Thursday, January 31, 2013

Whoops, missed it again this week.

No what's on your work desk this Wednesday for me but I have finally got my kids back to school and today I have been playing catch up with exciting things like washing!
I've also had a wee tidy in my craft room.....I know, unheard of!
Do I really need so much ribbon?! 


I have most of my ribbon either on rolls or stored in jars and it's no good I'm going to either have to let go of some, so hard, or I am going to need to purchase considerably more jars.
Decisions, decisions.  The bags in front of the jars are all waiting for new jars.
Believe me this really is tidy compared to how it was.

I'm hoping to find a little time to play later depending on how much homework comes home tonight after having most of the week away from school. 
In the meantime I've got a dental visit with my oldest boy. 

Catch you all later.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

A new arrival!

I did mention that my new arrival card would be a LIS card didn't I?
I am liking the simpler card just now, the clean lines and the time aspect.  I also know that my brother prefers a minimal approach to cards, another reason to stick to CAS.
This card is to welcome wee Francesca into the family.....


I have used the baby image from Sugar Nellie and Spellbinder die Decorative labels one for embossing the background.  This new baby from SN is very cute and I love using Spellbinder dies just to emboss as the tendency is to go straight to cutting.

I still have two boys poorly although we seem to just have nasty coughs, they've started to fight and argue which is always a good sign that they're feeling better....just like the Calpol advert! 
The pup is a lot better today and has been back to the vet.  She is much more her usual self although I am surprised she hasn't wanted food yet.  Hopefully later today.

That's all from me today I better go and run up lunch for every one.

Monday, January 28, 2013

What a gap in the proceedings!

Hi all back again today after a busy end to the week at work.  Since Saturday I have also had both boys unwell and today the pup went down hill rapidly...mad dash to the vets with a follow up tomorrow.  After a couple of injections she now seems a wee bit brighter, as do the kids, phew!
I am now behind the drag curve some what on the craft front and as it's my nephews birthday on Wednesday, today I have made a quick LIM card using a Lili of the Valley pirate stamp.


I have coloured with copic markers and used my Spellbinder dies to create a porthole.  I would have liked to spend more time on it but hey that's life!  Why do I now feel like bursting into song? 
I still have a new baby card to crack on with for my niece, oh no....I can feel another CAS card a coming.

I hope you all had a super weekend whatever you were up to and hopefully this house will be soon germ free so we can all get back to normal.  Whatever that may be!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

When life gets in the way!

Hi folks, whoops I missed WOYWW yesterday, it was dark when I got up and dark when I got home!
Then I had my kids evening activities to do with drumming lessons and Judo midweek.  Where does the week go?  I'm in work for the rest of the week too so it will be quiet on here I'm afraid.
On the upside I'd like to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to my brother, his partner and kids on the arrival of my niece "Francesca" born on Tuesday 6 lb 11 oz, a wee toots.  Bless!
Can't wait to meet her.
I can feel a card or two coming on!

I hope you are all having fun crafting and I'll be back soon.
Hugs.  x

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Ta dah! Timtastic tag fun for January.

Yesterday I promised to show you my version of this months tag with with Tim Holtz and his 12 tags of 2013. 
Without further ado here is my January.....


 
 
I had "such fun" making this tag and I pretty much used most of the items Tim did. 
You can find out how to make the tag by clicking on the link to his blog above.
Will you be giving it a go?

I'm back into work for the rest of the week but do hope to post later tomorrow for What's on your Work desk Wednesday.
Catch you soon. 
Oh and happy crafting!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Another Inverness trip.

Oh what a great day I've had.  Today I had to take my car again to Inverness to get fixed so I took full advantage and got in a little shopping too.  Eyebrows threaded, new make up purchased and a couple of items of clothing before another trip to Dunelm.  What a girlie day I've had, not normally my thing but as I was over getting the car sorted I thought, why not?
This week I am in work again for four days, another busy one without too much time for crafting.
Today I have put down the iron and I have decide to give this ago, because I can!

 
Normally I insist on having all my jobs up to date plus card orders and housework, which is why I rarely get to play!  So today I thought sod it, it's cold outside I'm going to have some fun.  Last year I only managed a couple of the above tags but I intend to play along this year...and make the time. 
 
I shall be back tomorrow to show you how I got on.  Happy Monday everyone, wrap up warm....it's cold outside.
(Stating the obvious!)

Friday, January 18, 2013

Mmm has it got quieter? Oh no it hasn't!

This week I had plans....to crack on with my housework and to craft.
How things change!
I had a telephone call from work to go in and help out and boy it has been busy and it looks like next week is going to be more of the same.  Still it will keep me out of mischief!
I thought I'd share this card I'd made for a good friend to send whilst I'm busy.  It's another LIS Spellbinder card.

 
I have used Spellbinder Nestabilities Scalloped hearts and Decorative Labels Eight, together with pearls and seam binding.
 
With regard to my earlier post and crocheting...lets just say lots of practise is required! 
It's a work in progress......maybe I should stick to paper crafting?!  LOL.


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

What's on your Workdesk 189

It's that time of the week again, hump day! 
What's on my work desk today.....well to be honest, nothing as I got a call from work yesterday asking me in for extra hours so whilst you read this I will be beavering away there instead. 
I did however mention that I was starting a new hobby didn't I?

Here it is.....it is something that my mum is very good at but unfortunately lives too far away to show me so I have bought some cotton and a hook and the first attempt will be a dish cloth.  I have a vague memory of these from school but can't honestly remember if I made one, I think I did cross stitch instead. 
Wish me luck for this evening I'm off to search You Tube for my first lesson!



Have a super Wednesday I hope to get back to the computer later this evening to catch up with what everyone has been up to. 
You can follow the crafty goings on today over on the lovely Julia's blog, who hosts this marvellous weekly event.

Before I go I thought I'd leave you with a wee update on the pup...she is doing well and her favourite place is keeping an eye on the fire!


Happy crafting.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Distress Paint



Oh my have you seen these too! 
The new Distress paints from Tim Holtz and Ranger....I so will be needing some of these.
How about you?

Today I have been to Inverness to see about getting my wee car fixed...of course it meant a trip to Dunelm Mill and Hobbycraft too.  Home with new curtains to put up and hem along with a new hobby to have a go at!  More to be revealed tomorrow.

Monday, January 14, 2013

How to Use Media Mixage Bezels and Matching Dies



So today I wanted to share some of the new ideas that are coming to the craft world this year.  First one of my favourite products Spellbinders....my oh, my, can't wait to get my hands on these beauties. 
Oh the possibilities.....Jewelry, scrapbooking, card making, my mind is whizzing already I wonder how long we will have to wait to get them over here?!

Well gel here as CHA is on just now in America. 
All the new products for the up coming year in crafting will be on display for folk to drool over.  LOL.  Excited.com!
Karen, Gayle, Marlene and I made the trip a couple of years ago and had a fabulous crafty week away with the girls.  Such fun!  Lots of crafty shopping, fine dinning and laughter not to mention lots of new products to stroke.  We had a great time.  Would certainly love to do it again sometime.

No crafting for me today but some house work this morning followed by lunch out with my lovely friend Irene.  I am now going to attempt a little tidying in my craft room before heading out later.
Enjoy your Monday and I'll be back tomorrow with more.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Biker celebration.

Late post from me today and I don't really know were the day has gone today.  All I can really say is that the food cupboard is suitably stocked. 
Bad but true. 
Were does the day go?

We're hoping to go out and see the New Year in at Burghead Clavie tonight although it is bitter cold outside just now....wrapping up extra warm required.  Plus it's on shortly so better get cracking as I have tea to sort too.

Today I thought I'd share with you a card I made this week for two of my parents biker pals who are celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary soon.  Not just any anniversary but this is a Harley biker celebration.

 
I have used a Harley Davidson stamp and papers together with metal sheeting.  The Spellbinder dies are Scalloped Hearts and Labels four.
Another clean and simple card with just a bit of layering.
If you wonder what the Clavie is all about I have added a link above but here is what it looks like.....


 
 
This burning barrel of tar and wood is carried around the village by elected members and drops off "smouldering faggots" for good luck at doorways.  It is really a site to see and usually the village is packed.
 
I'm at work again tomorrow but I will catch up with you again very soon.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

It's Sugar Bowl time....challenge 99.

Hi folks and it's that time again but this year we are ringing in a few changes over at the Sugar Bowl.  Firstly the sketch has gone for now with an "Anything goes theme" the only rule being that you must use either a Sugar Nellie stamp or digital image. 
The second change is that it will also now run 4 weekly, still on a Thursday, loads more time to get in entries. 
And finally thirdly we are going to be awarding "Eye Candy" which means that entrants will be awarded a badge to wear on their blogs for extra yummy entries.  More information on this change will be available on the Sugar Nellie blog Thursday the 17th of this month.

Without further ado here is my card for the next challenge....


I have used Sugar Nellie Adorable Rebecca.  I reason favour these digital images, apart from being Adorable, it doesn't matter the size of the card you are creating the image can be adjusted accordingly, oh the flexibility, love it!
I have also used Spellbinder Nestabilities Decorative Labels Eight and ovals to create the frame, this has been coloured using the new Distress stains Antiqued bronze and Tarnished brass to make an old fashioned frame effect, finished with a little Distress inks Tea dye and Walnut stain around the edges.  I have also used the Spellbinder A4 dots embossing folder.  The little tag and sentiment are SU and embellishments are from my stash. 
Rebecca is printed direct to my card and coloured using Prisma pencils....oh I do seem to be back into my pencils right now.

The prize is the same for the challenge 4 of your choice of  Sugar Nellie stamps, rising to 6 if over 100 entries.  The winner is chosen at random but must have a SN stamp to qualify.

Here is our new button award.

 

Isn't it cute!

It only remains for me to say as always "You've got to be in it to win it, good luck and happy crafting!"

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

WOYWW 188

Is it Wednesday again already?
What's on my work desk today, well first I've made a couple of cards for my pal and next I plan to tidy my room followed by some more boring housework.  Then I might get chance to do some quality crafting later. 

 
That's the plan anyway. 
 
I bought the Tim stash to do his December tag and I have still yet to complete it...guess I might just have to pass directly to January instead.
 
Pop on over to Julia's blog and see what other like minded crafters are up to. 
It only remains for me to wish you all the very best this Wednesday, I hope to come back later to have a browse, if you leave me a comment you'll be first on my list.  Happy crafting!

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

It wouldn't be a birthday without a bit of cake?!

So yesterday in blog-land it didn't seem to like me adding photographs.  I finally managed one, which is the reason for the late post but it wouldn't let me show more.  Strange but true.
So whilst I'm in work for a few extra hours this morning I thought I'd share some cake!  Because I can.

 
These are my orange muffins that I took to my local craft shop yesterday which seem to be a favourite with friends...orange zest muffins with butter icing and orange flavoured butterflies topping them off.  Nomn, nomn. 
CAKE, you can't beat a bit of cake...mind you I'm back on the healthy eating plan today, far to much yummy naughties eaten over the Christmas season.  Boo!  Why is it that the food that is bad for you tastes so good?  Something wrong there, me thinks.  Don't you?
 
Anyway I'm signing off for today, I hope to get some crafting time later this week or at least some craft room tidying. 
Boo!

Monday, January 07, 2013

New Adorables...

Back again today with the newly arrived Adorables from Sugar Nellie.  It was the lovely Karen's birthday last week (mum of the Adorable range) so what better way than to make a card with one.  Shame it was a tad late but we haven't managed to catch up over Christmas with everything else going on.
Here is my card.

 
I have used Adorables digi image Alicia together with Spellbinder grand dies Scalloped oval and oval.  The embossing folder dots is also Spellbinder and is of the A4 variety, I so love the big folders. 
I have kept this card CAS by just adding a seam binding bow and coloured with Prisma pencils.  The image was printed direct onto the card and coloured....scary or what?!  LOL. 
I am liking the LIS approach just now, I feel a trend of less is more this coming year, leaving more time to colour in.  I do like to colour in!


Friday, January 04, 2013

What no crafting!

Hi folks today I've been working and will be tomorrow also so very little crafting going on.  I did manage to put my finishing touches to the next Sugar Bowl challenge, another tick in the box!  You will have to wait for that one.  Plus I only have one more order to complete.  I may get time to play soon, can't wait.

The pup is enjoying walks out but hasn't cottoned on yet that she does her business whilst out and still comes home for that...I take it she will learn?! 
It's that long since I've had a pup I can't remember.
Needless to say she is flat out this evening after everyone wanting to walk her....how long will that last?
Probably not long but I'm taking full advantage for now.

I'd just like to finish today by wishing you all well for the first weekend of the year and hopefully I will get chance to share some crafting fun next week.  Have a good one!

Thursday, January 03, 2013

My favourite tags of 2012.

Hi back again with some more favourites from 2012.  I would love to be able to say I managed all Tim's fabulous tags from 2012 but in reality life gets in the way and I only managed a pitiful two.  Mind you I had bought the products to do the Christmas ones but just never found the time to play.
Here's to managing all of 2013...well, we will see. 
Loving January's and hope to get chance once the hubby and kids are back into work and school.


Meantime I would like to share a couple of tags that are my favourites from 2012.

 
 

Today I need to crack on with my next Sugar bowl card and a couple of orders. 
We are also getting the pup ready for walking as she is free to roam from tomorrow and is in real need of being walked.  Just got to get her ready to go on a lead and come when called....should be interesting!

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

What is on your Work desk this Wednesday?! 187

Happy New Year to all who participate in WOYWW and of course to Julia who hosts this event.  I hope Santa was good to you all at Christmas and that you all enjoyed ringing in the New Year too.  I've already posted today as I am all over with my days just now, is it Wednesday again already?! Would it be bad to say I'd like to get the decorations down and get back to normal now? 
I might then know what day of the week it is!

This is my desk today...the rest of my room is a tip, yet again.  I keep hoping that I will get on top of tidying it but the I get distracted and end up making a card or playing!


On my desk today I have some little gingerbread men that a good friend made me, some Waltzing mouse stamps I've yet to open even though they're Christmas ones...maybe for next year?  I also have some seaside sentiments that I found in with my Christmas decorations...which was a nice surprise, though how they got there I don't know.  I also have a necklace which I plan to try and mend for a good friend too.

The lovely Julia is here as are other mighty fine crafty desks....why is it other crafters desks always look like more fun than your own? 

Have a great Wednesday all, thanks very much for the visit, catch you all later as I really must food shop.

Not a card in sight!

How's yer heed aft Hogmanay?
Mine was remarkably fine especially after my eldest poured me the biggest brandy ever! 
We had a lazy day yesterday and then a meal last night at my best friends followed by games and drinks.  Much fun!
So that's all the celebrations over and done with now, time to think about packing up the decorations for another year and getting back to normal, whatever that might be.
First on the job front today is to go food shopping, the cupboards aren't bare but I need fresh products to accompany a rather large joint of beef I intend to cook later.  After being in M & S on New Years Eve I couldn't face shopping for food, plus by the time I finished there was very little left.

Today I wanted to share with you some of my other favourite projects from the year that are not cards.  I have just a couple for you.


Teachers canvasses.
 

Photo frame.
 

Gift box.
 
I do hope you had a great New Year and may 2013 bring you health, wealth and happiness.  x

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

2013....what will you bring? How about my favourite cards of 2012!

Happy New Year officially today!
Mmm do you have a sore head today? 
Are you lucky and you've had a long lie in?
With the pup I guess one of us will be up and about very early but I can very much see a lazy day ahead with tea out at a good friends later.
Whilst I'm chilling with the family I thought I'd share my favourite cards from 2012. 

 
A bit of inking and stamping.
 
 
An 8" card with lots of Spellbinding fun! 
Oh my how bright!



 
Some Sugar from the Sugar bowl challenges with Sugar Nellie stamps.
 
I'd love to see your favourite cards of last year, if you'd like to share leave me a link.  You can catch up with other fine crafters favourite 5 with the lovely Debby here.
 
What will 2013 bring...new trends...new dies and stamps...can't wait to play.  Happy crafting to you all. 
 
Thanks again for all the support and all the very best for the New Year.  x