamps: Cherub from Funky Kits, Sentiment Great Flourish from Hero Arts. Papers: Basic Grey Bittersweet - Almond toffee. Flowers from Wild Orchid crafts.

Thanks for looking
Hugs

Be Loved

2010-02-08T23:55:00.001Z

Hi Everyone

Back again with my challenge card for the day! But first I have to say a big OMG to the weather! What is going on I have roses buding in the front garden all waiting for spring yet it has been snowing all afternoon! Luckily its not been settling or we would have been in trouble as I am off to see the very talented Kim Piggott tomorrow and I would have been upset to have missed that!

So back to my card which was for the following:

A Spoonful of Sugar - Sketch
Simon Says Stamp - Photo Inspiration of a red roses in a garden
Whiff of Joy - Love
Stampin for the Weekend - Valentine
I used the very cute Melinda from Whiff of joy which I paper pieced and coloured with Antique Linen distressed inks. I used some more of the 'Be Loved' papers from My Minds Eye which are such a great colour combo and make such a nice change to use from the seasonal pinks and reds. The shapes were all die cut using my nesties and edged with Vintage Photo Distressed inks.

Recipe: Stamps: Whiff of joy Melinda blowing kisses, Stamping Up Circle of friends. Papers: My Minds Eye Be Loved - Fond flowers, Affectionate flowers, Smitten Stripes. Nesties Scalloped, plain rectangles and hearts. Pearls and ribbon from stash finished off with Diamond Stickles!

Thanks for looking
Hugs

Mr & Mrs

2010-02-08T11:19:00.109Z

Hi Everyone

I thought I would post a 'just for fun' card here this morning prior to doing my challlenge , but then realised I could enter this at Stamptacular Sunday. For this week’s challenge you need to create a card or project that shows someone special in your life just how much you love them. If you do it without using any hearts you are entered twice in the draw. I have loads of weddings coming up this year and each every one of these couples are special to me! I had also not inked this simply irresistable new LOTV stamp that I received over a week ago and I just love it- Gasp! not sure how I managed to resist a whole week before inking this beauty! LOL. Don't they just look so grown up!

I made another easel card as I think these always look special and it allowed me to showcase these fabulous new 'Delish' papers that I found on The Scrapbook Company. The very lovely Debs was ever so helpful and my order arrived promptly the next day. Watch out for some cute menu cards and bling brads that managed to find their way into my basket as well - oops!!

A little close up showing the little couple whihc I coloured with Distressed inks and H20's and finished off with some liquid pearls. The flowers from Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts were glimmer misted prior to adding. This was inspired by the very lovely Kim Piggott who I met last week.

Recipe: Stamps: Wedding couple - Lily of the Valley, Sentiments - Hero Arts Two Hearts Wedding & Whiff of Joy General sayings. Papers: Delish High Tea Colllection and Coordinations. Nesties circle and scalloped circle, Martha Stewart - Punch Around The Page Punch Set - Scallop 3-Dot & Frond branch. Flowers from Prima and Wild Orchid crafts. Ribbon and brads from Papermania. Pin from stash

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Love Actually

2010-02-07T20:04:00.061Z

Hi Everyone

I hope everyone has had a great weekend. Mine has just flown by as I was working on Saturday, but I did manage to fit in a bit of me time today and made this card using the fab sketch on Mojo Monday The lovely colour combo of pink and cream over on Creative Inspirations and finally, used the theme of 'Love Actually' over on Papertake Weekly

I used this incredibly cute image from Belles and Whistles which is aptly named Sweet Love and had been sitting on my table just waiting to be inked up! I coloured them with Copics and then chalked the edges of the image in a pearlised pink to give an impression of soft focus, which I really like. As the light is still not good its not easy to see that I have used a heart embossing folder and a MS loop punch to add some additional texture.

Here is the romantic close up!

Recipe: Stamps: Sweet Love from Belles and Whistles, Sentiment from Crafts and Me, Hearts from Hero Arts. Papers: Imaginisce - Perfectly Posh Fancy Hearts, Bazzill bling birthstone - June. Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Heart Blocks, Martha Stewart - Punch Around The Page Edge Punch - Loops. Ribbon from stash and lashings of stardust stickles.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sir Stampalot Challenge

2010-02-02T23:02:00.000Z

Hi all

I hope you have checked out the Sir Stampalot challenge and blog hop at Floral Fantasies. Brenda has all the details on her blog

The Challenge and blog hop will run for two weeks closing at midnight GMT on 13th February 2010. The challenge theme is:

"MOVING"

The blog hop also has letters on each site which you collect and then re-arrange to make a phrase.

There are some superb prizes on offer. So what are you waiting for?

I'm off to 'hop'
See you tomorrow
Hugs

Hugs Cuddles & Kisses

2010-02-01T20:29:00.000Z

Hi Everyone

Back again this time with my proper posting!

My card today is another valentine's card, but I have managed to use one of my new LOTV stamps. This one is called bunny in love and although it is not one from the latest release I have been coverting it for a while.

I managed to tweak everything again so I could get this into 4 challenges:

Cupcake challenge - Four legged and furry

Papertake weekly - Sketch

Colour Create - Soft Pink, Soft Blue, White & Silver

Secret Crafter - Hearts

I am just loving this paper from Imaginisce. Its really good for romantic cards and the colours are bright and modern.

Recipe: Stamps: LOTV - Bunny. in Love, Sentiment - do-crafts. Papers: Imaginisce Perfectly Posh Paper - Painted Stripes, Bazzill bling - Sugar daddy. Nesties Scalloped and plain large circles, ribbon from stash & oodles of stardust stickles

Thanks for looking
Hugs

Loving wishes

2010-02-01T09:31:00.013Z

Hi all

This was supposed to be a scheduled post yesterday , but whoops I pressed the wrong button when I was rushing so following a bit of tweaking you get two for the price of one today!
Well today certainly seems to have turned the corner when it comes to the weather. We have had fabulous blue skies all weekend and until we went outside it could have been mistaken for spring - Brrrr!! On Saturday I was at the Glitter Pot at another sumptuous Jane Gill class where we made some fabulous cards using her new Now and Forever set from Woodware . It was great to see all the usual suspects and catch up as many of us hadn't seen each other for over a month due to all the snow. On Sunday I took advantage of the great light and Dean being out at nets and had a little play with a load of new bits and pieces that have made their way to me over the last few weeks - I blame all the cabin fever from the snow!

So todays card uses the stamps from the Magnolia winter set which arrived a couple of weeks ago.
I also used the quilt card template, which has become a firm favourite following Jane Gills great demo last year. Thanks Jane, I really can't stop using this as it is so adaptable, addictive but mostly very relaxing to sit and fold in front of the TV at night!

I have also managed to cover off three challenges:

A Spoonful of sugar - Freestyle
ABC - Masking
Creative Inspirations - Feminine

The Tilda and the candlestick have been stamped onto the masked piano and coloured with copics. I then stamped and coloured another tilda and mounted her over the edge of the quilt to give her some depth.

On the second quilt I have used the Elegant heart and once again stamped another image, coloured it with copics, embossed the back and mounted it with pinflair glue.

A close up just to show that the stickles are back on my desk!

Recipe: Stamps: Magnolia - Noble Tilda, Elegant Heart, Champagne & Candelabra, Loving wishes, Janes Script. Papers: Bazzill basics, Papermania signature linen. Stardust stickles....

Thanks for looking
Hugs

Something Sweet

2010-01-29T19:37:00.001Z

Hi Everyone
Tonights post is short but sweet as Dean is waiting to take me out for the evening and I just realised I hadn't written my post! Whoops!

So without further ado here is my card which is Something sweet from the Penny Black challenge and used the absolutely scrummy sketch under Truly Scrumptious.

This sketch was lovely to use and I will definately use again. I used this really cute PB cat and mouse stamp from the Pieces of my Heart set and coloured it with distressed inks and H2O's. The tissue paper flower was inspired by one of the tutorials on Paper craft planet.

Recipe: Stamps Penny Black - Piece of my Heart. Papers Doodlebug designer - Love Potion Flocked Cardstock, Red pearlescent card. Punch - Tag fromStamping up. Tissue paper and brad from stash.
Thanks for looking
Hugs

Blooming Gorgeous

2010-01-28T23:54:00.000Z

Hi Everyone

Boy I've been so busy this week and although I have made some cards I haven't had time to post them! I've missed a few fantastic challenges as well ho hum!.

Todays card covers a massive four challenges to make up for my absence :

Just Magnolia - Fabulous Sketch
Secret Crafter - Colour Challenge
Totally Gorjuss - Dimension
Cute Card Thursday - Blooming Gorgeous

So I used this very cute Charlston Tilda from my winter Magnolia pack. She just looks like she is on her way out to paint the town red! However instead of red I took a rest from Valentines pink and red and used these very delish BG Wisteria papers, which I really have not used enough. I have double mounted her and embossed the paper to provide plenty of dimension and of course applied plenty of stickles to basically everything!

Recipe: Stamps: Magnolia - Charlston Tilda. Papers: Basic Grey - Wisteria. & coordinations - eggplant. Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Daisy Pattern. Martha Stewart Lever Deep Edge Punch - Garden Trellis. Sentiment from craftwork cards. Ribbon and flowers from stash plus loads of Star Dust Stickles

Thanks for looking
Hugs

Papertake Weekly - Pretty Pink

2010-01-25T23:03:00.002Z

Hi Everyone

Sorry I have not been around, but I have been spending all my free time with Dean as he is finally back from SA. Its been really strange not having him around even though we spoke everyday! Of course I wasn't happy to see the huge pile of smelly laundry appear on the kitchen floor shortly after his appearence, but he must have missed me cos he did it all while I was a work on Saturday. I'm still in shock as I didn't think he even knew how to switch it on! lol

So my card tonight is for the challenge over at PTW which has a theme of Pretty Pink. I made this card very quickly last week when I was at my parents and is actually a very dark dusky pink although the camera seems to have turned it red!!LOL

It was very simple to make as it only involved some embossing folders and some embellies.

SORRY FOR SOME REASON BLOGGER LOST MY PHOTO OVER NIGHT NOW SORTED

Recipe: Stamps: none. Papers: from stash. Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Heart Blocks,Cuttlebug Cut & Emboss Combo Set - Textile Hearts,Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - Valentine Set. Ribbon and diamante from stash.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Back Again!!

2010-01-19T23:08:00.000Z

Hi Everyone

Back again with my second post of the day so this will be very quick. This card is for the challenges on Whiff of Joy, which is this lovely sketch and there is a photo inspiration over on Basic Grey from which I used the colours.

I have used the very cute Melinda with Bouquet and coloured her with copics (I'm still on limited supplies!). I have used a selection of papers from a BG Granola pad for all the layers and the flowers.

Recipe: Stamps Whiff of Joy - Melinda with Bouquet, General sentiments. Papers: Basic Grey - Granola. Nesties - Flower creations. Brown Tulle from stash.

Phew all finished! Tomorrow I will be winding my way down the M6 & M40 back to Surrey. It sure was nice to spend some time with my parents as when you are working these trips are hard to organise. I also managed to get my crafty Mojo back and made quite a few cards between all the shopping!

So up the hill to Bedfordshire for me

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Double take

2010-01-19T22:41:00.001Z

Hi Everyone

At last some good weather with a bit of blue sky showing its face. Looking at the weather forecast tonight it won't be for long, but at least all the previously forecast snow is not going to be as bad as predicted. Of course as the weather was nice today we only ventured out for a little while and spent the rest of the day crafting (typical me! LOL). So I managed to make quite a few cards, but am only posting two last minute ones for challenges and will post the rest when I don't have a card to show.

Firstly this one is for Truly Scrumptious, which was a sketch and an added option to use the colour combo, pink, green & black and also for a Spoonful of Sugar which had a theme of 'lots of layers'

The card has 6 layers including the image so I think it definately qualifies. I used the absolutely gorgeous fairy on tiptoe from Lily of the Valley. They have a new release of stamps due out on Monday 25th and judging by the sneak peaks I have had this week on the DT sites these are going to be very popular. I have included the copics I used below and then I painted everything in site with Stardust Stickles just for a change!! LOL

Recipe: Stamps - Lily of the Valley - Fairies - Tiptoe. Papers - DCWV Nana's Nursery, Coordinations. Sentiment - Craftwork cards. Flowers - Prima. Punch - Martha Stewart

I will be back shortly with my second card

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Life is a journey.............

2010-01-18T21:49:00.000Z

Hi all
My post today starts with some very exciting news about an event by Brenda over at Floral Fantasies.

On the 1st February there will be a very special ‘One Off Challenge’………with some rather special candy as the main prize. No ordinary candy, but a really serious piece of equipment that all of us would love to have in our craft rooms.

There will be some sneak peeks of the prizes on offer over the next three weeks........yes ‘prizes’ because as well as the main challenge prize, there will be runners up prizes and a Blog Hop with prizes to be won at each stopping point.

They need help to spread the word and make this as much fun as possible for everyone ........and there is even a prize for doing that. Does this all sound fun or what ? I'm sure you will all want to get involved and join in so head off to Brenda's blog now and get your name down for the first draw. All the information you will need to join in will be found there.

Back to reality now and my card today uses some of the papers that leapt into my basket yesterday when I was at Cardcraft Plus. They seemed to fit perfectly with the theme over at Simon Says Stamp which is Shabby Chic. I also used the great sketch over at Papertake Weekly.

The stamp is one I have not used for a while called Gretel from CC Designs. I have coloured her with copics and this time I have shown the ones I used underneath. I am always amazed at how many different colours I use just for a pretty simple stamp and I have just noticed I missed two out!!

Recipe: Stamps: CC Designs - Swiss Pixies - Gretel. Papers: Bobunny - Flutter butter breeze, Flutter butter cutouts. Cardcraft Plus - Brown Pearl card. Butterfly embossing plate from Bringing Crafts-Too you. Stardust stickles everywhere!!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

New year, new challenge

2010-01-17T23:15:00.001Z

Hi there

Well at last the snow has gone and as Dean is still in South Africa (watching us throw away the last cricket test to draw the series), I took the opportunity to take a little trip up to my parents in Lancs. My Mum is also a crafty little minx so I have spent the last two days crafting and shopping!
Today we went to the new outlet for Cardcraft Plus in Preston. Their old premises was very small and parking was a nightmare. Now they have a fabulously large place with loads of new products. Of course I had to have a little spend didn't I? LOL, but only bought some paper (as if I didn't have enough!) and some tape.

Todays card is another multi challenge entry for:

Cupcake Challenge - Going girly
Mojo Monday - Sketch
Creative Inspirations - New year, new products
Colour Create - Colour theme Kraft/White/Blue with an added requirement of texture

Because I was limited on the materials I had brought with me I had to use the reverse side of my lovely new Life Stories papers from Minds Eye for my piece of Kraft (basically looks like cardboard!). I did have a little whimper as I cut into it, but it was only a small piece so not too bad! I textured it with a new cuttlebug folder, that I had yet to use.

The very cute stamp is from Whiff of Joy and is coloured with copics. The rain drops and umbrella are highlighted with glass effect gel and stickles.

Recipe: Stamps: Whiff of Joy - Willow with Umberella, general sayings. Papers: Basic Grey - Mellow, Chocolate brown & Blue Co-ordinations, My Minds Eye - Life Stories. Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Distressed Stripes. Nesties - large circles and large scalloped circles. Sentiment - Craftwork Cards. Viva Glass effect Gel in crystal Clear, Stardust Stickles and ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Here come the girls

2010-01-11T17:00:00.003Z

Evening Everyone

I finally managed to escape today and catch up with all the chores that involved a car. I was slowly going up the wall couped up at home and couldn't settle at anything.
So as a consequence I have no card for today. Instead I thought I would show you a photo of a card we made at a class just before Christmas with the remarkable Jane Gill. Woodware have just brought out a very cute set of trucks and tractors (designed by Jane herself) which are great for all those difficult boys cards!!!

The tractors have been simply stamped in versafine and coloured with Inktense pencils. The sky has been chalked using a simple mask and the grass has been punched using a Leone Em Punch. Everything can be bought from the Glitter Pot

As you may have noticed from my posts there are a number of us that regularly attend Jane's class and have all become very friendly, so for her last class of the year we all brought a contribution for lunch and had a little party as you can see below. I can't take credit for the photos as although you can see a camera next my plate I had forgotten to put back my SD card in.... Duh! Anyway both of these photos were taken by the very kind Gill Penny who then emailed them on to me. Thanks to Gill for the photo's and Jane for organising the party.

Hugs

New Beginnings

2010-01-10T21:06:00.007Z

Evening all I know its a bit late to be writing about my new years resolutions but I have not been able to get into my crafting mojo zone this year. I think the fact that Dean has been away in SA since Xmas day, all this cold and snow and a little bit of a nasty sniffle have all combined to give me a bit of the winter blues. I don't really do resolutions as I find the whole thing a bit negative so on day 9 of 2010 I have agreed a few goals for myself that I would like to achieve over the next 12 months.

- Double the number of posts on my blog this year.

- Learn a new interest. (last year was knitting even if it was only a couple of scarves!)

- Finish the renovations on my house. (only been waiting 7 years!)
- Get to grips with my photo editing suite
- Weigh less at the end of the year than the start! (doesn't everyone!)

So to start the year off in the right frame I have loaded some of the little fridge lists that I made for some of my friends and family this Xmas. They all follow the same design and are basically mount board covered with these delish My Mind's Eye Double Sided Paper - Be Loved. I have then attached a Gorjuss girl, which has either been coloured with copics or paper pieced. Each one has different wording dependant on the recipient. I am entering these into two challenges, Papertake Weekly and Stampin' for the weekend which both have a theme of 'new beginnings'
The memo pads were from WH Smith & I just cut off the front cover and stuck them on. On the back I have stuck three strips of magnetic tape so it can attach to the fridge.

Last but not least I have included my basket of goodies, which were used as prizes when we played games over the festive period. They are small bags of sweets or bath treats, which are tied with ribbon and sealed with a stamped paper tag. On the back of each tag is a little message which was in keeping with the image on the front. ie snow man kisses, reindeer droppings or santa wishes.

Ingredients: Stamps: Gorjuss girl- Little miss attitude from Funky Kits Papers: My Mind's Eye Double Sided Paper - Be Loved - Smitten Stripes, Dearest Dots, Lovely Loops. Magnetic Tape all from The Glitter Pot. Die cut letters by Go Create - Skipton from click on crafts

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Brrrrrrrrrrr.........

2010-01-07T22:36:00.068Z

Gosh cold isn't it?

Not much going on today in Cobham, Surrey as the snow that came down yesterday has now turned to ice and has made our whole cul-de-sac into a skating rink and only a few hardy souls have skidded their way out.

Here are a few shots from yesterday lunchtime about 2 hours after the snow started in ernest.

From living room (too chicken to go outside and Iwas a bit worried I might turn into a snowman!)

View from the back of the living room to the side of the garden

View to side of garden once again showing the camellias and honeysuckle all frosted with the early snow. You can't see any of this now as it is all covered in one total layer of snow!

Although it all looks very pretty for about 24 hours I am official bored of it all now and dearly wish I was in South Africa in the 35 degree heat with Dean especially after the fantastic draw that the boys managed to pull off today!

Anyway back to some crafting, here is a card I made for a friends mother's 70th Birthday in December.

I am entering this in the ABC Challenge for this week which is L for Layering and there are plenty on this card!

This is a take on the Xmas quilt card I made a few weeks ago and I think it looks so pretty in these muted chocolate and pale pink colours

The paper panels have all been stamped using rubber stamp tapestry and the words are stamped using Janes Script.

The delish papers are from the Recency range from Papermania with all four panels tied up with a ribbon which is attached to the back of the third section. Everything came from the Glitter Pot.

The third panel was finished off with a cute little butterfly from RST - garden of blue set

and Nicky and in particukar her mother were very pleased with it to so mission accomplished!

Ingredients - Stamps: Rubber Stamp Tapestry: Garden of Blue, Christmas Garland, Partridge in a Pear tree. Papers: Papermania Signature - Regency, coordinations and glitter paper from Stash. Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and the ribbon and pearls are from my stash.

Thanks for looking and I hope you are not struggling too much in the snow if you are in the UK!

Hugs

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T23:00:00.001Z

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

2009-12-10T22:26:00.000Z

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......

2009-12-09T22:32:00.001Z

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

2009-12-08T21:00:00.007Z

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

2009-12-07T21:24:00.024Z

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

2009-12-06T23:00:00.002Z

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............

2009-12-05T22:39:00.002Z

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

2009-12-04T17:00:00.043Z

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

2009-12-03T23:00:00.066Z

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

2009-12-02T17:25:00.039Z

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

2009-11-29T17:00:00.048Z

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!

2009-11-28T17:00:00.002Z

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

2009-11-27T17:00:00.037Z

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

2009-11-26T19:10:00.001Z

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

2009-11-25T21:00:00.040Z

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

2009-11-24T23:56:00.005Z

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

2009-11-20T23:17:00.034Z

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

Winter Blues

2009-11-14T18:19:00.000Z

Hi All

OMG what a windy day has been today, it doesn't seem to have stopped blowing all day & as a consequnce I haven't set foot out the door yet!! I have been busy on a little crafty project I am working on and also preping for an interview & presentation I have on Monday (big gulps!!). Any way I did manage to squeeze a little bit of card making in between and have made another little gorjuss card!

I have managed to combine three more challenges again today (I know, I'm a little tinker!). Firstly the sketch over at Friday Sketchers was so lovely and simple it really cried out for some lush papers so I used some of the lovely KARS X-mas collection. The colour scheme was Blue, Silver & White to cover off the brief at Colour Create, which also asked for some winter and glitter (glitter? me!!), which I also added. The colour way also went with the Totally Gorjuss challenge which was 'Christmas Blues' which then dictated the stamp. This is such fun!

A close up of this little Gorjuss girl who I coloured with Copics today. Her hair is silver (not grey!!) to go with the colour scheme.

Finally I had another play with the acetate and twinklets, but this time paired it with some vellum

Recipe: 218/365 Stamps: Gorjuss girls - Sitting coloured with copics, Snowflake from Penny Black Crystalline collection. Paper: X-mas Collection from KARS, Nesties - Create a snowflake. Twicklets, stickles spacers and bling from stash

Right off to brave the weather now as my brother is having a birthday dinner tonight. If I don't post tomorrow I was obviously blown away!! LOL

Thanks for looking
Hugs

Sara xx

Snow much fun

2009-11-13T23:35:00.004Z

Hi all

What horrid weather today! Its been gloomy and rainy all day, but now the wind has really whipped itself into a real freenzy and the news is saying we are due to be hit by the worst storms this year. Lovely!

Oh well I had some great news today, I have won my first blog challenge which was over at Totally Gorjuss - how apt the theme was 'bling'!

So onwards and upwards to my next card I had to use another of my recent purchases for the NEC, which was this very cute snowman and once again I managed to combine a few challenges. The sketch is from the very very talented Mina over at Just Magnolia, the theme is based on create a scene from A spoonful of sugar, and also managed to squeeze in some snow (hard that when you are using snowmen.... LOL!!) for the Cupcake Craft challenge & finally unusually for me I used a liberal sprinkle of glitter which qualified it for Cute card Thursday which was 'glitter me silly'!

As has been typical all week the photo is not the best.... of course its the light rather than my rubbish photography!! It is tricky to see all of the glitter, but trust me its everywhere & the swowflakes have been covered in Twicklets which really make them sparkle.

The close up shows the snowy glitter highlights on top of the image, which has been coloured in distressed inks.

The snowflakes were made by punching and die-cutting snowflakes in acetate which were then covered in glossy accents and then sprinkled with the twinklets. Twicklets are made of finely ground glass so really do twinkle if you excuse the jokelet! I picked these up at Crafts U Love a couple of weeks ago going and was dying to use them. I have coloured the back of some of the snowflakes with a copic pen to give them a bit of depth.

Recipe: 217/365 Stamps: Frosty the snowman with snowflake, Winter Night background from magnolia & coloureed with distressed inks sentiment from Artifacts. Papers: Snowbank from Basic Grey & glitter card from stash. Brads, spacers & Charm from Zoe Bunny Crafts& finished off with loads of glitter and stickles!!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara

Totally Gorjuss - 3

2009-11-12T23:55:00.003Z

Back again!! Give the weather was so bad this afternoon I thought I would make another card and go for something really rich. I picked this fabulous flocked striped paper aas my starting point. Next it had to be the Totally Gorjuss 'bling' challenge and I thought I would have go at one of the very popular Easel cards that was on Secret Crafter and the papers I used qualified it for the Basic Grey challenge.

I'm still on the Christmas card treadmill, but with papers as gorgeous as these it makes life so easy. The bling is all over the card a little OTT, but thats me!! LOL. The stickles has been out again on the flowers, papers, charm and the image plus the pearls and card candy add another dimension. The photos don't really do the papers and colours justice, but ho hum I know!

The easel card was actually very easy to make. I went back to the trusty 6x6 size which made it a real sinch when cut from 12 x 12 cardstock.

The close up, which shows off the lovely message on the Bobunny papers and the cut little snow flake charm .

Recipe 216/365 Stamps: Gorjuss Girl - A little birdy told me coloured with Copics Papers: Basic Grey - Eskimo Kisses, 7 Gypsies - Savannah Flock paper Stripe, BoBunny - 12" Believe Cutout. Card candy - craftwork cards. Punch - Martha Stewart - Branch. Flowers - Poinsettia by Prima. Brads, pearls, spacers and charm from stash.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

In the meadow we can build a snowman

2009-11-12T22:30:00.003Z

Hi all

The challenge today used the sketch on Friday Sketchers and the theme over at Penny Black Saturday, which was to base the card on a song title or lyrics. I used this great sentiment stamp of the first line of Frosty the Snowman and it seems appropriate to use this really cute stamp. The colouring looks better than the photo shows - honestly hedgey is not purple, but all this gloomy weather makes for difficult photography! Some glossy accents on the scarf and stickles on the hat and sky to finish!

Recipe: 215/365 Stamps: Snowy & Hedgey - Penny Black coloured with copics. Sentiment from Great Impressions. Papers: Winter Wonderland from Craftwork Cards. Die Cut using Sizzix Bigx snowflake and nesties circles and scallopd circles. Pearl & glitter card from stash. Card candy from Craftwork Cards. Stardust stickles and Glossy accents.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

LOTV - Blog hop

2009-11-11T10:30:00.011Z

Hi

Just a quick post to tell you that Lily of the Valley have a new release of the mosts stunning stamps and the design team have put together a blog hop to celebrate.

The new release has some absolutely fabulous little boys that I know will be adding to my LOTV rubber pile very soon!!

Hugs

Sara

Very Distressing........

2009-11-10T21:06:00.051Z

Hi all

Don't panic this is crafty distressing not anything bad..... This weeks challenge over at Just Magnolia is to distress your card. I have to admit that this is not a technique I use often, but I thought I would have a go and when I looked at the card at the end I actually realised I could claim three ways of distressing. Firstly the standard distressing with my scissors around the edge of the card and sanding the embossed snowflakes. Secondly, I used ink to distress the edges of the image and the tag, but finally the third use of distressing was........ wait for it........ colouring with distress inks...LOL corny eh!

I used the recipe over at LOTV (3 papers, 2 stamps and one embellie), the colour way at Creative Inspirations (Black and red) and the theme over at Simon Says Stamp - Thankfulness. I don't half pack them in don't I !! LOL

Black and red always reminds me of Santa Claus so I thought I would make a thank you card that santa might leave someone who had left him some very tasty mince pies...... I remember being left little notes when I was a child, but then maybe I the only one....

The tag pulls out to reveal a mini version of the Magnolia Santa, that I just so happened to pick up at the NEC to match the full size one I bought last year.

Recipe: 214/365 Stamps: Magnolia - Santa delivering presents large & small. Papers: Imaginisce - Polar Expressions, Flannel PJ's, Red Rose coordinations, Black Pearl card. Sentiment from Craftwork Cards. ribbon from stash and finally of course a liberal slurp of Stardust stickles...

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Well now for something completely different....

2009-11-09T22:21:00.003Z

As the title suggests todays card is something a bit different as all the 'papers' and 'embellishments' have been replaced with funky foam and there is not a bit of bling in sight! How unlike me!! LOL. I thought the challenge over at Cute card Thursday to use primary colours really cried out for a boys cards and the sketch at A spoonful of sugar really fitted the bill.

The stamp is one of the absolutely gorgeous new Lily of the Valley stamps that are on release from the 11th November, (but I managed to grab mine at the NEC !)

Recipe: 213/365 Stamps: Main imgage (no name yet!)- Lily of the Valley, Happy Birthday - Penny Black. Funky foam from Hobbycraft.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Stamptacular Sunday - 31

2009-11-08T21:18:00.001Z

Hi all

I'm a bit late with my post today as I got a bit caught up in the third book in the Twighlight Series - Eclipse. I only started reading the books just over 10 days ago and have become completely hooked! I can see what all of the fuss has been about and once I've finished the fourth book I will be turning to the movies to get my fix of Edward & Jacob!

Back to my card for today. The challenge over at Stamptacular Sunday was friendship and I knew straight away that I wanted to use this lovely stamp by Ladybug and friends. It was also nice to have another quick break from my Christmas card production although I have nearly finished now. I didn't use a sketch today and the papers and colours were a complete indulgence to all that is girlie! The one surprise to me is that my only concession to bling was the little metal embellishment, not a drop of stickles in sight!! LOL

Recipe: 212/365 (209-211 tapestry cards with Jane Gill) Stamps: Hello Sunshine - Ladybug and Friends.com, Sentiment from Stamping Bella. Paper: Crate paper - Katlin Collection Heartbreaker. Embellishments: Prima daisy Doodles - Candy Pink, Brads,spacers, ribbon, metal charm from stash.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

NEC update

2009-11-07T09:15:00.000Z

Hi all

Phew, back after my very busy couple of days.

I was at the NEC for the first time & boy was I un-prepared for the size of the show......... It was huge.. My feet are still recovering from all the walking (& my bank manager from all spending!! LOL). I even managed to pick up a couple of Christmas presents whilst I was there. Then today I was up and out early to drive down to the Glitter Pot for another session of Rubber tapestry with Jane Gill, so no cards today, but am brimming with ideas for tomorrow.....

Catch ya then

Sara

Magnolia Goes Green

2009-11-05T09:51:00.011Z

Hi all

Another quick post tonight as I have been on a course all day and have not stopped all evening as I have an early start in the morning to get to the NEC. I'm meeting my friend at 7.30 at Oxford services, but that is over an hour's drive before hand!! Eek!!

Anyway back to the task to hand. There was a monochromatic theme at Just magnolia and I thought I would go green so I could also enter this in the ABC Challenge I used the loveley sketch over at Papertake Weekly and coloured Tilda with Lantern with distressed inks to go with the lovely muted greens of the papers.

Recipe: 208/365 Stamps: Magnolia - Tilda with lamp and Christmas ticket. Paper: Papermania - Wonderful Christmas Time, glitter paper from stash. Pins from Making Memories. Ribbon and dots from Stash.

Right off to get some beauty sleep ready for the NEC or should I really say foot preparing sleep LOL!!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Cocktail Hour

2009-11-04T22:00:00.007Z

Hi all

Another quick post as this week seems to be disappearing so rapidly. This card is a break from all the christmas cards I have been making and uses the lovely sketch over at Sketch Saturday and follows the theme over at Cute Card Thursday.

I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty excited about going to the NEC this week. I am going on Friday with my friend Hilary and already have a shopping list as long as my arm, let alone thinking about all the things I don't even know I want yet!! LOL. So I suppose this is quite an apt card as by the time we have driven to Brum and back I don't think I will even make it past the first martini !!

Recipe: 207/365 Stamps: Cocktail & Bubbles- Dimension Fourth, Shaken but not stirred - Craftwork cards all coloured in Copics & cocktail glass covered with Glossy accents. Papers: Doodlebug - Confetti, Bazzill Dotted Swiss Card - Irish Eyes & Grape Jelly. Ribbon from stash and a liitle sprinkle of stickles!

Tomorrow I am on a course so had better get on with my prep!

Thanks for looking

Ciao

Sara xx

Mojo Monday - 111

2009-11-03T00:29:00.003Z

Hi all

This is a double quick post tonight as I am really pooped after a day shopping in Guildford with the girlies. We managed to pick up a few bits and pieces to start our Xmas lists, but mainly I got frustrated at the rubbish that stores seem to think they can over package and over price at this time of year in the name of Christmas. Ho hum it looks like I am going to have to get my thinking cap on and put the extra time I currently have on my hands to better use.

The card today follows the sketch over on Mojo Monday and uses the elements spots and stripes required on the Papertake Weekly challenge.

Recipe: 206/365 Stamp - Surprise by Elizabeth Bell for SCACD coloured with Distressed Inks. Papers: Basic Grey Wassail - Spice Tea & Noel. Sentiment from Craftwork Cards. Silk Ribbon, Diamante from stash.

As always Elizabeth Bell has designed some fab new stamps and I picked these ones from Quixotic paperie.

The other stamps will no doubt be making a show sometime very soon!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Pinch, Punch..............

2009-11-01T22:32:00.000Z

Hi all

.... the first of the month. Well we have certainly closed the door on summer firmly behind us. I woke up this morning to a really blustery, rainy day, the sort that usually has you reaching for a warm mug of chocolate and an afternoon curled up on the sofa reading. So thats exactly what I did.... Dean was out with some friends and all the chores were done (well the urgent ones anyway LOL).

However, I did manage to finish off this card this morning for the Colour Create challenge, which was actually to make an all white card (with the exception of the image) and I used the sketch from Mojo Monday. The stamp was the very appropriate Snow Joy from Penny Black, which made it eligible for the Penny Black Saturday challenge of 'white on white' and all mounted on glitter paper, with a bit of bling on the sentiment which qualified it for the Simon says stamp challenge of 'all that sparkles'.

The image has been coloured with Copics and then the snowball was given a little wash with H2O's, but this doesn't show up too well in the photo.

Recipe: 205/365 Stamps: Penny Black - Snow Joy & ...Snow. Paper: Pearlescent & glitter card from The Glitter Pot. Cuttlebug Embossing folders - both ironicly called snowflakes! Tulle from Crafts u Love. Pins by Making Memories from the Craft Range. Diamante & Pearls from stash and last but not least a liberal dash of Star Dust stickles.

Off for a nice girly lunch in Guildford tomorrow so hoping we all have a better day tomorrow.

Thanks for looking

Sara xx

Sketch & Stamp - 13

2009-10-31T18:05:00.016Z

Hi all

Quick post today as I am off to a Halloween Party shortly and I wanted to show the card that I made for the challenge on Sketch and stamp. This was a very simple sketch, so it shows this very sweet stamp from Ladybug entitled Birthday surprise off very nicely. Everything else is from my stash.

Happy spooking everyone.

Thanks for looking

Sara xx

Friday Sketchers - 75

2009-10-29T23:35:00.007Z

Hi all

Well the Indian summer weather the weather forecasters had been harping on about all week manged to find its way to Cobham in Surrey today, which is typical now that my central heating is all fixed!

I shouldn't moan as I managed to take some great shots of the beautiful autumn foliage today (who needs to be in Vermont when you can have it all in leafy Surrey LOL!)
I also manged to quickly snap this tiny cute beetle that landed on my car, just as I was about to get in it to go grocery shopping (proof that any little thing will distract me from my chores......!). He was very tricky to capture as he refused to pose for the camera and was moving pretty fast so focusing was pretty tricky, but you have to agree with colouring like this it was worth a go.

So onto my card for today which used a sketch from Friday sketchers. I was obviously inspired by the beetle as the colours seems to have been translated into the colouring and my choice of papers.
After yesterdays traditional colours it was refrshing to use a more modern Christmas palette & this paper from Kaisercraft certainly fitted the bill. Although I have to say that I went into a bit of a sweat when I had to start cutting into it! Why is it that certain papers can send you that way or is that just me!
The cute stamp from Impression Obsession was so easy to colour and I'm sure you will see this again soon....

Recipe: 203/365 Stamp: Lamb awaiting - Impression obsession coloured with distressed inks, sentiment from stamps away. Papers: Kaisercraft, Wish upon - Twinkle & Star bright. Nesties: Labels one and nesting stars. Ribbon from Ribbon Oasis plus my usual sprinkle of stickles!

Back to some more traditional colours tomorrow.

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara xx

Cute Card Thursday - 83

2009-10-28T23:47:00.007Z

Hi all

Today's card is keeping with the Xmas theme - I still have a few to make !! However once again I have combined a couple of challenges, firstly Cute Card Thursday to include candy corns and I also used the sketch from Just magnolia.

The two papers both have candy themes within them and this cute little Tilda just fitted the bill. (I didn't realise until I was half way throught the post, that the flower had popped up in the middle so looks a bit odd - oops but I have now corrected!! )
A close up (without flower LOL) .........

Recipe: 202/365 Stamps: Tilda with Ornament & Christmas Tag, Magnolia coloured with distressed inks. Papers: Imaginisce - Polar Expressions Flannel PJ's, Basic Grey - Eskimo kisses. Flowers & Holly from Woodware Punch covered with stickles & ribbon from stash.
Thanks for looking
Hugs
Sara xx

Totally Gorjuss - 2

2009-10-27T23:52:00.006Z

Just a quick addition of this sweet little card for the Totally Gorjuss challenge, which was to make a card, which was not a square or a rectangle. I actually this when I was stayingat my parents a couple of weeks ago, but hadn't posted yet so when I saw this challenge I thought it fitted the bill perfectly.......

Here is a close up of the Gorjuss girl coloured with Copics

Recipe: Card 201/365 - make using Sizzix bigz album scallop circle. Cut two then trimmed off loop to make bottom, scored approx 15mm down, then glued together at the top above the score line. Stamps: Gorjuss Girl - Set 2, Christmas Sentiments from Woodware, Pearls from Stash.
Thanks for looking
Hugs
Sara xx

Simon Says stamp - Get well soon

2009-10-27T23:37:00.007Z

Hi all

Another card this time for the Simon says Stamp challenge which was to make a get well soon card. I ended up thinking this was rather apt as I have spent all day freezing in the house as the supposed Indian Summer has not arrived at Cobham & my central heating has broken down.... aaahhh. I may need to send this to myself at this rate as British Gas can't come out until tomorrow...

This card used the sketch over at Truely Scrumptious and I used a couple of stamps from Stamps by Judith to create the image, coloured it with watercolour pencils and covered it with glossy accents

Here is a close up - he doesn't look well does he!

Recipe: 200/365 Stamps: Stamps by Judith, Sentiment from Rubberneckers. Paper: Doodlebug & Bazzill bling. Ribbon from stash
Thanks for looking
Sara xx

It started as one!

2009-10-26T23:47:00.006Z

Back for my last post. Originally I intended to do a very quick challenge using the sketch at A Spoonful of Sugar and to ink up the 'Spooky' stamp set I had from Penny Black to fulfil the Halloween brief at Penny Black Saturday & to all intents and purposes it was, as it only took 20 minutes to make........

However, when I came to post the card I found that I was able to enter quite a few more challenges as follows:
Creative Inspirations - challenge 32 - Halloween
Stamping for the Weekend - Challenge 21 - Halloween
Secret Crafter - challenge 55 - Orange & one other colour (in my case black)
Stamptacular Sunday - Challenge 30 - Its Fall y'all (using traditional fall colours)
Hurrah - makes my life so much easier...
Here is a close up...

Recipe: 199/365 Stamps:Penny Black clear stamp set - Spooky coloured with Copics. Paper: Basic Grey - Indian Summer (quite apt given this weeks weather forecast !) Orange Bazzill Bling, Black Coordinations card. Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Skeleton Scroll & Pumpkin Harvest. Bit of stickles on the hat!
That really is me finished for today so thanks for looking
Hugs
Sara xx

Papertake weekly - 26

2009-10-26T23:36:00.009Z

Back again.....

Just have a card for this weeks Papertake Weekly. I am currently trying to build up my collection of Xmas cards at the moment and so plan to do a few sketches this week. This was my first one using the very lovely Miss Clause from Sugar Nellie.
I also wanted to use the new Decorative Strips - Phrase, Noel w/Holly & Frame that I bought from the Glitter Pot at the weekend and thought it would go so well with this paper from K&C0

And a close up view.

Recipe:198/365
Stamp: Miss Clause - Sugar Nellie coloured with distressed inks. Paper: K&Co - Christmas Cheer Holly Glitter Paper, Imaginisce - Polar Expressions/Warm Woolen Mittens. Die cut - Decorative Strips - Phrase, Noel w/Holly & Frame, Message from Craftwork Cards. Ribbon from stash.

Will be back very soon for my last post.......

Thanks for looking

Sara xx

October Weekend

2009-10-26T21:42:00.016Z

Hi all

Thought I would quickly post the cards I made at the weekend.

194/365 - This first one was from the Make and Take at Crafts u Love on Friday. It is a very quick card using the Papermania clear sets - Deck the halls.

The base card is stamped in Versamark with one of the snowflakes. The reindeer is coloured with copics. Bit of stickles on the antlers and all finished!

This card was made at the all day class at The Glitter Pot with Jane Gill. The day was all about using her new peel Offs. As someone who doesn't really use peel-off's I thought I would see if I could add another medium to my repertoire

195/365 - This card used a whole raft of bits and pieces to 'fill' the holes of the bubble tree peel off. I mainly used peel off holographic circles, glass beads, seed beads, diamante and a few buttons.

The pot was made using some bugle beads from a new range of beads at the Glitter Pot. We also used some of the negative elements from the peel of to change the shape of the tree slightly, which means that the cards can be altered to all be unique. The card was covered with My Mind's Eye Double Sided Paper - Twirling Circles

This next card 196/365 was a gate fold card which used the ribbon peel off and was coloured with Inktense pencils. We then attached the knotted ribbon using glue and finished it off with a bow on top. Very quick and easy.

In the final card 197/365 the peel off was stuck onto acetate and coloured with peel off pens on the reverse. The side panel was stamped with a small snowflake and a bow attached to the bottom. As you can see on the top photo we all used different colour ways and they all looked exceptional together.

So thanks for looking and I will be back later with a couple of cards I have made.

Hugs

Sara xx

Sunday Sketch & Stamp - 13

2009-10-24T01:07:00.003+01:00

Morning all

I am off to the Glitter Pot today to do a class with the lovely Jane Gill and a bunch of very lovely ladies. These days are always more about the people than necessarily going for the actual class, but Jane's technique are very inspirational so I get two for the price of one so to speak!

Whilst I am out I thought I would leave a card I have made for my neighbour Annie ( I did say I had a lot of birthday cards to make!).

I used the sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stamp, which fitted with this lovely stamp. I have used my copics again & can say I am really starting to get the hang of these, but still like my distressed inks best!

Recipe:193/365 Stamps: Miss Anya from the Greetings farm, Sentiment from Whiff Of Joy. Papers: Dovecraft - Aquamarine floral flowers & Coordinations. Flowers are die cut using the Quickutz nesting flower sets, a Martha Stewart Punch & liberal amounts of Stickles!

Have fun & don't forget the clocks go back tonight so we all get an extra hour in bed - I wish!!!! LOL

Hugs

Saraxx

Challenge weekend

2009-10-23T23:51:00.009+01:00

Hi all
Very busy day today in my new life as a lady of leisure.......
I went down to Crafts U love this morning to participate in their make and take. I had been invited by a couple of crafty friends a few times, but not been able to fit it in. Well I didn't have that excuse any more so off I drove. It was a lovely day and the trip is pretty much all country lanes so a pleasure in itself. As I arrived I met Fizz & Jill (one arriving & one leaving) and had a fab time meeting some lovely ladies.

This afternoon I had a couple of friends over for coffee and then this evening found time to craft and enter some of this weekends challenges.

My first card was for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, which was a sweet sketch by Nat. I don't have many long vertical stamps so decided to rotate the sketch around to accommodate a old long horizontal Penny Black stamp. This also meant I could enter this into the challenge over at Secret Crafter, which was to dig deep and use an old stamp.

Recipe 191/365 Stamps - Snowman border, Snowflakes.. Papers: Pebbles - snow fun flakes & Kars X-mas collection. White card embossed using a Cuttlebug folder - snowflakes. All coloured in copics.

The next card was made using another old penny black stamp, but this time I used a sketch from Sketch Saturday and by using some of the BG Eskimo kisses paper managed to qualify for the Basic Grey Challenge which was a colour combo of Blue, Green & red.

Recipe: 192/365 Stamp -Penny Black - Snowy & Hedgey, Sentiment from Inkadinkado coloured in copics. Papers from Basic Grey - Eskimo Kisses. Punches - Martha Stewart. Red Pearls from Queen & co
Phew I'm pooped now and need to get my beauty sleep as I am off to the Glitter Pot tomorrow for the day.
Bye
Saraxx

Stampin for the weekend - 20

2009-10-22T18:58:00.006+01:00

Evening all

What a lovely day its been today after all of the rain earlier this week. I managed to get out into the garden and do some of the chores that had been piling up literally!

My reward for all that hard work was an afternoon of crafting Yeah! I actually have a few birthday cards to make and to start with I needed a 21st card for my very sweet hairdresser & neighbour Emma. She loves purple so that was one easy decision & the stamp I have been saving up especially for her as the three girls look just like her and her two BF. She is quite a classy sort of girl for her age and so I used the lovely simple sketch on Stampin' for the weekend.

Recipe: 190/365 Stamp: Rubber Romance. Paper - Basic Grey - Eva. Coloured in Copics & the glasses have some glossy accents
Back later with another card... Have to dash now & make dinner.......
Saraxx

Totally Gorjuss - First Challenge

2009-10-21T00:37:00.002+01:00

Really was a whoops missed the photo which won't now attach to the original post......

Totally Gorjuss - First Challenge x2

2009-10-20T23:55:00.009+01:00

Whoops back again

I am not sure when the deadline is for the first ever challenge at Totally Gorjuss so I am quickly whizzing this on in the hope that I'm not too late.
The theme is totally pink so combining two favourites.....

Recipe: 189/355 Stamp - from gorjuss girls set 3 coloured in copics
Papers: craftwork cards - Candy Cane
Punches: Martha Stewart - Frond branch
Flower from stash

Really is night this time

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO A TECHNICAL ERROR THE PHOTO OF THE CARD IS ON MY NEXT POST......................

Whiff of joy - Challenge 51

2009-10-20T23:23:00.005+01:00

Evening all

Quick post tonight as I wanted to get this card in for the WOJ challenge this week, which was to use a die cut on your card.

I hate trying to photo my cards at night as I don't seem to avoid that washed out feeling. Despite that I really like this card for its simplicity

I also love this stamp and have been dying to do a monochromatic version of her ever since I saw one that the very talented Bev Rochester made last year.

Recipe: 188/365

Stamp: WOJ - Lizzie with Muff,

Paper: Pebbles - snow fun flakes, Grey pearlescent card embossed using Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Snowflakes. Die Cuts used - Nestabilities labels 4 & Fancy tags. Finished with ribbon from stash and a liberal amount of star dust stickles

Night all

Hugs

Saraxx

Five for a Friday

2009-10-16T20:45:00.010+01:00

Evening all

Well what a busy bunny I've been today. Not content with my multi challenge cards to date I have three cards tonight which cover 5 challenges..... How greedy is that? To be honest I am still at my parents so there is not much else to do and there were some great sketches that I really wanted to do despite my lack of stash and all my papers to hand. They are not my best attempts, but I am putting it down to the fact that I have only one small bag of crafty stuff rather than a whole room of things to draw inspiration from .................LOL. The first challenge was for the Basic Grey challenge. It was a bit tricky as I only had one pad with me, the Eskimo kisses.

Recipe: 185/365

Only two tiny stamps both from the Dashing Reindeer set from Woodware. Papers: Basic Grey - Eskimo Kisses. Mulberry Street Flowers from Petaloo, Candy dots by Pebbles & card candy by craft work cards.

The second card was for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, but used the Simon says stamp sketch. I had to go out and buy the ribbon today & the buttons are from my Grandmothers old button tin, which has now found its way into my craft bag.... whoops. She was always thrifty and cut all the buttons off worn out clothes and put them in an old baby milk tin which has a best before date of 1st may 1950!

Recipe: 186/365

Stamps; Christmas Critters - Penny Black; Christmas Characters - Inkadinkado. Papers; Pebbles - Snow fun flakes, Sizzix card stock brights & vellum from Stash. Nestabilities - Blossom & Create a flake 1. Coloured with distressed inks plus stickles everywhere!

And at last here is my final card, which is for the Lily of the Valley challenge using the lovely sketch from Sketch Saturday. I really had a tough time with this card as I struggled firstly to cut into this gorgeous paper, but secondly trying to match my limited supply of red and green Inks and papers... Mum to the rescue with some ribbon and some snowflakes.....

Recipe: 187/365 Stamps: Christmas Bunnies - Stocking from Lily of the Valley coloured using distressed inks. Papers Making Memories - Icon stripe Mistletoe, Ruby Bazzill & Bazzill Dotted Swiss Card - Clover Leaf. Sentiment from Craftwork cards. Embossed using Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Holly With Berries & candy cane stripe. Ribbon and snowflakes from my mums stash (thanks!). Finished off with some star dust stickles.

I think these new stamps from Lily of the Valley are just so cute & the great news is
they are bringing out some more in two weeks at the NEC.

Well its off to bed now to conserve my strength for a fun packed day of shopping. Samuel Taylor have their 60th Birthday celebration demos this weekend so we are off to Embsay tomorrow and it would be just so rude not to drop into the Stampman on the way back, especially when we can have a fab lunch in Skipton.

Catch you later

Sara xx

Have a hoot

2009-10-15T22:37:00.006+01:00

Hi all

This week I am up at my parents in the north of England, which is great as I always get spoiled rotten and as my mum is a fellow crafter I get to spend quite a bit of crafting and not worrying about chores...........

So today I am have been busy making Xmas cards (which I will put up on a slide show at the end of the week) and made a card for my brother for his birthday next month which just so happens to have a flying owl (ABC challenge), makes reference to family (Creative Inspirations), includes autumn colours (Secret Crafter) and uses a sketch (Just Magnolia). Phew I believe that covers 4 challenges.....

I had received these stamps in my order from the new Magnolia spooky range, but as we don't really celebrate Halloween I wanted to make a card that used the stamps a bit differently and men's cards are always a tough one for me.

So without further ado.....

Recipe: 184/365
Stamps: Magnolia - So Spooky; spooky moon and tree branch, flying owl. Kelly Panacci - Twit Twoo. Papers My minds eye - Andrea Victoria; Golden Beads & Sizzix little sizzles card stock neutrals. Embossed with Cuttlebug- Forest Branches. E line by Prima. Peel off from stash. Coloured with distressed inks.
OMG look at the time I must fly (LOL)
Hugs
Sarax

Take Boooooo

2009-10-09T16:01:00.007+01:00

Hi all

I'm back with another go at a challenge. This time it's only for two Mojo Monday & Simon Says Stamp. I really like all these challenges as they give me a place to start. I don't have issues with coming up with ideas, its more a question of too many ideas and always trying to doeverything at once......... So using the sketch from Mojo Monday and the Spooky theme from Simon Says stamp I whipped up this little number....

I just love this little witch she does look so cute. I have raised the hat and her arm slightly although its tricky to see on the photo and coloured her in using distressed inks finished off with some stickles for a bit of bling on her hat and dress and some on the candy tots in the corners. I have had a further play with the embossing folder since yesterday and used a purple coordination paper, which I think has come out much better.
Recipe: 183/365
Little Witch with Broom by Belles & Whistles from Zoe Bunny crafts. Purple Coordination card, Black pearlized card and patterned paper - Daisy & Dandelion trick or treat & cuttlebug embossing folder - Spider web all from the Glitter Pot. Candy Dots & ribbon from stash. Punches MS - Cornice edger & EK Success - spots.
Any way have to dash I am off to a ball tonight so best get my glad rags on.....
Hugs
Sarax

First Challenge

2009-10-08T21:31:00.008+01:00

Hi All

Where does all the time go. I'm not even working, but still seem to have no time what with one thing or another..... Still I have another first today and a triple. Confused..... all will be revealed.

This card is to cover three challenges
Just Magnolia; A spoonful of sugar
& Papertake Weekly. Not bad for my first go eh....
Unfortunately in the photograph the colours are quite washed out. If anyone has any tips........?

Recipe: 182/365 Stamps from the latest Spooky Magnolia release from Sir Stampalot. All coloured in with distressed inks. The black coordinations paper has been put through the cuttlebug embossing folder and the left over bits used to make the flowers using a quickutz nesting flowers cookie cutter die from Crafts U Love. The pattern paper is from the Daisy & Dandelion trick or treat paper pack - from the Glitter Pot.

You won't believe it but I will have another one for you tomorrow.....
Right off to have a lie down to get over the shock

Saraxx

African Wedding

2009-09-30T19:40:00.009+01:00

Hi all

I've been having a very mixed last week as it started with me becoming another victim of the recession, which was just before Ally Pally and certainly curtailed my spending -well something had to... At the weekend I was at a wedding party in Newmarket of a very old Sue who had got married a couple of weeks ago in an African safari lodge. She had her dress on again and looked absolutely fabulous. Then on Sunday I drove back via Ally Pally. Its much quieter on a Sunday, which gave me the chance to catch up with a few people.

I still managed to buy some lovely stuff including some great new stamps from Paper Artsy and some sizzix dies that I had been struggling to find. I also confess that I bought some more papers to add the the mountain of papers that I already have...... Whoops ... they are my weakness.

So whilst I am a lady of leisure (oops I mean job hunting) I am determined to get into my Xmas cards and try a few of the online challenges.

Meanwhile here is the card I made for Sue & Clive

Its not your typical wedding card, but then theirs was not a typical wedding.
This was also my first attempt at one of the popular mountain and Valley cards that everyone is using at the moment.

Recipe: 181/365

Stamps: truck;leaves;zebra print;Savannah all from the Magnolia Jungle Collection from Sir Stampalot. Ticketed from Autumn Leaves from The Glitter Pot, Celebrate by Printworks from Stamp Addicts, Swirls from Whiff of Joy
Dies: Sloppy Kiss from the Glitter Pot

All stamped in Versafine - Sepia & coloured with Distress inks all from the Glitter Pot.

I masked the wheel and then personalised it with their names.

Sue loved it......

So back to Xmas cards tomorrow...

Ciao

Sarax

Mum's the word

2009-09-24T20:47:00.008+01:00

Hi all

I can't believe that we are nearly at the end of September already, but the good thing about that is that it also means its nearly Ally Pally - yippee. Retail therapy heaven.... I usually spend all of Saturday working my way around the place and come out with my head buzzing full of ideas and my arms laden with goodies..

This time I can't make it on the Saturday as I am at a wedding party so I am going on the Sunday which I understand is much quieter. Given that in April I could hardy move in some places this could be a good thing plus there is the added fact that somethings will of sold out so my bank manager will be much happier and my willpower less battered....

So in the mean time here is a card I made for my Mum's birthday this week. She is quite into girlie colours and so when I saw these papers lurking on my desk I knew she would love them.

I fininshed off the inside with the offcuts and a magnolia stamp, but forgot to leave enough room to sign it....Duh

Recipe: 180: 365 Stamp:Country Style from home grown range of Sugar Nellie. Plus used Bazzill Bling, Wild Blossoms & Jewelled Brads from dovecraft. Coloured using Distressed Inks & sticles - Diamond; Daisy Doodle Prima flowers all from the GlitterPot. Fiskers Punch - Crafts U Love

Ciao

Saraxx

Back on track

2009-09-22T22:10:00.004+01:00

Hi all

I have finally got myself back up to date with my blogging and have also been busy at my craft desk. Not only have I been making cards, but I have been busy reorganising all my unmounted stamps onto stamped laminated cards & boxing them so I can find the one I want without having to search through loads of folders. Impressive eh The problem is I keep finding more and more stamps that I have not even inked up yet. So many in fact that I think I will have to try and ban any stamps from my shopping list this weekend when I am at Ally Pally (ha ha how likely is that) I will post some shots when I am finished. In the meantime here is the card I made for Dean last week he is not very keen on fancy cards so I always have to try and keep them quite simple, but definitely like this new cuttlebug folder for men's cards.

Recipe: 179/365

Stamp from Hero's Arts using Brilliance Ink in Starlight Black both from Crafts U Love, Tab punch - Stamping up. Card Candy - Humbugs and Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Diamond Plate. Paper all from stash

Hugs

Sarax

Bella

2009-09-21T23:17:00.007+01:00

Dear All
Final part of my catch up so I can start back in the real time tomorrow! Last weekend was not only Deans Birthday, but also the first of my dilemma weekends as it was also The Craft Barn extravaganza. This was a tricky one as Deans Birthday is September 11th, and therefore a day of quite mixed emotions as we know people who were involved that day and lost friends and family. As a consequence we always try to go away just the two us..... This year he suggested we went to the South Coast, so I casually suggested a stop off in Lingfield and he went for it....... (What a great guy!!)

The Craft Barn had really laid on a treat with not only one, bit two halls full of demo's and loads of yummy new stock in the shop. As always the credit card took quite a hit as I picked up some lovely new dreamweaver stencils & a few new stamps for Xmas (God is it really time to start Xmas cards its still so warm outside!). I had such a fab time, and really had to drag myself away to carry on our trip.
We spent the night in Dover at this fabulous B&B Hubert House, which has built itself quite a reputation over the years as a place where people stay when they are doing the cross channel swim. At breakfast we met an Australian who was waiting to do his first swim with his coach. I don't think I would fancy it, but each to their own. We spent the night in their Georgian Suite, which was very romantic with a Four Poster bed. Dover is not a place that immediately springs to mind as a weekend destination, but we had such a great time visiting Dover Castle and walking in Western Heights.
Anyway back to the cards, here is one I made for one of my work colleagues Birthday for tomorrow.

178:365
Stamp: Stamping Bella - Presentahbella
Other: H2O's, papers, flowers and dots all from Craftwork cards

Have fun

Sarax

Catch up

2009-09-17T22:11:00.003+01:00

Hi Again

I was too tired to to post last night following another fun packed day in the workhouse. I suppose I really shouldn't moan as at least I have a job.

So back to what I have been up to to in last few weeks. The first weekend in September saw the Glitterpots Birthday Bash so of course I had to go and support one of my favourite craft shops with a little retail therapy. It was also a significant Birthday for Kay Carley one of my fav demonstrators so knowing how strange I found crossing over into a new decade last year I thought I would bring her a little treat along. My BF's & work colleagues did this for me last year and I really appreciated it so I thought I would pass the thought along. I made a chocci cake and a card and delivered them to her in a quiet moment between demos'.

Here is the card, which had to contain lilac as it is Kay's fav colour and I wanted something feminine which is also a departure for me.

recipe 177/365

Stamps: Inkadinkado - Mindscape

Others: Craftwork cards, scalloped card, prima flowers, stickles, liquid pearls, paper from stash.

Needless to say I had a good spend and bought the two other boxes of copics to complete the range. So it looks like I really will have to get to grips with these now I have invested in the whole lot!!

Off to bed now

Toodle Pip

Sarax

Metal magic

2009-09-15T21:17:00.005+01:00

Evening

I'm still playing catch up with all my antics so I thought I would tell you about my recent foray into using metals, a medium I have never really used before. The Craft Barn stocks an extensive range of 10 second studio metal tools and metal sheets. In order to understand what each tool does I enlisted on a beginners workshop with Carol Cann. In the morning we made a sampler using all of the tools, a variety of different types of metals and techniques.

In the afternoon we were given a large Cooks Match box and let loose with all our newly learnt techniques. Here is my take with a twist...

The sides have been stamped using the Paper Artsy stamps - Bricks and Mortar 2 and distressed inks the inner section has been glimmer misted in reds and gold.
I was so inspired that when my neighbour asked me to make a birthday card with the infamous Chanel 2.55 bag I knew exactly what I was going to do and boy did I have fun with this...
I used some black metal which once distressed showed the silver underneath and created a bit of a leather look, by using a paper stump on the other side of the metal I was able to create the appearance of the quilting, which I thought was actually pretty effective and I don't think I would have been able to create with paper.

I mounted the metal onto gold card using pinflair glue and on the inside used a Rubber Romance Stamp decorated with diamante.

I was thoroughly pleased with the result and the recipient Katherine has framed it to take back to College. What more of a complement could you get. Unfortunately the photos were a little fuzzy as I was in a hurry to hand them over.

Another catch up tomorrow

Ciao

Sarax

I'm Back!

2009-09-14T22:57:00.005+01:00

Hi all

Well the mad period seems to be over and I have well and truely got my mojo back over the last couple of weeks. Firstly it was my birthday on the bank holiday so what did I do? Booked a class with the lovely Jane of course! All the usual suspects were there and it was great to catch up with all the news. Jane has just had a new batch of designs released on Woodware for Xmas, which she had worked her usual magic to create 4 cards for us to make. I thought it was a bit early for Xmas, but it appears that I am behind the times because everyone else in blogland have been busy for weeks!

Well see for yourself....

Are they not just so lovely...

Recipe: 171-174/365

All the stamps are from two sets from Woodware: Xmas pud & Dashing Reindeer
Papers from My Mind's Eye Double Sided Paper - Colourful Christmas - Winter Wonderland
Everything is from The Glitterpot

Anyway I then dashed off to spend the rest of the weekend on a narrow boat with my best friend Hilary and the weather managed to just about hang on to make it a fab time. There is nothing quite like getting on a narrow boat to make you relax. Well you can't do much else when you are travelling at 4 miles an hour!! Got back Monday night just in time to dash off my last ode to the summer! Drum roll please ..... I have also unleashed the copics... I did struggle with the shading and her face looks like it needs a bit more time in the sun, but hey ho it was my first attempt.

Recipe: 175/365

Stamps: CCDesigns - Beach Sentiments, Amy R Stamps; Surfer Emma from Dies to Die for

Papers: Bobunny - Mango Luau - Lime,dot, slang a bits of Bazzill Bling from my stash.

Other: MS punches and Nesties

More tomorrow

So over and out for now

Sara

AWOL

2009-08-05T21:39:00.004+01:00

More candy and no postings.......

I know I'm rubbish, but I have been really busy with work in the week and we have been following the Ashes cricket around the country at the weekends. So with all the normal chores to fit in as well I have been neglecting my crafting time. No worries I have been making some cards and I will post them soon.

In the meantime check out the candy on Rach's site. here

I just love Martha Stewart punches and don't have these so here's hoping.....!

and the lovely Marlene here who has just got back from CHA

Over and out for now....

Sara x

Whiff of Joy fall release

2009-07-20T08:24:00.004+01:00

Dear all

I have such limited time to craft at the moment let alone blogging, but did need to tell you all about the pre-order now open at Whiff of joy for their fall release of stamps by the very talented Elizabeth Bell.

Here is a sneaky peek

Katharina has two sets available as blog candy so get on over there and check it out...

So its back to getting some work done. I will post soon promise

Sara

Kay Carley - Blog Candy 2

2009-06-29T22:42:00.003+01:00

Kay has just put up some more delish candy on her site.

So check it out here

Year end starts at my company on Wednesday so that means I am just about to enter our really really busy time, just as the weather gets to scorching level ............ no fair

so there will be too little time for crafting, but will try and get something posted soon

Sarax

Hey Kay sorry I'm late

2009-06-22T21:59:00.010+01:00

Dear all

Well its been a little while since I did my last post, but I have been a busy little bunny..... Work is still unrelenting, but I did manage to find time to make and sell 32 fathers day cards (woo hoo 131 - 163/365), make a fabulous 60th birthday card for my aunt (164/365) and have a great time down at the Glitterpot on Saturday with Kay Carley (165-168/365), where we made 4 lovely cards, and Kay is posting them on her blog over the next few days here. Unfortunately I managed to misplace my memory card so have only been able to take pictures of the cards I didn't sell/post last week Gggrrrrhhh. Oh well here are a couple of the fathers day cards:

I used rub-ons in the middle of the board depending what people wanted to allow a bit of personalization, but they mainly ended up being either 'love u dad' or with love.

The message on the inside says 'Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad', which I think is rather sweet. I used it in quite a few of the cards as you can see below.

Anyway back to the task in hand, as mentioned above I made a fab 8' by 8' card for my aunt, who had family party yesterday to celebrate. It ended up being much more than that as my cousin had a little boy (George) the weekend before and of course it was Father's Day. The weather behaved itself and we had a fabulous time. My parents came down to stay for the weekend so there was very little time for anything else given I spent all of Saturday at the GP! whoops!

So as promised, Kay, here are the cards I promised to post on Saturday night, but missed by a mile! Sorry.Recipe: 169/365 Stamps: Sugar Nellie - Daisy; Rubbernecker - words Other: From The Glitter Pot Paper: Bazzill Dotted Swiss Card - Honey & Mud Puddle, DCWV - The Spring Stack; Nestabilities - Scalloped circles, labels 3; Martha Stewart punches Double Scallop & from Crafts U Love - Leaf Frond

The flowers have been made by cutting out a scalloped round nestability and then cutting down between each scallop 3/4 of the way to the centre and then curling the petals with a bone folder. I have then stuck them down with silicon glue to give a little more height and lift between each layer.

Just time for one more. this one is really simple in that it only has three elements on the card, diamante, some holographic paper and some of the new(ish) white wash coordination card. Out came the trusty cuttlebug and voila a card in less than 15 mins. Great when you are on the run.

Recipe: Stamp - serendipity stamps; Cuttlebug - Cut & Emboss A2 Combo - Friends Forever & Butterflies; coordinations - whitewash; diamante from stash

Anyway off for a well earned rest after all this fun...

Ciao for now

SaraX

Candy Time

2009-06-16T21:49:00.002+01:00

Hi all

I've finally managed to work out how to post links to blog candy and how appropriate that I start with one from The Stamp Man www.thestampman.co.uk. This is where I bought my first ever stamp back in the late 1990's, on a day out whilst visiting my parents. I originally hail from the South of England but spent from the age of 6 to 18 living in Clitheroe in Lancashire. Hence the northern twang that intersperses with my Surrey accent!! LOL An eclectic mix as I'm often told.

I am also in love with the new stamp sheets by Kay Carley especially the funky flowers sheet so here's hoping..............
If not then hey ho its off to empty the piggy bank, which is feeling rather abused at the moment following a recent over indulgence.....

More cards tomorrow and will try to include some of the fathers day cards I have been making as well

See ya soon

Sarax

Its a little bit crazy

2009-06-08T22:39:00.004+01:00

Hello crafty ones!

I've had a bit of a crazy day today. Monday is always busy at work as its the payment runs for the whole group which I have to check and sign off. We are also due to move floors in the office on Friday and I have been trying to sort my team out, but in the process have had no time to sort my office out and I only had this morning to get my act together. Everything was on track until I managed to jarr my back and it all went downhill from there. I'm now prostrate on the sofa full of pain relief and still in agony. So this post will as a consequence, be very short and sweet.

This is still following the cat theme ( Iwas obviously missing Minx!). I have used the same stamp, but in a different colour way and layout.

Recipe: 130/365

Stamps: Inkadinkado Clear stamps- Cats, My Mind's Eye Double Sided Paper - Moving Dots,, Buttons - Eternal maker, Ink - Vivid - Ultramarine, Stickles - Diamond

I also carried the theme through with another cat from the set and one of the messages from the Hero Arts - Clear Design - Card messages (large). They do seem to fit together quite well. The pictures are bit dark, but I am not mobile enought to fiddle with the light box so they will ahve to do.

As I said short post tonight so its an early bath for me!

Bye

Sarax

The Cats Meow

2009-06-07T21:28:00.004+01:00

Hiya

Well so much for the predictions a poor weekend of weather. We had the most beautiful day today, which was good as we were at a christening and Dean was made godfather to one of his best friends James's son Reilly. Good weather always seems to bring up every one's spirits and today was no exception. Even the kids seemed to sense that this was a snatched moment of fair weather and behaved immaculately.

Anyway enough of the weather here is tonight's card

Recipe: 129/365

Inkadinkado Clear Stamps set - cats, Pink pearlescent card, Bazzill Dotted Swiss Card - Slipper , Spellbinderss nestabilities, Craftwork cards - Oh My Word! - Birthday Circles, Ink - Colorbox Queue - Tulip Field, Stickles - Diamond.

H&K

Sarax

Derby Day

2009-06-06T18:18:00.005+01:00

I live quite near to Epsom so the first thing I did today was get in my car and get as far away as I possibly could to escape the bedlam! So where would I go? Well of course I booked a class at the Glitter Pot with the lovely Jane Gill who had thoughtfully devised some beautiful cards, which co-ordinated perfectly with my outfit!! (123- 126/365). I don't feel right about putting cards from a class on my blog, as they are somebody else's design, so you will have to check out Jane's blog to see them.

However, I have added another pair of cards from my trip to Cornwall still following the bee theme.

Recipe: 127/365

Stamps: Elzybells - Flower/bee; words - Rubbernecker stamps

Other: Cuttlebug Embossing folder- D'vine swirl, Paper - Bazzill Dotted Swiss Card - Honey

Recipe: 128/365

As above but used additional stamp from Magnolia - (aptly entitled) Bees.

On the inside I used a greeting from a set from Hero Arts called card Messages, which I stamped using a Marvey Black pen so I could stamp it twice to insert the double 'e' in the being as a play on words.

More cards to come tomorrow, but for now I'm off to put my glad rags on for a night out with the girls.

Evening

Sarax

Busy as a bee

2009-06-04T22:44:00.006+01:00

Well so much for posting my cards over the week, its Thursday already. Can't even moan about where the week has gone as I have been busy catching up with all the work I didn't do last week!! So I suppose its quite apt that the first bunch as cards I have loaded are all based on our little workaholic. Before I get to the cards I have to add that I went to a great class at The Glitter Pot by Kay Carley. http://kaycarley.blogspot.com/2009/05/pink-and-green-dragonflies.html (118 - 121/365) Kay makes such feminine cards and I love to go to class of hers to inspire me. Anyway to digress a little, the class tends to have a core of 'regulars' and we always catch up during the day and chat about some of the things we are doing. One lovely lady, Gill is a very keen and talented photographer, and she then takes these beautiful shots and creates the most amazing scrapbooks. I promised I would include some Sugar Nellie stamps. So please wait a little longer Gill, they are coming.......

Recipe: 122/365

Stamps: Magnolia - Tilda with Bee (from the Glitter Pot)

Other: Watercolour pencils, Cuttlebug embossing folder - Forest Branches, Nestabilities, Buttons - Eternal maker, Rub-on's - Pebbles Inc Rub-Ons - Thank You - Black

I loved making this card as it has all my favourite elements (Watercolouring, embossing and die cutting), but each is very simple.

Anyway its up the stairs to bedfordshire to me

Night

Sarax

I'm alive!

2009-06-02T21:53:00.006+01:00

Forgive me for not posting for a couple of weeks, but my 3G card wasn't working and I have been down in the depths of Cornwall for some serious R&R (including some crafting LOL).

My family has a place down in Pentire, near Newquay and we disappear down there once a year or more if we can manage it. The beauty of going to the same place is that you don't feel inclined to go out sight seeing every day, which means time to craft a little. As you can see below the views are pretty inspiring anyway whatever you are doing........

The property is an old house build by a rich business man in the 1920's for entertaining and is set into the cliff right over the sea. The place was left empty for quite a while until it was converted into 5 holiday apartments Over the years the sea has reclaimed all the marble patios lined fountains and urns back, but is still one of the most beautiful places I know.
I took this shot on Bank Holiday Monday when we were having some of the recent wonderful weather. As you can see all the Sea Pink thrift is in flower all over the cliff tops, which gives the whole area this fantastic pink glow. As I said inspirational. The house is on a National Trust headland and the only other building is a pub (just above in the picture), which is great for sundowners!

As you can see (above) the whole of the cliff side was awash with a diverse mix of plants and colours and the best bit is that as is it close (see below), but not really walking distance to Newquay it is relatively quiet for such an exquisite place. You can just see Fistral Bay, reported to be the best surfing in GB, over the headland and Newquay is in the next bay to that. I love watching the surfers waiting to catch that perfect wave and off they go with a whoosh of adrenalin. Heavenly.

Well enough waxing lyrical about my break - time for craft.....

I did make quite a few cards, but didn't get time to finish all of them off as there is only so much stash I could sneak in the boot - LOL. So I will post them over the next fews days as I add the finishing touches.

Over and out for now

Sara x

Birthdays and crafting - What a great combination

2009-05-12T18:16:00.008+01:00

As I said on my previous postings I have been trying to get all my antics of the last week uploaded and failed three times so this is the last part of my post from the weekend. I have quite a number of birthdays this week and so have been busy trying to get together a pile of cards so I don't get caught on the hop so to speak. (non seasonal pun intended!)

Saturday I took my friend Hilary to a Jane Gill class at the Glitter Pot, which was great fun albeit there was a huge amount of cutting out which she was not happy about we did a great card using the Hero Clear Design - Printed Flowers stamps. (115/365)

I will link to the card on Jane's site once she has loaded it.

Afterwards we went off to another friends house for a party for her daughter who was four. We managed to arrive just as all the kids were worn out or leaving (what a shame LOL). Anna was having a great time and loved our present which was a big box of crafting goodies I had put together to start her on the right way forward.

We had a fantastic evening sitting around chatting to people that I hadn't seen for ages, but it was a little curtained as I got a call from Dean to say he had managed to take a bounce into his face when playing cricket and had just got back from the hospital. Fortunately they managed to glue and steri strip the cut, but he has a lovely shiner developing now!

Sunday was free so I managed to get our in to the garden for a while, but although it was sunny it got quite cold later on allowing me to sneak off and do some crafting for a little while.

I had a packet of acetate cards, which I had sitting in my stash for ages and this stamp just looked so good on a smaller layout.

Recipe: 116/365

Stamps: Penny Black - Squeeze 'til I squeak & Scrolling along!, Alota - Happy birthday to you, Woodware - Jane's script.

Paper: Single Fold acetate Card Blanks, Bazzill Bling - Hollywood and bank roll

Other: Embelishment - Craftwork cards, Stickles - diamond, White stazon, Watercolour pencils

Recipe: 117/365

Stamps: Penny Black - Squeeze 'til I squeak,

Other: Bazzill Bling - Emerald City & In The Pink, Cuttlebug - Bloom dots, The Robin's Nest dew drops - Poinsettia, papermania ribbon - Pretty Pink Floral, Birthday wishes from Craftwork cards, Ink Colorbox Queue - Tulip Field, H2O's - can't remember the colours, Green square card from stash.

Phew, well that just about wraps it up. All that precious crafting time wasted......

So its toodle pip for now - have to dash to get to my aerobic class

Sara

Birthday Bonanza

2009-05-11T21:26:00.015+01:00

Well here is part two

I have so many birthdays at the beginning of May I was under quite a bit of pressure to get some cards made, but luckily for me (LOL) I had some new stamps from my visit to the Glitter Pot the day before to ink up so off I went.

Recipe: 111/365

Stamps: Penny Black Little Edition - Teddy and Company; Stamping up - Circle of f- riends

Paper: Bazzill Bling - Bank Roll

Other: Watercolour pencils, Quickutz - Nesting Flowers,Glossy accents, Stickles - Diamond

Recipe: 112/365

Stamps: Penny Black Little edition - Teddy and Co; Stampendous - Words
Paper: Bazzill Bling - Bank Roll, My Minds Eye - Graceful Circles
Other: Versamagic - Green Tea, Cuttlebug embossing folder - Bloom Dots, Quickutz - Nesting flowers, green dots and diamante from stash

I carried on the flower theme on the inside with the Quickutz nesting flowers from Crafts u love

Recipe: 113/365
Stamps: Penny Black Little Edition - Team Teddy
Paper: My Minds Eye - Graceful Circles, Bazzill Bling - bank roll
Other: Prima flowers, Brads, words from stash, watercolour pencils, Glossy accents, Stickles - Diamond

Recipe:
Stamps: Daisy & Dandelion Stamps - Dandelion Goes Fishing
Other: Coordinations paper, Glossy accents
Phew so far so good so am going to try and post this while everything is still working!!

Late Post for May bank holiday

2009-05-11T20:17:00.006+01:00

AAAAH

I have trying to post this entry onto my blog for the last couple days and I keep having issues. Technology & I really don't mix LOL

So here goes.... my third attempt! I'm going to break this down into three posts in an attempt to sneak my entries into the 'puter.
So last week end ended up being really great as I managed to persuade Dean to take me down to the Glitter Pot on the Sunday in exchange for a nice lunch in a pub on route. There were some great demo's there and I picked up some really great ideas. Paula Pascule was using the new Co-ordinations Whitewash, which looks great with the cuttlebug folders. Jane Gill was showing us a miriade of uses for the Woodware Chippies and the lovely Stamping Caz was of course demoing the new 'Little edition' Penny Black stamps which were gorgeous and meant I had to have a little spend. Well it would be rude not too.......
So on bank holiday Monday I agreed to give up my 'crafting' day to go for a long walk. This ended up being a bit of a long walk interspursed with visits to some pubs on routs around the villages Cobham as the weather was pretty dodgey.

In between all the pub hopping we did manage to take a couple of shots of the blue bells.
And when Dean collapsed on the sofa later on I finally managed to to get some crafting done