More candy for you today from Quixotic Paperie a Mystery gift.....interesting....here
The condition is to show my favourite handmade card from last year.....argh I've shown that below for another blog giveaway so another one I really like is this one:

Basic grey yummy papers!

Good luck if you also decide to enter.....fingers crossed.

Craft stamper have a giveaway today here but better be quick as it closes at midnight tonight.

Fancy your chances get on over soon, good luck!

More candy for you, thanks Kirsti for the link.

This is Jolly by Golly RAK from Tracie over on Life and times of a 12 x 12 addict

but better be quick because the closing date is the 31st...good luck and fingers crossed!

So what are you upto over the holidays?  Fancy a blog hop with lots of prizes on route?  How about this one over on http://thestampmanuk.blogspot.com/ its open till the 3rd of January...so happy hopping!
The other condition of the blog hop was to give yourself an award for your favourite work of 2009...this was my card entry to the local village gala back in May...we live by the beach and so a beach theme seemed a natural choice of card....the stash was found lurking in my craft room and the stamp was from Stamps Happen.  I was really chuffed to also gain a 2nd place in the competition...the icing on the cake so to speak!

This card was for another close friend also called Gill, it was her birthday on Christmas Eve, which must be an awful time to have a birthday as it tends to get eaten up with all the usual festive goings on getting ready for Santa to arrive...especially when children are involved...hoping to get out in the New Year maybe for lunch instead and be "ladies wot lunch"!

The stamp is from Sugar Nellie and it is Wish by Leanne Ellis and the greeting is from SU, the papers Bo Bunny back to back Beau Jardin Wine and Wine dots, finally where would we be without prima flowers?  LOST!

Gill was the pal who I spent my tattie holidays with so it only seems right that her gift was a mini book reminder.

As you can see I've used a papermania clear album...and for the papers I picked Crate Seaweed collection basically because I felt the colours went well with the outdoor theme of Center Parc's.

I haven't posted the whole book but I think she liked it!

Big up for my neighbour Gill who can just be seen in yellow and pink...jumping into Burghead harbour on Boxing day for charity.  I was cold watching and I had at least 3 layers on.

Must be mad!!  Maximum respect as it was super icy...just on the ground so I dread to think how cold the sea was.

 

Before I leave you today....who didn't have snow over the festive season?

This is for you.

The boys made him a couple of days before Christmas...it was actually finished

by four in the afternoon even though it looks like night time...at this time of year in not so sunny North of Scotland it gets dark early..but the added advantage in the summer is that is stays light till after eleven at night. 
Today it is forcast to be -16 degrees in Inverness, brrrrr, best wrap up warm.  Still over here on the Moray coast the sun is out and the sky is blue....but the air is FRESH, lol!

So did you all have a great Christmas?

What was your favourite part?

We still have family on my husbands side staying with us but it has been an interesting time as usually we spend it down with my family.  I must admit it was lovely to stay at home and HE, the big man, came!

I was lucky to get a laptop as my present...and have been enjoying wandering around blogland catching up with other folk's blogs....this machine is old and sometimes takes soooo long that I don't "hop" often...changes a foot, lol.

So what was your favourite gift or moment at Christmas? 

I'd love to know.

This was a gift I have made for my friend Karen who always likes something handmade for Christmas...A wall hanging using the Bo-bunny Tis the season range and acetate mini book from papermania...Now I haven't mat and layered for her Christmas photos like I would normally because I think the papers are so fabby, it would be a shame not to see them...I will leave the final decorating to her.

I have used stamps from papermania,  and SU with white stazon and diamontes in the snowflakes, rub ons, bells and ribbons are from my craft room stash!

My favourite embelishment are the clear acetate stars from Papercraft Boutique in Elgin, which I've stamped and embelished.  When I bought them...because I thought....ooooooo...I'll do something with them...I wasn't sure what but...will now be going back for more to play with!

Merry Christmas to all my friends and fella bloggers...hope Santa has been good to you this year...got more crafty things to show you but will leave you full of festive cheer just now....ENJOY!! 
Or is it me that is full of festive cheer, hick!!  LOL!

This is my card for Mrs Sugar Nellie, Karen and family.

I've used SN stamp "snow cozy" together with my Kay and Co papers peppermint twist...again...but I do love the papers.  The snowflake has come all the way from China.

I think this stamp is loovely especially given the present climate...snow, snow and more snow!

Very Christmassie!

This is the card I've made for my parents...it shows us getting and decorating this years Christmas tree as we won't be seeing them over the festive season.

The design is from Creative Imaginations...Jenn Mason's Parts and Parcels...Mini flip-flop folio kit.  I picked it up in the states during my craft break but it was white so I used it as a template for Christmas red card...I have also used K & Co Peppermint twist pack.

This should have been my Aberdeen crop card entry earlier in the month but I just didn't get around to making it.  I do think I'll be making it again soon...but beware you will pay extra postage!! 

Tomorrow it is my little brothers birthday.

Have a good one, you!  xxx

He is an architect and likes nothing more than a minimal card...so that is what he has got.

It is quite a challenge to move away from a "crafters card" and keep it as simple as possible.

I found the metal frame in my stash and the pic is of him...many years ago!

Let's hope he likes........

This was my card for my Aberdeen Christmas crop entry.

I love this "Baubles" stamp from Sugar Nellies and thought the "Fruitcake" papers from Basic Grey matched the bauble theme.  The embelishments were again found lurking in my craft room!

This card is going to my holiday buddy Marlene...

4....3....2....1...go baby go baby go......!

Wishing you all the best for Christmas and have a fab holiday.

xxx

Arh....on to teachers presents...this year I've made mini binder note books...thanks Sharon for the idea.

I have used the DCWV Grade school papers and a few embelishments I found around my craft room.  The pens are from tesco and have monster eyes on them....I thought appropriate!

I bagged them up fancy with a chocolate Santa....lets hope they like.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I've been a bad crafter this year and only made a handful of cards...the boys have made some through the school to raise funds and shock horror....I've bought the rest, bar humbug!

Why is it you know all year that Christmas comes after November but every year I seem to get further behind?!  Is it me or do you find that too?

This card is made with Kay and Co peppermint twist pack...I love the colours, my favourite being the aqua/peppermint blue/green but also love the bright green and red....it just wouldn't be Christmas without!

The stamp is Miss Clause, from Sugar Nellie and the word stamp is Magnolia "Santa is coming".  This is the challenge over on the Sugar Bowl, link below....and the prize....12 Sugar Nellie stamps....competition open till 30th December...so plenty of time to play.

I have made the card to send to Gayle my shopping bud from CHA....thinking of you and hope you have a great time over Christmas. xxx

Another quick card for you...this one was for one of my mum's Harley Davidson friends...hence the pig "HOG".

I have used Harley papers and cuttlebug pig die.

Kirsti I'm on a roll!!! 

This was a quick card I made this morning, I would have liked to spend more time on it and followed Marlene's sketch over on the Sugarbowl but time was against me....don't work well early!

The stamp is from funky kits Drum kit by Mary Hall and the paper is Voltage, static collection from Crate Paper.

On to the card..I made this for Shaun, one of my eldest boy's best friends who is unfortuately in hospital just now with swine flu.  He is a keen musician and you've guessed it, he plays the drums.  Shaun calls for my son every morning to walk to school and we miss him....we've been late every morning this week!

Get well soon Shaun, we're all thinking of you.  xxx

Hopefully my son will remember to get all his class mates to sign it today so it can be sent to him.

Ho, ho, ho......it's December, when did that happen?

Keeping it simple this year and enjoying using my SU stash.  Not my usual Christmas green but I'm loving SU's Old Olive ink and papers... oh and the tree stamp from the Seasons of Joy stamp range.  The ribbon I think I picked up in the states and the metal Christmas tree was in my stash.

So what did you get in your Advent calendar today.......?

Chocolate yum...the only time of the year that you allow the kids it before breakfast!

It all starts now...the festive fun, the decorating of the house...I like it when everything is done and sorted and you can sit back and relax...so that will be 11p.m. on Christmas Eve then!! 

Enjoy and happy Christmas crafting.

Finally I've put the finishing touches to my wreath class.

I really enjoyed making it and am looking forwards to putting it up next month...as for making more, I did buy a further 6 wreaths off Dawn to crack on with....but have never got there this year, yet!

I used old music paper and The Figgy pudding range from Basic Grey, the poinsettia I made from leaves on my cricuit and the beads are from an old necklace that broke....I knew they'd come in eventually!

Thanks very much for a great class Fiona and fabulous instructions.

I have added the inserts of a couple of pages.  Let's just hope my Aunt likes it!

Whoops I haven't blogged for a while but here I am eventually getting around to posting something.  This is a mini album I have created for my Aunty who got all the family together over Easter this year...as we are all dotted around the country, no mean feet!
We had a lovely day and all the next generation got to meet. 
Hopefully this will be a small reminder to her of such a fantastic couple of days.
I have used a More than words template and the papers are the Mayflower range by Rusty Pickle.

This card I made for my Aunt whose birthday was whilst on holiday.
The papers are Basic Grey and the stamp is from Funky Kits...it is a charity stamp...with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer, you know you want one!

Looking forwards to getting back into craft mode after holidaying with family and friends over the tattie holidays...back to school and work tomorrow so normal business will resume, whatever that is!

Happy Birthday Marlene
Have a fantastic day!

Another birthday in our family next week.
This card is for my dad...staying with a Harley D theme (for a change!)
I have used Harley papers and embellishments, SU pumpkin papers & buttons. The DAD is from the Mini More than words template cut out with black shrink plastic and stamped with HD stamps.
Dad have a great birthday next week.

Monday morning and it's October, yay...it's bright sunshine outside but the air is crisp, wake up up sort of weather, I love it.

Today's card is doubling up as a birthday card for a special friend who inspires me daily with her wonderful blog and art work....have a great birthday later this week. (Hope she doesn't peep on here till later this week!)

It is also for Gayle's sketch over on the SN Sugarbowl, linked below.

I have used the SN Goth girl, WR Memory keepers Nonsense Silly Sally papers, MR ribbon, punches for flowers, copics and various metal embellishments.

Thanks for the fab challenge Gayle.

Why is it when you make cards for folk you always end up either late or last minute making your own for family?
Or is it just me?!*
This card is for my cousins little boy JJ, sorry it's late but guess at "ONE" I have the luxury that you won't remember!
I have used the Basic grey range "Archaic".
The chipboard shape and matching brads made for a quick card. I love this range especially with boys who like dinosaurs.

Karen I've finally used it, thank you. xx

Now tomorrow it is my parents Wedding Anniversary and those of you who know me know that
my parents are Harley Bikers...and very cool Grandparents!
So that said I've used Harley colours of Black and Orange and a biker theme for a change. I got the stamp (fire and shield) from the states (Heidi Swapp), the papers are Basic Grey.

Have a great day guys!

Where is September going? Sorry I've not been blogging much but guess I must work to fund my crafting obsession, LOL!
Just incase any of you guys don't visit my pals blog, Marlene, I thought I'd put a note on here.
She is part of a group running a blog hop this week with lots of yummy stash up for grabs...it starts here http://cardsmadebyclaudia.blogspot.com/ and finishes this Saturday the 26th. Hop, hop, hop, hop......my ears are growing and my nose is twitching...great cards to see too.

I must also send a mention out to the Rusty Pickle gang, Beckie and Sarah in particular who also had a fab blog hop this weekend just gone, sorry it didn't get an earlier mention guys but your work was stunning and the stash RAK were yummy too, hope you had lots of visitors.

So guys this is my first card made with my copic's. I love working with them but I think I'm going to need more practise.

The stamp is from High Hopes, Bethany Angel and was a gift from my pal Pam on my birthday...thanks Pam...I've used it now! The papers are from Deja View "Blue raspberry" as is the flower.

The card is going out to my crafting pal Gayle, hope you are feeling better soon. Big hugs.

Oh and Pam...I spoke to you today and you're not feeling well either....hope you feel better soon and it goes without saying big hugs to you also.

Before I get back into my crafting mode I wanted just to share two beautiful cards I received recently from Gayle and Marlene. Thank you very much guys for the fabulous cards and gifts, you both are very generous and I'm so glad to have recently met you, (Gush gush!! LOL)

Is that rrong?!

Gayle I hope you are feeling better.

Marlene I hope the kids get back into the school rountine without too much hassle.

Oh and I nearly forgot....I love my copic markers...don't quite have the hang of them yet (understatement) but I'm loving them in the hope that I will!!!

Guess I'm just set in my ways with my Prisma pencils!

Well ladies...the time has come and I'm afraid I've a confession to make.....I was so impressed with all your answers to my question I have struggled to pick a winner, you are all so good, I wish I could send everyone something. xxx
I've used tin, waiting of course to be altered, and entered everyone's names.....so without further waffling.....drums rolling.....wine glass up at the ready!


The winner is CarolJenks.


Congratulations Carol...I have e-mailed you via your blog for your info.
Thank you everyone else taking the time to enter and happy crafting to you all!!!

Hi guys, thanks to everyone for entering my stash giveaway and leaving great comments...I'm out for the day visiting family...so I will announce the winner later this evening, over a wee glass of vino to celebrate...last chance to leave a comment...keep fingers crossed etc...catch you later!!

It must be catching....Beckie is also giving some stash away on her blog...and very yummy it is too.http://beckiedreyer.blogspot.com/2009/08/blogoversary-today.html
Good luck on both fronts guys!!

So who wants some free stash?

The only requirements for a chance to win is to post me a link from your blog and leave me a comment.....

"If I was a craft item I would be a........."!!!!(and why)

The funnier the better.

Good luck everyone and I will be announcing a winner on Saturday 29th August...

Giveaway includes: Zva creations pink bag, Be Creative Anthology Kit, 100+ Scrapbooking kit, MM journalling stickers, Heidi Swap jeweled brads, bling and stickers, KI Memories ribbons, Glimmer mist, Nostalgia colorcore cardstock strips, chipboard flower book, Kaiserscrapbooking pearls, Dress it up buttons, charms, metal words, more buttons, Jo Anns Scrap Essential woven words and pewter celebrations plus a small selection of Eyelet outlet brads.

As a big thank you for reading my CHA ramblings I shall be posting my stash giveaway tomorrow so don't forget to watch this space.........

Here's a few samples from the Prima stand...oooh they've got some lovely new flower ranges...and us girlies do love our flowers on LO's, even beach ones! (But that would start a whole other argument so we won't go there.)

Busy yesterday with the Aberdeen crop on Saturday, nice to see all you guys. Thanks for the yummy cake and cookies. A special thank you to Emma for my little buttons that you made me..I will make good use of them.
Was hoping to finish a mini book that I'm making for my Aunt but spent too much time faffing and eating cake...but ain't that what crops are all about, oh and chatting!!

Again today sticking with Pink Paislee.

The bell tree I love the rustic charm of but the little snowmen are so cute...but I still think they should have had fuller bellies!! LOL.

What about Santa? Such a jolly fella.

More layouts from Pink Paislee for you.

More Pink Paislee....this Halloween hat is just fab.

I'm also partial to the odd skull and crossbones, is that because I've got boys?!

As for the Scarecrow I too thought he was cute even though over here we do not seem to celebrate "harvest time" quite the same as they appear to in the States.

On to Twilight!! This was taken for all you Twilight fans out there...you know who you are!

Edward where are you...lol!

This was the Pink Paislee stand...especially for Dawn and some more Halloween. This stand had a lovely feel to it and the Christmas which I will show you tomorrow was equally as yummy.

Now onto today's round up.....getting board yet?

I think these beauties were on the Kaiser stand, don't you just love the way they've done the roof on the house on the right? If you can't see it the card is rolled into a tube the cut into small sections.

This stand had some lovely finished items.

I also enjoyed doing their make and take which was a little chipboard book.

Marlene would say Kaiser were probably the most generous with their make and take...!

Now onto the Spellbinders...the new shapes are great for card makers, reminds me of the "dolies" that would be brought out to decorate the plates, as a kid! (You knew a special event was occurring if mum or gran got out the dolies!)

I like the new nestability shapes for Christmas which include a tree and my favourite a poinsettia.

But most of all I loved the jewelry made from shrink plastic, Elaine I thought of you at this point!!

And finally for today, another beautiful wreath. Now I must firstly appologise for not remembering which stand this was at...I'm sure someone will recognise the papers and let me know.

There was just soooooo much to see!

This is another to the "must have a go pile!"