Busy as a bee!

Hi folks, well what a fun week I have had playing, sorry, designing some Christmas ideas ready for this Saturday's demonstration at the Papercraft's Boutique in Elgin.  I shall be there between 10 and 4, it would be great to see you.
Here is a wee sneak preview to wet your appetite.

Mmm if you want to see more you know where to find me!  :)
 
It only remains for me to wish you all the best for the weekend ahead. 

"Happy crafting!"

What's on your workdesk this Wednesday 169

Hi folks and I've got a very exciting couple of days planning in my crafting den.  The run of pre-Christmas demonstrations starts this weekend in Elgin and here is what I've been sent to play with....

OMG where to start?  And how lucky am I!
I'm going to get my head down and see what I can come up with, then I have a busy evening ahead with the Opticians, Drumming lessons and Judo!
I hope to get back to the computer late evening to have a wander around other desk spaces.

It only remains for me to say thank you very much for popping by and check out more desks via the wonderful Julia and her space.

I thought I'd leave you with a wee funny....can you guess what the weather is like with us today.....

Finally I'd like to say to my friends Stateside effected by the weather....I'm thinking of you, I hope hurricane Isaac isn't as scary as it looks on the news.  x

Making like a beaver!

Mmm that title has made me smile. 
Today I am in class designing mode so no pictures for you just yet. 
The rain is pouring so it's a perfect day to make a cup of tea and get my thinking cap on. 
I think my blog might be quiet this week as I try and get all crafty!

Have a great week and I hope you are having better weather.  x

Thank you so much!

A busy little bee...I have been, and my craft room is starting to look a lot tidier.  I still need to have a clear out to reduce the volume!  It will have to wait as I have 3 classes to design this week and one demonstration, that will keep me out of mischief.

Before I show you today's card I would just like to give a wee toot to a couple of ladies from the Aberdeen area who have recently made my day. 
Firstly to Joyce for the lovely gifts and card, you really shouldn't have but they did go down well, thank you.  I hope you enjoyed making up your kit. 
Secondly to Linda, thank you for your lovely e-mail regarding one of my cards and my classes.  It is so lovely to get feedback and I do appreciate the time spent in doing so.

Now to the card.  Today it is another rejig for the up coming show at Perth next weekend.

For this card I have used Spellbinder Nestabilities die Beaded ovals, Labels 8 and 24 together with Shapeablities Fancy tags and M-Bossabilities Elegance.  The sentiment is by Marine Emberson "Its all in the words" and pearls are from my stash.

No post yesterday as I was absent in Aviemore all day for the annual Thunder in the Glens rally, a great day was had by all and it was time for me to catch up with my parents whilst checking out all the Harley's.  The thunder being more like a rumble once the bikes set off on their ride.  My youngest loves it and already has the leather waistcoat covered in badges with the help of Grandma!
Biker boy!

It only remains for me to thank you for the visit and wish you all the best for the rest of the weekend.

You make my life sparkle Spellbinder style.

The last couple of days haven't been great but I'm putting on my professional head and sharing this card.  It is one of my samples for the Trade show this weekend in Perth.

 

It is a remake of an earlier card with a wee change. 

I have used Spellbinder Nestabilities Labels 24, Shapeabilities Fancy tags 3 and M-Bossabilities Patchwork.  The sentiment is from Hero arts and the bling is from my stash.

I love the sentiment and could do with a wee bit of sparkle today or maybe even light at the end of the tunnel, LOL.

Enough of my waffle I'm away to try and sort this craft room out as things are set to get a bit busy over the next couple of weeks.

Have a super Thursday and more from me tomorrow.

Sugar bowl challenge 90

I usually say where did that fortnight go but the last month has flown. 
Children back to school and routine back to normal ish!

This Sugar bowl sketch is by the lovely Wendy with the theme "Love and romance!"
Now those of you who know me know I'm not big on the love and romance "thing" so this challenge really was a challenge for me, LOL.  I decided to opt for a Christmas theme as that is one time of the year that love is bounty full!
Here is my take on the sketch...

This is Sugar Nellie stamp Santa with tree.  I have also used Martha Stewart Christmas paper and Spellbinder dies Labels 8, Classic round and Scalloped round.  The sentiment stamp is by Lili of the Valley, the little tags are by SU, lace and gold embellishments from my stash.  Santa is coloured with copic markers and Stickles diamond.

And the sketch...

Up for grabs are 4 Sugar Nellie stamps for the winner chosen at random which will go to 6 if entries are over 100.  It only remains for me to say you've got to be in it to win it and have fun with the sketch.

Thanks for popping by and more from me tomorrow.  Happy crafting.  x

What's on your Work desk this Wednesday 168

Another Wednesday has arrived and this week the kids are back at school and it's time to get down to the serious business of Christmas crafting!  Oh no!  I hear you cry.  I am too LOL.
Soon the yummy parcels will be arriving from PI and I'll be ooooing and arhing over what is inside but before I do, I thought today I'd have a wee play with some new stamps and embellishments that as yet I haven't had chance to open....

Now then what shall I do with these beauties...mmmmm?

Short and sweet from me today I've got a trip planned into my local craft shop for local people and maybe a bit of housework later...then time to play. 
I'll be back later to see what other like minded crafters are up to, you can find out from the lovely Julia's blog here. 
It only remains for me to say have a great Wednesday and thanks for popping by my place.  I tend to visit blogs at random each week but if you leave a comment I will be whizzing by your place first.

What no crafting?

Hi folks and yup I have nothing exciting to show you today.  Boo!
The last couple of days have been spent running around getting my boys ready to go back to school.  My youngest jumped on his bike this morning and dashed off to school looking all smart, grown up and tidy....I wonder how long that will last? 
My oldest goes back later today and I'm not looking forwards to it.

As for today...I am finishing off some samples for the trade fair this weekend down in Perth.  I am hoping to make it down there but I have a bit of juggling to do first. 

I have half a dozen classes coming up in September so I need to get my thinking cap on and the ball rolling plus four demonstrations covering Elgin, Aberdeen, Inverness and Oldmeldrum. 
I think September is going to fly by, lets hope those creative juices flow freely!

I'm going to sign off and crack on.  Have a super Tuesday.  x

Spellbinders Box die makes another appearance.

Today I am sharing my final item from my recent class and it is using the Spellbinder Grand Square bracket edged box.

I have also used Nestabilities die Labels 1 plus Shapeabilities Damask Motifs and Ribbon buckles.  Finally I have added ribbon and pearls from my stash.
These little gift boxes are great not only for Wedding favours but would also make great general gift boxes and I've also seen them used to make an advent calender for Christmas.

Today is going to be my manic pre-school dash day.  I do it every year and each time I say next year I'm going to be more organised.  I have a pile of clothes waiting to be names and some items, I found out last night, that I need to purchase for tomorrow!  Oh why.  I even started well at the beginning of the holidays getting a lot of the items I knew I would need but something always catches me out.  This time it's swimming trunks and plimsoll's. 
I predict a busy day ahead and a trip out shopping with the boys....oh the joys!

Spellbinding elegance?!

Today I am sharing my second class card....

For this card I have used Spellbinder dies; Grand Dahlia Nestabilities, Labels 24, Labels 1 and Shapeabilties Damask motifs.  The sentiment is by Marion Emberson "It's all in the words" and finally pearls from my stash.

The Damask motifs has been cut and attached to the back of the frame made by Labels 24.

I do like to play around with the dies!

It looks like today is going to be another red hot day so better get moving...I think more time spent down at the harbour or beach is in order.  Have a super Sunday.  x 



A class act!

Oh trying to come up with catchy titles....my brain hurts!  LOL.

Over the next three days I shall be sharing with you my items from last weekends class in Aberdeen.
First this one....

For this card I have used Spellbinder Nestabilities dies Labels 24 and Labels 25, Shapeabilities Lattice Motifs and M-Bossabilities Patchwork.  The sentiment stamp is from Marion Emberson On your Special day and pearls from my stash.

The new 5 x 7 M-Bossabilities are great for 6" cards as you can get a 5" square all in one unlike other folders where you would have to piece two bits together in the middle.  I am finding this is giving a whole new dimension to my cards.  Have you tried them yet?  I also love the fact you have two designs on each folder with and "innie" and "outie" option too.  Oh the possibilities!

Have a super weekend whatever you have planned.  Tomorrow we have a local raft race in the next village so I'm hoping for some sunshine and a fun day.  Today it is supposed to be lovely so maybe some dooking down the harbour, fingers crossed the dolphins are out too.
Back tomorrow with more. 

Let it snow, just not yet!

Back again and today I've got an 8" card for you with the theme "Snowflakes!"

For the card I have used Spellbinder Grand Nestabilities Scalloped square, the card is all from the Papeterie too.  For the snowflake background I have embossed the snowflakes from Shapeabilities Create a flake 3, go straight to embossing with your pink and tan mat and make sure the card isn't too thick or you'll get creasing.  For the large snowflake I have used 2 Snowflake Pendant 2011 dies and 1 2010 Snowflake pendant and cut out in the centre with Spellbinder Nestabilities Classic circle.  I have layered them together and have removed the little bits in between the snowflake arms off.  Here's a closer look....

The sentiment stamp in the centre of the Snowflake is from Kirsty Wiseman Worded baubles and embossed in Silver.  Then I have added a few bits of bling along the snowflake arms. 
"Snow is falling" is from KW Many Greetings and is inked onto a Shapeabilities Fancy tags 3 but I've then cut the fancy bits off and added some bling.

Oh I like to be different and what I wanted to show with this card is that you can also adapt the dies to what you want and not just work your card around the dies...if this means a bit of snipping or layering so be it.....it's all about having fun and being creative!
That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I'm away to the theatre tonight with one of my pals and am really looking forwards to a night out of fun but I'll be back again tomorrow to show you what we made in my class last Saturday. 
Have a super weekend.  x

Gorjuss Snowman takes centre stage!

Hi folks today I want to share with you a centre step card using the Gorjuss stamp set "Snowman" coloured using my copic markers.

I have also used papers by MME 12 Days of Christmas and Spellbinder Nestabilities die Romantic Rectangles and Shapeabilities Create a flake 3.  The Snowman sentiment and robin come with the Snowman stamp set too.  I finally added some Stickles glitter Diamond and bling from my stash.

To make this card I followed this tutorial by the lovely Frances at Splitcoast Stampers, thanks for sharing Frances.  It is really easy to follow the basic card cutting instructions and then decorate as you please.

I love this shape of centre step card as it gives you a good size rectangle in the centre for your main stamping project.  This snowman stamp is also fabulous to colour as you are only really highlighting the shadows, quick to make especially at Christmas when you have lots of cards to create.

Whats on your Work desk 167

It's that time again, sharing our work desk on a Wednesday.  So what is on mine?  Well, there isn't much crafting going on! 
Yesterday was far too nice to stay in so after the Go-karting we went out on the boat to try and see the dolphins jumping and catch a couple of fish for tea.  To finish the evening off my youngest and I had a walk along the beach. 
I love living here when the weather is good, with no hassle travelling.  I must sort out some pictures to share so you can see what I mean.

As I mentioned the desk is not very exciting today, those boxes are filled with yummy card from the Papermill in Aberdeen, mmmmm!  I have a couple of the new Sugar Nellie stamps in the background and an invite to the next show at Glasgow.  The rest is just a mess, still.

Why not pop along to the lovely Julia's blog and check out what other like minded folk are up to?

It only remains for me to say thanks for popping by, have a great Wednesday, I'm off to enjoy the good weather but will be back later to have a hop around. 

Finally I will leave you with this a good friend sent me earlier in the week....it made me smile so I thought I'd share....



AAADD - Know the Symptoms I will put my hand up - I am an A.A.A.D.D sufferer. Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder. Somehow I feel better, even though I have it!! Don't laugh it’s not funny, seriously. Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it manifests itself:-  I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway,  I look over at my car and decide it needs washing. As I head towards the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I  picked up from the post man earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the recycling box under the table, and notice that the recycling box is full. So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the recycling first. But then I think, since I'm going to be near the post-box when I take  out the recycling paper anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my cheque book off the table, And notice that there is only one cheque left. My extra cheques are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the cup of coffee I'd been drinking. I'm going to look for my cheques, but first I need to push the coffee aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. The coffee is getting cold, and I decide to make another cup.  As I head toward the kitchen with the cold coffee, a vase of flowers on the worktop catches my eye - the flowers need water. I put the coffee on the worktop and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I put the glasses back down on the worktop, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote control. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realise that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table so I decide to put it back where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers. I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I put the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to  do.       At the end of the day:       The car isn't washed       The bills aren't paid       There is a cold cup of coffee sitting on the counter       The flowers don't have enough water,       There is still only 1 cheque in my cheque book,       I can't find the remote,       I can't find my glasses,       And I don't remember what I did with the car keys. Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know was busy all damn day, and I'm really tired.

I don't think I'm that bad as yet but guess it's something to look forwards to.
Mind you there are a few I can hold my hands up to already.  Yikes!

Oh Christmas tree, Paula Pascual style.

Hi folks and today I'm sharing with you my less is more card from the weekend.  When I do a batch of cards to demo with I always try to cover something different, a different style of card or technique but I do always try and keep one card quite simple too.

For this card I have used Paula Pascual stamps Christmas tree together with paper MME 12 days of Christmas, Spellbinder Nestabilities die Postage stamp, Archival black ink, Distress ink Evergreen bough and bling from my stash.

Today I am away for a fun afternoon Go karting with my boys "do you think Jenson Button should be worried?"
I doubt it, LOL.  It should be fun as we are going with some family friends too....I can feel my competitive streak getting a dust down.
Have a super day and it is "Whats on your work desk tomorrow" another chance to show you what a nice neat crafter I really am.  :)

My favourite Christmas flower.

Morning, today I want to share with you my favourite flower of Christmas time, the poinsettia.

This card was inspired by Kittie, I love her style of card making.

For mine I have used Spellbinder dies Poinsettia and Fleur De Lis Squares together with M-Bossibilities folder Elegance.  Ribbon and gold beads are from my stash and card is from the Papeterie.

What is in store for me today?  Nothing exciting I'm afraid.  This week is the gradual build up back to school, getting school uniform, hair cuts etc...Maybe I'll just squeeze another family day out or picnic before back to the daily routine rather than holiday mode.  A few cards to make and some serious craft room sorting is required too...I wonder how much I will realistically get done?

Baubles are us!

Well, after a busy Saturday I have had a lazy morning finishing the last of my book trilogy today, no, not 50 Shades of Grey but The Hunger Games, what fabulous books, I couldn't put them down and now can't wait till the DVD is released in September.  To my friends who recommended the books thank you and yes you were correct, gripping all the way through.  I now need to hide my Kindle so I can crack on with the mounting list of jobs.

Back to Saturday and I'd like to thank all the lovely ladies who came to The Papeterie in Aberdeen yesterday for my demonstration and class.  We had a busy day crafting and on such a warm summer day I appreciate your support. 
I got home to be handed my evening meal and a cup of tea! 
And the reason for this?
My kids wanted to go "dooking" at the harbour so I spent the evening in the fresh air watching them having fun and the sun going down, a lovely end to the day.

The first of the cards I want to show you is using last years 2011 Heirloom ornament and my twist on a box card.

I wanted the main front of the card to be 6" square so rather than take an A3 sheet of white card I have used 2 A4 sheets and put them together.  Each square is 6 x 6 1/2 inches, on the longer side I have scored at the 6" point leaving a 1/2" spine on each.  Before attaching them together I have scored 1" from each of the 6" external points of the card which will be the front, to start to create the box shape.  I have then continued scoring a smaller box inside 1/2" in from the 1" point.  Once complete I have cut from the larger (1") box across on the diagonal with my scalpel from top left to right bottom and then again top right to bottom left.  These create the box shape after folding and are held in place with a 4" square of matching card inside and out......the box card is finally created once you attach both spines together with red tape.
You can see this better from the side view....

I have then created a frame with the MME 12 days of Christmas double sided card and a background for the bauble.  The bauble consists of 6 dies, 1 flat which is the base and all the others folded in half and secured down the centre fold to the next.  To finish I have added a red elastic bow and 3d foamed to the card.  The sentiment is added using Fancy tags and sentiment stamp from Kirsty Wiseman Many Greetings.

I hope that all makes sense?

That's all from me today, I'll be back tomorrow with another card, enjoy the rest of your Sunday.  x

Demonstration and classes

Hi folks just a quick reminder tomorrow I shall be at the Papeterie in Aberdeen demonstrating Spellbinder dies and stamping with PI stamps.  The format is somewhat different to normal as I shall only be demonstrating in the morning as I have a class running in the afternoon.

I'm all packed and ready to go and can't wait to have some crafting fun.  Looking forwards to it.
Hugs.  x

We're back! It's Sugar bowl challenge time no.89

Didn't that month go quickly?  At least we've had a few good days of sunshine and time on the beach.  Mind you it is always nice to get more.

Today we have a sketch from the lovely Maria with the theme butterflies.
Here is my card...

I have made a 6" box card and popped Lil'l Sweet Pea in the centre coloured with prisma pencils on craft.  The card is from the Papeterie in Aberdeen, the butterfly die by SU and the Sweet pea sentiment and flowers are by Creative Expression, bling and glitter from stash.

And the sketch...

How about a side view?

Up for grabs is the chance of winning some Sugar Nellie stamps, 4 if under 100 entries and 6 if over.  The winner is chosen randomly and you can enter as many times as you like but you must use a Sugar Nellie image. 
It only remains for me to thank you for the visit and to wish you fun with the challenge.  x

What's on your work desk this Wednesday 166

Can you believe it's the middle of the week yet again...when did that happen?
This week I have been beavering away in my craft room preparing for my trip to Aberdeen at the weekend and dare I say I've got Christmas on my mind!
As for my desk...it is a wee bit tidier than last week but only just.  I've had to hide a couple of projects which are for the weekend but I'll be able to share next week.

My blue folders house my Spellbinder dies so I'm having a good rifle through them trying to come up with something a bit different.  Loving the MME paper pack, stroke, stroke!  There are some new stamps under the folders too. 
The wonderful Julia is hosting What's on your work desk Wednesday and you can see what everyone else is up to via her blog here.  Be aware mind it is very addictive.
Have a super Wednesday whatever you have planned and more from me tomorrow.

It's a girl!

Gosh I've been a bad blogger of late!
Too much sunshine and fun.  Yesterday saw me having my first day crafting over the holidays at our local crop in the village, from 10 till 6 I crafted to my hearts content with a little cake lots of tea and many giggles.  I made my next Sugar Bowl card and got ready for my class this Saturday in Aberdeen.  Not very exciting as I can't share any of it with you but it was things I needed to get done.

On to this week...well I shall need to find some crafting time as Saturday not only will I be teaching an afternoon class at the Papeterie at Aberdeen but I shall also be demonstrating in the morning from 10 a.m. too. 
I shall be using Christmas Spellbinders, stamps and papers....yes the Christmas countdown is starting this week.
This if nothing else will guarantee sunshine in the coming days, it always does when I'm sitting in my craft room trying to feel all Christmassie!  Sleigh bells ring are you listening!  LOL.

Back to a couple of simple cards I made recently to send with the birth canvas from last weeks post...

Keeping with the theme...

For the Grandparents.
Image from Sugar Nellie see side link.

For Mum and Dad.
Both cards I have kept very simple as I spent my time having fun with the canvas.

With an up coming demo this week I'm afraid it could be another quiet blog week but stick with me for next week and I will share some of my samples with you.  I might even have time on Wednesday to share what is on my work desk....mmmma sneak preview of what I am playing with maybe?!

Have a super week and as Arnie would say, "I'll be back!"

What a Spellbinding Wedding!

If you have read my previous posts you will know that there was a Wedding on Tuesday over at the House of Sugar.  Debbie looked stunning as did the rest of the family especially the Mother of the bride. 
This was my card to the happy couple...

I have used Spellbinder dies Labels Twenty four, Beaded ovals, Fancy tags One and Three and Ironwork motifs plus M-bossabilities folder Hearts.  The card is actually white and purple which was the invite colours, lettering done on the computer, pearls and ribbon from my stash.

A super day was had by all.

WOYWW 165

Oh my, oh my I'd like to start by explaining......in my defence....yep I can't believe I'm actually sharing this....

Yes under that mess is a desk!
I have been very brave or stupid today in showing you my desk before I've tidied up.  Yesterday I was making a couple of cards for myself, last minute as usual and then I've been out in the evening and again this morning.  I just haven't had chance to have a wee tidy, so you are seeing me warts and all today!  Plus the weather has been fab so I've been out down the beach with my boys enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.

To see what other tidier crafters have been up to pop over to Julia's blog for a wee nosey.
I hope by this time next week I will be much tidier!