Birthday treat

Today my good friend Karen is taking me for a birthday treat to an Aberdeen workshop organised by Debbi, Kath and Anne but more about that later.

A girlie trip out crafting at the weekend what more could a girl ask for!

Yippee!

Whilst I'm off having fun I thought I'd share a couple more samples with you...these are more recent but changed a wee bit.

I love layering up my Spellbinder Nestabilities with simple card stock....for this card I have used:

Colorbok Nocturne pearlescent card.

Spellbinder nestabilities oval, Fleur de lis square, Shapeabilities Fancy tag three and Parisian accents.

Pearls from Zva Creative and stamp from Hero Arts Finding joy, black seem binding from stash.

For this card I have used:

American craft textured white card plus Idea-ology Vintage shabby.

Spellbinder nestabilities square and Fleur de lis square.

Also from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology range fragments.

Stamp by Andy Skinner Gothic range.

Bling from Zva Creative.

I love the simplicity of this card first cutting out the square with the nestie then just embossing straight on to the card with the Fleur de lis die. 

Also the fragments are great fun to play with, cover with paper, stamp on, ink...

Oh the possibilities!

I hope you are all having a fun filled weekend whatever you are up to...more from me next week.

x

Red hot!

Guess who I went to see last night?
Fantastic night out but a shame it was to say good bye!
But what a way to go!!



Red Hot Chilli Pipers Smoke On The Water and Thunderstruck

Samples squeak!



Meet Alexander "squeak" caught up with him and his family at the weekend!
He wasn't very chatty!

On to crafting items,

recently I was asked by boss at PI to provide her with some samples of work for when she visits clients. 

So here are a few re-runs of cards I enjoyed making from recent demonstrations, some of which have been altered slightly.....just because I can!  LOL.

For this card I have used Tim Holtz Ideal-ology Vintage shabby papers and Ornate plates plus brown American craft textured card. 

I have used a range of Martha Stewart punches; Deep edge Garden gate, deep edge Cherry blossom trim, PATP French scroll and Dollie lace.

Also Spellbinder Nestabilities Lacey circles, finished with Distress ink Walnut stain.

I love the layered luck of this card and have just attached the papers at the top so they all swing freely.

On to my next card:

This was an easel card made using Martha Stewart punch Vintage lace...I had to adjust the size to make the PATP work so the card is a 5" square and I also wanted the lace around the card not to be compromised by joining them together so I have a thinner than normal strip joining the two part together.

The stamps are from Hero Arts Anytime messages and Silhouette flower, bling from Zva Creative.

This is such a quick and simple card to make but looks effective...it certainly was a hit with the ladies in Aberdeen as the stamp sold out on the day.

Time for a challenge!

Yesterday it was my youngest man's birthday and also my neighbours girls too.

So as I had two birthday cards to make I thought I'd check out a couple of challenges.

The first was for my neighbours girl who likes rock climbing...you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find an image of a rock climber!!

Anyway I finally found this:

Firstly I'd like to say a big thank you to Cathy for the lovely MME Penny lane papers, lace and pearls from our recent RAK over on the Sugar Nellie facebook page.  Aren't they just yummy? 

The image is from Bugaboo digital images and is aptly named "Rock climbing".

The sketch is from Card Positioning Systems for this week, many thanks guys for a great sketch. x

My sentiment stamps are from PI mix and match and the image was coloured with copic markers.

On to my next card:

For this card I have entered two challenges...so not like me!!

The first is over on Lili of the Valley and the theme this week is Summer, I love this image named "By the river".  It is so apt with my boys enjoying fishing with their dad....only when the fish are biting mind you!

The sentiment is also from LOTV too. 

String and embellishments from my stash and again coloured with my copics.

The papers I may need your help with as I've been a good girl and used up some scraps!!! 

Again not like me....maybe I'm sickening from something. 

I thought they worked well together!

The sketch is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp blog and is by Donna, thanks for a fun sketch. x

For both cards I have used my Spellbinder nesties round, round scalloped and ovals.

That is what I got up to yesterday in-between baking a chocolate birthday cake and covering it in smarties and loads of chocolate icing!

Plus I had to test it!!  The cake, icing and smarties, LOL.

More cards to make now and a man mountain of ironing....boo, so better crack on, happy crafting to you all.   :)

Time out!

Enjoying time out with the family just now.

Having fun with my boys....

more cards and crafts for you next week.

Whatever you are up to enjoy the weekend.

As Arnie would say...."I'll be back!"

Sugar Bowl challenge 60

It's that time again...where does it go?

This challenge has come from the lovely Maria Theresa with the theme birthday.

Here is my card:

And the sketch:



Mine is just a wee bit different and I have used one of the recent digital images called "Nathan" from the Sugar Nellie range. 

I just had to use him, not only does he look like my boy at an early age but he also has the same name, spooky!!

I love colouring these digi images as life is made very easy following the shading on the design,

I have used my copics to colour but have added some detail with my prisma pencils too.

The papers are from Basic Grey 6" Basic craft paper pad, distressed with my Tim Holtz distress tool and Tea dye ink. 

I have also used my Martha Stewart punch Scalloped dots, thread from True hemp, SU small tag punch and matching stamps, pearls from Zva Creative and charm from my stash.

Now the theme, argh, well, we can't all be perfect.....this card could be used for a birthday....I just wanted to send my boy a card to tell him how proud I was after reading his school report I received last week...

do you forgive me? 

I'd already had started on this card for the challenge and as what normally happens, ideas change on route....

Now on to the important matter of prizes....this time around you will have your choice of six pick and mix stamps from the Sugar Nellie ranges...but what am I going to say next?

"You've got to be in it to win it!"

Thanks Maria for a lovely sketch and if you are joining in with the challenge

"GOOD LUCK and HAPPY CRAFTING!"

For brothers!

Today I needed, amongst other things, to make a card for my big boy to give to his little bro soon.

Both boys love their X-box 360 so when I saw this stamp over on Lili of the Valley I just had to have it.

I have used papers from Flair design Brothers and Dream Street Papers Clubhouse Camo.

As I mentioned the stamp is Lili of the Valley and the ribbons are from Ribbon Girl seam binding in sea moss and blue loopy trim.

I have coloured with copics and eyelets from stash.

I have entered this into this weeks challenge over on the Lili of the Valley challenge blog, the challenge being "ribbons and bows" as Ribbon Girl are sponsoring the prize.

I have also entered into the challenge over on CPS-Card Sketches, using of course their sketch for this week.

I had fun with this sketch and stamp so thanks to everyone on the CPS and Lili blogs for the inspiration.

 

Cropping good fun!

As I mentioned in yesterdays post I had set a LO challenge at the Sunday crop. 

Not to miss out on a challenge I thought I'd have a wee go, scrap booking is something I wish I did more of but I always seem to be playing catch up with other projects.

This was the sketch:

And this is my attempt:

The sketch is from Pagemaps.

I have used Papermania Craft Basic card plus red and black, Tim Holtz Gear embossing folder and dies, Adage and Journalling tickets and Vintage photo distress ink.

SU punch and rickrack from stash.

The photo is of my youngest having a go at making up his first bike....tongue out, concentrating like mad!



Elegant R Us!

I'd like to say a big thank you to all the ladies who came to my card classes in Elgin at Papercraft's Boutique on Saturday. 
I had a lovely time and although we ran over a little in the morning, with a little adjustment the afternoon went swimmingly!!

This is what we created:

For the first card we used card from Colorbok Nocturne pearlescent, Spellbinder Nestabilities square and Fleur de lis to emboss, Tim Holtz fragments and paper, Hero art stamp Happy definition and black seam binding from stash.

The second card I have used black and white American craft textured card, Acetate, Martha Stewart punch Deep edge flower bed, Hero art stamps Anytime messages, bling by Zva creative and ribbon from stash.

The final card is also using the Colorbok papers with Spellbinder Nestabilities round, Shapeabilities Fancy tag Three and Parisian Motifs, Hero art stamp Anytime messages, pearls from Zva Creative and again ribbon from my stash.

I'd also like to say a big thanks you to Carol for the lovely crochet flowers that she brought in for me,

watch this space as they'll be appearing on a card in due course!

On Sunday we had our local crop and a big thanks goes out to all the lovely ladies we squeezed in!!!

We had a "very friendly" crop!

And lots of CAKE!!

Thanks Jo for also bringing in home bakes.

I had set a scrapbook page challenge from the wonderful Pagemaps site and most had a go including those who don't normally scrapbook. 

All were lovely but there could only be one winner,

it was a very close run vote with only 2 votes between 1st, 2nd and 3rd......,

and the winner was Sharon. 

Hopefully she will post it on her blog so you can all check it out!

Thanks also go out to Gill for providing an added bonus to the prize I'd already organised.

 

I also played with the sketch during the crop but I need to add my title tonight..all going well I'll post it tomorrow.

That's all for me today after a very crafting weekend I best catch up with some work.

Icky!

No crafting for me today I've got a little boy off school feeling unwell.

The joys!

I'd make a really bad nurse, LOL.

I'm more a "let me die in peace" or "pull yourself together" type of person.

Anyway I've got a little parrot on my shoulder in full voice with "mummy, mummy, mummy!"

It's going to be a long day.

I'm away to try and be a good nurse!  HELP!

Elegant black and white!

I promised after the weekend to give you a sneaky peak of my next up coming class again in Elgin this Saturday the 14th of May.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, if you want more information regarding upcoming classes contact Kate at

Papercraft's Boutique 01343 548864.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon growling at the computer as I tried to set up a personal watermark for my cards. 

I so wish I could find my way around Photoshop better, anyone else find it none user friendly?

There has been a few issues over the last couple of weeks regarding other blog friends art work being used and sold as inspiration by a third party.

We all love to share ideas in the craft world and it's such a shame that a person can spoil it for others.

If you have any advice on watermarking please leave me a comment and I will get back to you via your blog, many thanks and have a great day.

Elgin's big craft day!

Morning crafter's! 

I so want to say "hi de hi" after that, LOL.

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who came to Elgin yesterday, I had a great day with like minded crafters.

In particular I would like to thank all the ladies who travelled so far...we had lovely ladies all the way from Peterhead and Inverness to name a couple of places. 

Us crafters do like to travel for special occasions!!

The lovely Kath was demonstrating using lots of lush new products and had stunning cards, tins, charms and wonderful configurations boxes, plus new stamps not yet released by the House of Sugar! 

Nip on over to her blog this week as I'm sure she'll be sharing her creations.

Very yummy indeed.

As I mentioned in earlier posts I was playing with Hero Art stamps and My Mind's eye papers. 

Both classes were full to the brim and everyone worked so hard that we finished on time...which if you know me, it is very unusual! 

We even managed a bit of banter and fun in the mix.

So here is what we got up to:



For the above cards we used:

Hero Art stamp sets:  Happy definition, Layered flowers, Whimsical house and Find joy.

Papers from My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose.

Ranger Glossy accents and Distress ink Tea dye.

Martha Stewart deep edge punch Blossom eyelet.

That's all from me for today. 

I bought some new stash yesterday at the shop and had a lovely parcel sat waiting at home from Walzing Mouse Stamps too.  I so want to play but really must tackle my ironing man mountain first, boo, hiss!

The sooner it is done the sooner I can play!

Enjoy your Sunday, whatever you are up to.

Sneaky peak!

So tomorrow I am in Elgin playing with Hero Art stamps and My Minds Eye...fancy a sneaky peak?

Here goes then:

Unfortunately the classes are all fully booked, but I still like to keep the reveal to those coming out to play!

I will show you them in full next week.

Next Saturday the 14th I will be running more classes in Elgin which there is still space, I will give you a sneaky peak later. 

If you want more information regarding upcoming classes contact Kate at

Papercraft's Boutique 01343 548864.



Sugar bowl challenge 59

And it's my turn to do the sketch with the theme distress or vintage...or maybe a bit of both!

And my take:

For my card I have used Sugar Nellie digi image Melissa, isn't she cute.

I have also used papers from K & Company Classic K Bailey, Spellbinder nestabilities label 8 and Lacey circles plus shapeabilites Parisian accents.  The outer edge of a doily from Wilton Enterprises, ribbon, star dust stickles and pearls from stash.  The stamp is Hero arts Anytime messages and I have used my distress tool and Ranger distress ink tea dye.

Finally the image was coloured using my copic pens.

I so love colouring these digi images because the shading and tone really makes life easy....and sometimes it's just nice to take it easy!!

As for the prize well I have to admit I'd love this one big time.....drum roll.....

it's a goodie bag full of steampunk loveliness.....someone is going to get some fabulous yummy new products.....look I've even gone green just thinking about it.

Finally, what do I always end my post with at Sugar bowl day....

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

Enjoy and I hope you have fun with the sketch and theme.

Less is More

Gosh two posts in one day....she's on a roll! 

Not really.

That's my classes for the weekend sorted and classes for next weekend too, again in Elgin.

I did mention a roll!

My wee man decided to craft so I thought I'd have a quick go at the Less is More blog for this week.

The challenge to do either a Thank you or congratulations card.

Here's mine:

I have used grey pearlescent card, Spellbinder nestabilities Big scalloped circles, flower from stash, flower centre from Prima, swirls from sizzix (flowers and vines), cuttlebug dot embossing folder and Hero arts Finding Joy sentiments.

One for my box.

  

What's on your work desk Wednesday!

Me thinks for me a tidy up is WOYWW!!

Notice just how much of my desk you are seeing, LOL.

I only tidied it a couple of weeks ago and well, basically I can't be creative with a tidy desk.  ;)

That's my excuse anyway.

This is a quick preview of what I will be using in a couple of classes this weekend. 

The new scrummy papers from My Mind's eye "Stella Rose", my favourite MS punch at the moment Blossom eyelet, and a yummy array of Hero art stamps....can't wait!

Morning!

Today I shall be mostly be working on my cards for the weekend coming.

On Saturday I shall be making cards with some lovely ladies in Elgin using the new beautiful papers from My Minds Eye and Hero art stamps. 

"Time to play!"

The wonderful Kath is also at Papercraft's Boutique on Saturday demonstrating.

It should be a good crafty day.

In Scotland we have another gorgeous day today which on one hand is great,

I'm not complaining about the sunshine but I have loads of crafting and ironing to do and hate to miss out.  :( 

Maybe I just need to crack on and I will get out later....I feel a bike ride coming on!

Sweet like candy!

Morning all!

I did say "I'd be back!"

Today I would like to mention a friends blog Debbi she has a whole array of blog candy to give away, head on over and enter...including this super packet of Promarkers. 

Why, it would be rude not to!  LOL.

Hoping to get some crafting in again later today but have shopping and ironing on the cards too, boo!

The weather is far to nice to stay in....so I'll have to try and combine a bit of everything.

Enjoy your bank holiday Monday. x

White Rabbits!

It's May my favourite month of the year.

Time again for my 365 day calender and today I've got a confession.....I'm late posting cause I've been busy doing May today. 

In my defence I did start it at my recent crop but it wasn't working how I wanted so I have reverted back to my first idea.

I photographed this quite late in the day, hopefully the lighting won't reflect that. 
You can see other calenders via Kathryn's blog.

Here is mine:

I have used:

Ranger distress inks peeled paint and stormy sky.

Spellbinder deckled edge rectangles.

PaperArtsy stamps.  Flower stamp by SU.

Cricut for lettering and letraset.

Flowers by Prima.

Bling by Zva creative.

Reg and white acrylic paints.

I did wonder whether I should add the ribbon over my rectangles or to leave it behind....mmm...decisions, decisions!

Ran out of time for today but it may get altered later in the month.

I wanted May to have a spring like feel but also wanted to include a Maypole which to me symbolises this time of year even though it isn't practised up here in Scotland. 

We have had a really great run of beautiful sunny weather over the last week which gives hope that the better weather is on route.  Yaah!

Plus of course it is my birthday month so guess you could say I'm biased, LOL.

And a wee lookie at last months all completed:

Not as much rain as I thought last month, if you believe the superstitions that means it doesn't bode well for the summer.

Let's wait and see!

Hopefully it won't be the case and we will get a good summer too.

Anyway I'm away for a nightcap, have a good Bank holiday tomorrow, back soon.