Simply Angelic!

Whoops didn't manage yesterday's post,

busy out buying wallpaper and paint to get my front room decorated before Christmas!

Then I had my friends children over in the evening

 and we had a craft session with some fabby Martha Stewart products,

I have taken pictures so will share them later this week with you.

Back to Andy Skinner's second class with fabby paint techniques.

Here is my tag;

With this tag we used the "dry brushing" technique with the wonderful new Martha Stewart paints and Andy's stamps "Simply Angelic".

Why not pop over to the lovely Kath's blog and check out her posting for yesterday....why...

well, she has been so good and gone home and finished her projects.

Arh Kath you are too good!  LOL.

I love how you've finished them.

An incentive indeed to get cracking with mine also.

Anyway that's all from me today.

I have a little boy off school desperate to help decorate

so I better go and get him from under my hubby's feet.

Crafty day out.

Yesterday I was luck to join Andy Skinner for two classes at the Papeterie in Aberdeen.

I also met the lovely Lindsay Mason who was also teaching,

plus some fella crafters and bloggers;

Kath, Anne, Charlotte and Kara.

I hopefully made some new crafting friends too.

This is what we made in our first class.

We concentrated on different paint techniques and ways to create texture, rivets and metal effects.

I really enjoyed all the different techniques that Andy shared with us,

 it was a very relaxed class even stopping for tea and treats! 

(My kind of class!)

We used the new Martha Stewart acrylic paints and Andy's own stamps Flight of Fancy.

I love the fact that Andy carries across products used in ceramics to his paper crafting....

they works so well.

I have a stack of ceramic items somewhere here as it was my main hobby before paper crafts

...time to go full circle and get some out and play again.

Now where did I put them?!

That is the question.

More from me tomorrow.

Bad blogger!

Oh I have been such a bad blogger of late.

Sorry guys but busy making stocking fillers and gifts plus I've had visitors and been away at the weekend.

Having major crafting withdrawal symptoms I can tell you.

Still my youngest is back to school today and I am catching up on some crafting orders.

Thought I'd just share with you my recent Christmas gifts class.

I have made a gift card wrapped in ribbon,

a shoe with thanks to Stacy for the template

 and a door hanger complete with chocolate.

I have used;

MME papers Stella and Rose;
Joy Woodgrain paper, Play Damask paper and Hazel special fine floret paper.

Loss and Found 2 Princess stamps.
Spellbinder Nestabilities die Petite ovals small and Shapeabilities Daisy flower topper.
The button is by Idea-ology and ribbon/fibres from my stash.

The card is 4 x 12" and is scored at 2, 4 8 and 10" then decorated with a pocket in the centre to add a gift card.

The door plate is 3 x 11" scored at 1,2,4 and 4 1/2" from the bottom to create the pocket.
Then a oval is cut on the 1" score mark and again at the top to hook over the door.
Then decorate and add chocolate.

Just putting together my next Sugar Bowl sample ready for the next challenge
.....my lips are sealed!
After that looking at this craft room I think a tidy is in order...maybe some lunch first to build up my strength, LOL.
Have a great "hump" day!

Sugar Bowl 72 and IACW!

It's that time again and today it is the wonderful

Gayle's

sketch for the next Sugar Bowl challenge.

Here is my take;

 

With the sketch;

 

And the theme;

ice and snow!

Brrr!

Up for grabs are your choice of 4 Sugar Nellie stamps if under 100 entries and 6 if over.

For my card I have used;

Sugar Nellie stamp Festive friends coloured with copics.

First Edition Christmas joy 6" papers.

PI sentiment stamps by Paula Pascual Large Christmas and

 Distress inks Broken China and Antique linen.

Diamond stickles.

Buttons and string from stash.

Another great sketch and a different shape of card this time around.

I really enjoyed making this card, but remember as I always say....

you've got to be in it to win it!

Today is also my first day posting on It's a Creative World. 

I am looking forwards to sharing my ideas over there

as it is made up of a talented bunch of crafters.

I have included my double slider that I made recently

and I know some of the local ladies have been waiting for me to post the link for instructions,

thanks for your patience....it is here. 

With an extra big thanks to Dawn for sharing the secret recipe.

Now for the pictures;

The first picture is with the tags pulled out and the second with it closed.

For this card I have used;

MME Loss and found Union Square papers with AC textured card.

Martha Stewart punch Traditional scalloped to create the tree with stickles diamond to accent.

Sentiment stamps by Kirsty Wiseman Many Greetings and the Holly stamp is by PI.

The wee tag is by Spellbinder ribbon tag trio and I have threaded seam binding through it instead of using a sentiment for a change.

Finally I have finished with Distress ink Vintage photo and Tea dye.

As I mention on the IACW blog my little boy thinks this card is just magic.

He promptly went off to his craft box and had a wee go but of course without the special ingredient it won't work!

Another case of re use and recycle those plastic bags but in a whole other direction.

Why not give it a go?

Happy crafting.

Charming fragment

Morning guys just a quickie from me today as I'm doing one of my craft fairs tonight and I shall be beavering away all day.

This is a wee charm I made up for the Christmas tree.

Above are pictures of the front and back.

I have used;

Stamps Andy Skinner Simply Angelic and Inkadinkadoo Winter Wonderland.

Papers MME Loss and found Christmas.

Stickles Diamond.

 Idea-ology fragment tags x 2.

Charm, bell and ribbon from stash.

I have attached paper to the back of my fragments using glossy accents

and then attached them back to back to create the Christmas decoration,

finally adding a ribbon and embellishments to finish.

Simples!

Tomorrow is my first post on IACW....excited, yes.

I'm away to see if I can also use type pad!!

Wish me luck.

Happy crafting!

Boxing clever!

Arh where did yesterday go...yep no post from me.

In my defence my house is tidy except of course my crafting space.

I also had a wee boy off school not feeling well plus my mum arrived.

A busy day was had by all!

On to today and this card;

A closer look at the centre;

And inside;

Whoops the inside I photographed a wee bit wonky, sorry, but you'll get the general idea.

For this card I have used;

MME Loss and Found Christmas 6" paper pad.

Martha Stewart punch Doilly lace.

Crackle glaze and Stickles Diamond with StazOn Timber Brown.

Distress ink Tea Tye.

Stamped images from Inkadinkadoo Winter Wonderland and sentiments from PI Kirsty Wiseman Many Greetings.

Spellbinder Shapeabilities die Ribbon tags trio.

Finally ribbon from stash.

You can find the instructions to make this card here.

I have found through playing

 StazOn ink works the best with Crackle glaze.

The stickles have been added on top of the glaze once dried.

I love this shape of card and would like to thank the girls over on Splitcoaststampers for sharing this tutorial.

I'm going to be a wee bit quiet over the next week as I have two craft fairs up and coming and also plans for a busy weekend.

Happy crafting to you all.....cause that's what I'll be doing!

New shoes?!

Today it is our local crop in Hopeman so my next job is to pack my bags ready to go.

I have a pamper evening in the middle of next week at the local school that I've been asked to do a stall for, so I think I best get my thinking cap on and make some items for that.

Today I thought I'd share with you my new shoes from my recent demo in Elgin.

I love these.....

great idea for a novel Christmas gift, filling the toe with a couple of sweeties or cosmetics.

For my shoes I have used;

MME Loss and Found Union Square papers.

Spellbinder Nestabilities Layered Poinsettia.

Sentiment stamp by PI Paula Pascual Essential Christmas.

Distress ink Vintage Photo.

Lace from Papercraft's Boutique in Elgin.

Beads from stash.

I'd like to give a big shout out to Stacy Cohen for allowing me to use her fabulous template for my demonstration which you can find here, together with some of her lovely samples too.

Why not pop on over to her blog for a wee look.

When my son saw me making these he said,

"mum they're way to small for you, are they for a baby to wear?"

I replied I don't think the heel would stand my weight if nothing else

and I can't see a baby in them either.

To which the reply was...."then why are you making them?"

Don't you just love kids!

My reply was of course

"because I can....and I love a challenge!"

I'm not a girl who goes mad about shoes or bags if anything I prefer a good sheet of 12" paper, LOL.

But I guess we all know a friend with a love of shoes.....don't we?

Even better a crafter who loves shoes!

Have a great Sunday.

To all those out on parade this Sunday, stay warm.

My eldest is doing his bit today but I am gutted that I won't be able to see him....

but then I'd only embarrass him by welling up!

My other boys are playing rugby or they too would be at a service.

My favourite parade I was involved in was on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh....have you ever tried marching in the wet on cobbles....my it's slippy.

More from me tomorrow.



A wee dram!

Don't mind if I do thanks....

Saturday night curry and dram just now sat waiting for Saturday night viewing.

Today I spent the day at Papercraft's Boutique in Elgin.

Now I'm bushed!

I enjoyed my day and thank all the lovely ladies who came along....I hope you had fun too.

Just a quick card to show you tonight and another simple one for you.



 I have used:

The large stamp is by PI and was in a special pack at the shop for Christmas.

Martha Stewart glitter.

Spellbinder Shapeabilities Ribbon tags trio.

Sentiment by PI Kirsty Wiseman Many Greetings.

Red and cream cardstock by AC and ribbon from stash.

Distress ink Vintage photo, Tea dye and Black Soot.

With the large stamp I inked it with black soot distress inks and used my heat gun to dry it.

Once dry I took a paint brush and some water to the image and spread out the ink using the shading on the stamp as a guide. 

I then added tea dye and vintage photo around the edges to give it a vintage feel before adding the glitter.

This gives it a oldie worldly type of appearance,

I like it, what about you?

I'm away to chill out and watch some TV with my wee boy,

more from me tomorrow.

It is our local crop in Hopeman tomorrow afternoon so more crafting for me, yippee.



11.11.11

 

Remembrance day

 

 

 

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them."

 

Today being the official Remembrance Day

I shall take a moment to remember

those who I know who have lost their life serving our country,

and of course those who I don't.

With a special mention to the lost Nimrod crews of RAF Kinloss.

Oh and of course my two Grandfathers who had long and fruitful lives but

served during the last world war with pride.

 

Where will you be on the 11th of the 11th in 2011 at 11a.m?

Or even at 11.11 a.m!

Is it just me or is that a bit spooky?

 

This morning I shall be making my final preparations for my classes at Papercraft Boutique tomorrow.

Fancy a wee peak?

 

 

What could it be?

All will become clear next week.

 

On to today.

This is the card I want to share with you;

 

Closed.

And opened.

For this card I have used;

MME Loss and Found Christmas 6" pad plus AC textured red cardstock.

Stamps by Inkadinkado Winter Wonderland and Sentiments by PI Kirsty Wiseman Many Greetings.

Spellbinder Nestabilities die labels 15.

Stickles Diamond.

Black StazOn ink and Distress ink Tea Dye plus Vintage photo.

Ribbon from stash.

I found the instructions for this card here.

Thanks to Dawn for sharing.

It's great fun to make and something a little bit different to do for Christmas.

That's all from me today.

Have a good one. 

It's all in the technique!

So I've been told, as I snigger here whilst writing my blog.

Bit late today but have been getting some food in and various other weekly chores which unfortunately needed doing.

Today I have another black and white card for you and it is all about "embossing".

When I first started stamping I lived in Edinburgh and there was a beautiful shop in the centre by the station that was wall to wall stamps.

Oh, I used to love a trip into town on a Saturday morning just to wander around this shop alone.

I bought my first stamp and embossing powders there.

It's great to see that embossing seems to be having a wee bit of a revival just now,

maybe the postage charges have something to do with it, I don't know.

There are certainly a lot more products available now to make cards even more interesting but for this card I have gone back to the basics.

On to the card;

I have used;

Spellbinder Nestabilities Classic squares to create the black frame.

Inkadinkado Inchies Winter Wonderland stamp set, and PI Kirsty Wiseman Many Greetings.

White and clear embossing powder.

Distress ink pad Black soot which I have used after white embossing then wiped back to give a background colour in the centre.

Finally I've added bling from Zva Creative and Stickles Diamond to accent.

More from me tomorrow and I'm moving onto my favourite colour for Christmas RED!



"Simples, squeak!"

Today I have a nice simple flat card for you.

I have used;

Spellbinder Shapeabilities Ribbon tags trio.

Creative Imaginations Sticky Merry and Bright.

PI sentiment stamps by Kirsty Wiseman "Many Greetings".

Glitter by Martha Stewart.

Bling and ribbon from stash.

On Saturday we had a great deal on a pack of goodies by Creative Imagination.

Inside it was a packet of stickies, which was the only item that I thought other crafters would say,

"what will I do with that!"

Stickies are designed for working with foils...but if you don't have they work just as well with fine glitters.

They work like a rub-on but are sticky and so are very simple but effective.

Cut out, rub on, peel of then glitter, simples, squeak!

Less is more!!

365 days a year and grunge.

What a combination!

Some would say a perfect one....

let me explain more....!

Firstly to my second item from this weekends demo in Elgin,

and more Timtastic products;



I have used;

Inkssential manila craft tags.

PI Acetate sheets.

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz cling mounted stamps Fairytale frenzy and Urban tapestry.

Distress inks;  Peeled paint, Crushed olive, Festive berries, Fired brick, Tea dye, Vintage photo and Walnut Stain.

Distressed stickles;  Peeled paint, Fire brick and Vintage photo.

Stickles Diamond.

Fibres and charms from my stash.

With these tags I have layered up the inks.

First creating the background and then added different coloured inks on top of each other.

I love this style as there is no right or wrong way to do it,

more a case of just get stuck in and have a play!

I think the acetate is a great way to show the tags especially for a demo but the tags could be easily added to cards or other projects.

Now on to my 365 day calender....and yes it gets later and later every month.

In my defence I have been a busy little bee of late and am nearly all crafted out,

just 2 craft fairs and a day of classes left before Christmas

then I can get stuck into my own gifts and cards.

Here what I have done for November;

It just had to be my take on fireworks!

I have used;

Distress ink Black soot, Evergreen bough and Festive berry.

Star punch by Woodware.

Lettering by Doodlebug.

Tattered Angels glimmer mist Silver, Gold and Turquoise blue plus chalkboard Strawberry shortcake.

Stamp burst by Anita's and Hero arts Dotty pattern.

Plus Magistical Memories chipboard bursts. 

White and red Acrylic paints.

(It's amazing what you can find in your craft room when you have a root!)

I wanted to create a typical November the 5th night.

What do you think?

Here is my October all done;

If you want details of what I used please pop back to the 2nd of October where you will find my list.

This calender is a challenge being run by the lovely Kate.

Why not pop on over to her blog and check out her fabulous work.

She also has a link at the beginning of the month to all other crafty folk who are joining in with this challenge.

It is really worth a look as there are some fabulous calenders out there and everyone so different.

That's all from me for today.

I'm away to make my next Sugar Bowl challenge!!

Happy crafting and have a great Tuesday.

Erika. x

The two C's!

What I hear you cry?

Well firstly I'd like to say a big

THANK YOU

to all the lovely ladies who visited me in Elgin on Saturday.

I had a lovely day.....didn't it go fast?

To those ladies who came later in the day sorry about the squeaky voice....

still not back yet,

just cold I think and not punishment for talking too much!

Anyway what you really want to know is who won my first "C" from the title....

CANDY

The name drawn by the random generator is......

drum roll.......

BECKY 

If you would like to send my your address here.

I will get your candy treats posted out to you.

Sorry to everyone else who entered but watch this space as I plan on having some more coming up soon,

and thank you so much for taking the time to enter.

Now on to the next "C"

CRAFTING

What else could it be?

Here is the first of my samples from Saturday's demo in

Papercraft's Boutique,

Elgin.

I have used;

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz cling mounted stamps "Fairytale Frenzy" and "Urban Tapestry".

Distress embossing ink Peeled paint.

Distress inks Peeled paint, Crushed olive, NEW Festive berries, Fired brick, Tea dye, Vintage photo and finally Walnut stain.

Diamond Stickles.

Sentiment by Hero arts "Finding joy".

I first embossed the plants with the distress embossing ink,

once cooled you rub with your finger and it leaves a great effect.

I think it feels a lot like the texture of sandpaper.

Then I have started at the bottom of the card and blended the two green inks then worked up and added the two reds.

I have used the dotty stamp with tea dye around the outside of the card then finished with vintage photo.

Finally adding the sentiment and butterfly with walnut.

I have created two butterflies and layered them adding Diamond stickles to finish.

One word of warning:

As you know Distress inks respond to water so if your hands are not completely dry and you touch the background you will get finger marks.

I used a napkin to protect where I have already worked.....just in case!

That's all from me today 

I  have a thumping head now to go with my squeaky voice!

Don't you just love this time off year?

Still I have a mound of ironing and some cards on order together with a couple of craft fairs coming up so better get my skates on.

Maybe the steam from the ironing will be just the ticket today....

clear those tubes, LOL!.

Adorable

Well that's me ready for tomorrow,

just got to decide what I'm going to wear

....what's a girl to do!

Before I forget I wanted to add a wee link to the

NEW Sugar Nellie digi Adorable stamps which are available from tomorrow morning here.

Aren't they cute.

More from me soon and I will be drawing my candy on Monday.

Have a great weekend whatever you are up to.

Sugar Bowl challenge 71

Now I know I said I wasn't posting this week but I didn't include my SB challenge into the equation.

Today it's my sketch with the added theme "Patchwork".

This is my take:

And the sketch:

I have used:

Posy Pip from Sugar Nellie.

Paper by DCWV Linen Closet.

Spellbinder nestabilities Lacey circles (for the flower too) and Classic circles.

Spellbinder Shapeabilities Foliage.

Rub-on sentiment from Sizzix.

Gems from Hobbyhouse.

On Posy Pips flower I have made it 3d and added Distress stickles Vintage photo and Crackle glaze.

Jewellery bead spacer and bead from stash.

Image coloured with copics and stitching on my machine.

Up for grabs today on the prize front is 4 of your choice Sugar Nellie stamps

which will increase to 6 after 100 entries.

I hope you enjoy my sketch and good luck with the draw.

For local girls I am demoing in Elgin this Saturday,

it's my last one before Christmas!

I popped by the shop yesterday and

oh my,

Karen has done you all proud again.

She has some super offers available!!

Finally before I sign off

I'd just like to give you a reminder that my posting below this one is my

"CANDY".

Please feel free to leave me a comment.

That's all from me now till next week,

Happy crafting!

Erika.  x



Gorjuss sweet candy time.

As promised yesterday it's candy time.

Here is what is up for grabs.

Gorjuss stamp Dropped.

Papers from K & Company Winter Wonderland.

Tattered Rose Distress ink.

Lace, ribbons and embellishments to match.

So what to do...

This is open to all just join as a follower of my blog and leave a comment to be in with a chance.

The winner will be chosen at random next Monday so not long to wait.

Remember you've got to be in it to win it!

Happy crafting and good luck.

I shall be taking a wee break from my blog this week to catch up on some work but will resume next week with more cards and samples for you.

See you soon.

Hugs Erika.