Do you take shortcuts?

Do you find that you are really bad at sending cards especially on time when you make them?
Or is it just me?
Talk about a bus man's holiday!
If you are like me and get caught last minute to you cheat a wee bit?

Confessions of a crafter!!

Today it is my wee nephew's birthday and I remembered Saturday just after last post for Monday.  After a conversation with my brother it seems my wee nephew is very keen on dinosaurs just now.  My brother and I do have an arrangement that we buy an extra present for our kids from each other that way they get something that is needed or wanted.  However the guilt of not sending his card yet sent me onto the net yesterday looking for a wee something to send....I came up with a walking helium filled dinosaur balloon which will arrive in a huge box for him to open tomorrow. 
What two year old isn't happen with a large balloon and a big box?

Now my brother loves minimum cards so this morning I set to work on my "cheat" card and here it is;

The dinosaur is from PC Hugware and I have decoupaged it myself adding google eyes and Glossy accents.  The two was created on my Cricut machine and the lettering on the computer.  Less is definitely the case on this card, but I'm guessing he will be more interested in the box and balloon, if my boys are anything to go on at that age.
I bet all you crafters out there are much better organised than me....in my defence I do always seem to have other work on, honest.

I also wanted to send my eldest boy a wee food parcel at school so always like to pop a note in too.
Again as I am needing to be elsewhere today it has been another quick card using PC Hugware......shock horror!!

He loves all animals and at the moment is showing a real interest in reptiles so I thought this Gecko would be ideal, again I've just added a 3d element and Glossy accents.

So ladies and gentlemen my confession is official.....runs off to my craft room to hang my head in shame!  LOL.
I'd love to hear how you cheat when you're short of time........please don't tell me I'm the only one!

New class.

Today I have mostly been playing getting ready for my next class in February at the Papercraft's Boutique in Elgin, samples will be in the shop from next week if anyone local is interested.
Unfortunately if you are not "local" I will be listed them on my blog later next month....
the shop gets first dibs!

I will have a word and see if I can do a sneaky peak.......if you are interested?

Mmmmmm what have I been playing with....big clue if you look back over the last few posts you will get an idea.

Anyway that's all from me today I'll be back with something to show you shortly.

Happy crafting!

Sugar bowl 76

Sugar arh, honey, honey....it's that time again and today is the turn of the wonderful Gayle to set the sketch for the Sugar Bowl.  The challenge this time is paper piecing. 
Here is my take on the sketch;

And the sketch;

As you can see I have rotated the sketch through 90 degrees and added the wee cutie Delia from over at Sugar Nellie. 
The papers are Memory box gossamer, Martha Stewart punch Scalloped dots, ribbons and embellishments from my stash.
Delia is coloured with Prisma pencils, paper from Memory box, Stickles glitter, Glossy accents and Distress stain Vintage photo.
Unfortunately the picture was taking on a dark day...we seem to be having a lot of them just now...maybe 'cause it's Winter! 
Roll on Spring.

And the prize..............
Up for grabs are 4 of your choice Sugar Nellie stamps jumping up to 6 if there are more than 100 entries.....top tip if you have chance you can enter more than once!  LOL.  Just remember to use a Sugar Nellie stamp to qualify for a chance to win.
That's all from me today, happy crafting and as Arnie would say "I'll be back."

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday 138

Another week and another Wednesday, what time is it?
What's on your work desk?
Today I've just added some final charms to my Tim Holtz bag.  I decided to personalise it a wee tad more.  First my choice of Tim's four new bags;

Now I found these fab flowers in Dotty P's in the sale.  Bargain!  I thought it would work fab with my bag.

I then decided to add a few charms to make it relevant to me.

I have made an angel, added chain with scissors and a sewing machine together with lots of little number charms to go with the theme of the bag. 
My personalised District Market bag complete.



Why not pop over to Julia's blog and see what everyone else is up to today on their crafty space.  As for my desk....mmmm....lots of new goodies from Personal Impressions in preparation for my first demo this year, do you want a wee look?

How lucky am I that I get paid to play with all these lovely yummy new products, every time a parcel arrives I have to pinch myself.  So what am I going to be doing? 
I'm going to try out some different stamping techniques but I will show you next month what I come up with. 
That is all from me today, I'm afraid to say I'm away to tackle my ironing mountain before having a play with the above...I will be back later to check out your desks and see what you are up to.
Have a great "hump" day (middle of the week)....just in case you thought I meant something different, LOL.

I'm late!

Today I am sharing what I like to call a belated "Happy New Year" card or what should have been a Christmas card. 
You'd think someone who made cards and has in the past worked in a Post Office would be aware that
a.  Christmas is coming! 
and
b.  That foreign dates are well before UK ones.
I am aware of both, honest, but every year I get caught out with this.
In my defence a new address was required for this card which I would not get till Christmas and I couldn't reciprocate until then.
This year I decided not to worry and just to make a nice card in the New Year with maybe a slight Christmas theme.  Here it is;

All the stamps are from Waltzing Mouse, I love their range especial those designed to work with the Spellbinder dies.

I have kept it simple with a brown and cream theme....not too Christmassie but added a wee bit of stickles glitter and Vintage photo distress ink then finished with clear seed beads.

Another less is more card for you....

You can see the glitter better in this picture although it does look a little yellow it is in fact clear.
Anyway this card is winging it's way to New Zealand tomorrow....not far to go!

What do you think of my new blog background?
I had a few issues today with my previous one so decided to go for a whole new look.  I do wish I was more computer literate.   You would not believe how long it took me to change it....let's just say it is embarrassing! 
More from me tomorrow for WOYWW!!

New beginnings.

I'm back a little later than planned but I had my housework head on this morning and as it is a rare occasion I took full advantage of it.
Today I wanted to show you one of the cards I made at the crop.  This is a straight forward card with just a little colour, matting and layering.  Less is more!  Or so folk say.  I have to admit that I seem to be going through this phase at the moment...I think I'm liking the unfussy look. 
I still love all the layered cards that are about in blog-land.  I'm just a typical Gemini....
I like this way...
I like that...but which is best? 
Fight!  (As my boys would say, guess what program they love to watch?!)

This little digi image is available at Funkykits and I adore it.  It has to be my favourite baby image just now.  It has been coloured using copic markers and just layered onto blue card stock.  Simples squeak!
Bambino (the name of the stamp) is just too cute for words. 
Don't you think?

Anyway that's all from me today I'm away to magic something up for tea...mmmmm!

Crop day

Today I've been to our local crop

and I've had a lovely afternoon of

crafting, tea and CAKE!

Great company with like minded crafter's too.

What did I get up to?

Lots of chatting and laughing!

A wee bit of a boogie!

And some crafting!

Unfortunately no photographs yet

as it was dark by the time I got home,

but I made a few cards and some charms....

Mmmm!

Back tomorrow with a few pics.

I'm away for a Sunday night chillaxe.

I hope you've all had a good weekend.



Drum roll please!

Right my candy is now closed....

I'd firstly like to say a big

THANK YOU

to all who took part

but unfortunately there can be only one winner and that is......

BECKY

If you could e-mail your address here

I will get the parcel out to you first thing Monday.

Enjoy!

I am very excited today, guess what I got in the post?

Oh my how lucky am I?

Now all I've got to do is pray that we are not hit by lots of snow in the North of Scotland between now and then.

Flights are booked.

Can't wait to see what is going to be new this season.

I must try and remember to take my good camera this year so I can share some snippets with you all.

Finally today I wanted to share this card I made for a pal yesterday.

I don't normal do baby cards in such a bright combination but

my brief was that the nursery was decorated in,

"Mama and Papa's Gingerbread".

You must see the collection, it is so cute.

Here is my interpretation;

I have used my Sizzix Gingerbread man die,

 the rest of the papers and buttons are from my stash.

I love this baby range

I'm afraid I was really boring and had

Winnie the Pooh when my kids were babes.

Anyway guys that is all from me today,

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

"Happy crafting!"

Last chance.

Just a quick reminder today is the last day to enter my candy giveaway two posts down.

I'm a busy bee just now creating some new card designs.

I hope to share some bits I've been playing with next week.

Happy crafting!

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday 137

For a start this week you can in fact see my desk

which is much better than last weeks attempt.

How much neater is that?!  LOL.

Note I haven't shared the whole of my room,

it is still a work in progress,

slow wins the race ask any tortoise!

Plus I keep getting distracting finding more things I'd forgotten I'd bought.

Lots of ooooo's and arrrrrr's and maybe a stroke or two....you know what I mean don't you?

So on my desk today is my next Sugar Bowl card, or is it?

Maybe I will use this SN stamp maybe not....such a tease.

I'm away to put on the kettle and make a brew, kick back my heels and make a card.

Why not pop on over to Julia's blog

and see what everyone else is up to today.

Oh and before I go....

I got candy in the post before this one up for grabs closing date is this Friday, just if you are interested.

Happy crafting everyone.  x





New to you

Whilst having a good old sort out, 

I can't believe how much I have that hasn't even been opened yet,

I thought I might share some if you likie?

How about a wee bit of new to you stash?

I am obviously not going to get through everything here so who would like to help me out?

To be in with a chance of re-home what is in the picture below;

...just leave me a comment, follow me and mention on your blog (just the usual).

I will ship anywhere

although I must mention the last parcel I sent to Europe didn't arrive at it's destination,

just so you are aware.

Please could you give a loving new home to this stash?

Included in the parcel;

We are Memory keepers Double sided 12" papers Hoopla x 8

2 x sheets of embossed stickers

Autumn leaves Stampology layered clear stamps Invitation and Party

Imagination coasters Gin-x fun flowers pink

Distress ink Black soot

A selection of glittered blooms, ribbons and girlie charms.

I shall leave this open till the end of the week and announce a winner on Saturday.

Good luck and happy crafting.  xxx



Still tidying!

Yes I'm still here trying to put some order into my craft space.

In my defence I am not working at full pace

or even half pace

and am constantly getting distracted either by third parties

or the desire to craft rather than clean.

I am officially having withdrawal effects today especially now there is space on my desk.

Still on the upside I've found a stash of chocolate I'd forgotten about so that is getting me through.

My youngest is threatening a bike ride this afternoon

oh the joys!

Can you tell I can't wait?

Still it will work off one or two chocolates.

Hope you are all having a lovey crafty Sunday.

I will craft later!

I hope.



We're back!

It's Sugar bowl 75 and we're back after a wee break for Christmas.

This time it is my sketch with the theme

"BIRTHDAYS"

a nice easy one to get us all back into the swing after all those festive nibbles and drinks!

Back to normality.

BUMP!

Here's my take on the sketch;

As you can see I've kept to the less is more approach this time.

I am really enjoying working on craft and stripping cards right back.

I have used:

Sugar Nellie digi image Summer.

Spellbinder grand die scalloped square and nestabilities oval.

The papers are DCWV Linen Closet.

Brads from Cathy, trim and rub ons from stash and coloured with prisma pencils.

The sketch;

I've moved a couple of bits around.

Which is allowed.  :)

I wanted to use "Summer" to lift the mood of January....

with promises of warmer weather and sunny days....

not the cold and snow which has yet to arrive...

I hope it stays off till after the show in Birmingham as tickets and classes are booked.

I am not normally that well organised.

The prize this time....

Up for grabs your choice of 4 Sugar Nellie stamps

should we go over the 100 entry mark your choice of 6 SN stamps.

It only remains for me to say....

I hope you enjoy the sketch and as usual you've got to be in it to win it.

"Happy crafting!"



WOYWW

The simple answer to that question is everything and nothing.

Everything is on my desk but nothing is getting done.

Can you guess why?

Yup....where do I start?

Today I shall mostly be continuing to tidy my craft room.

I have been putting it off and putting it off with family about over the festive season.

Today marks the day when my big boy is back to school

so get the flags out as I'm going in!!

It might take me some time.

Wish me luck.....

I really should learn to put away after I've finished a project.

I'm always too keen to get onto the next, especially if the mojo is in full flow.

Maybe I'll find my mojo under that pile of stash at the back

...and maybe a few bits I'd forgotten I have.

Why not pop on over to Julia's blog and see what everyone else has on their desks?

Bet not as much rubbish as me?!



And for the crafting interlude.....

Yesterday my boys wanted a "family day out!"

So it was decided we would visit Culbin Forest.

So for today's interlude on crafting....I thought I'd share a few photographs instead.

Now boys being boys the first thing in a forest to collect would be a stick or too.

The the imagination sets in...

whether you like guns or not it is a regular with sticks in any forest.

Great hiding places and big sticks at the ready let the games commence!

A sure fine way to wear out kids

as I'm sure they do twice the distance you do just walking the path.

Why do I mention this?

Well, this first photo will answer your question....

As you can see this is not really a twig!

But there were a lot of larger trees down...maybe all the recent windy weather is to blame?

The walk wasn't bad for a January morning in sunny Scotland!

We were heading for Hill 99 Culbin's highest sand dune at 99 feet.

Now this next picture doesn't really do the height justice.

It was high and it was windy up top.

I'm sure on a brighter day you'd be able to see for miles.

  

Needless to say my wee man wasn't keen to go all the way up.

But what really caught my eye on the way down was a little seating area, maybe for picnics?

Each of the seat had a wee rhyme about the climb!

I loved it so I thought I would share;

Bear Grylls eat your heart out!

At one with nature....

Mind you we didn't go so far to collect sticks and eat rough style, oh no.

Instead a trip to MacKenzie and Cruickshank was in order for a big bowl of their homemade soup and a large cheese scone, nomm, nomm!

Then home for a wee rest and you've guessed

a little crafting!

Strange but true!

Now over the years I've had some strange requests for cards.

Some make me smile,

some make me giggle

and some just make me think!

I am always up for a challenge.

Actually I think that is the best thing about creating a "bespoke" card.

The immediate thought of "how will I do that?!"

Then the satisfaction of achieving the goal.

Three of my all time favourites...

A 40th for a man who had just told everyone he was into men!  (Get my drift?!)

A dogs 1st birthday. (A good reader!)

A leaving card for a nurse working on a Gynaecologist ward...note please include a male part! 

(And I did!)

Now why am I telling you this?

Don't get me wrong I take all card requests seriously,

some are just more memorable than others for one reason or another.

For this next card I was asked for a picture of a cow....

and the wonderful

Custard by Sugar Nellie

sprang to mind.

I have kept the design simple so that all the emphasis is on the cow.  :o

I do hope the recipient gets the joke!

Gulp!

Again not the best of photo's but you get the general idea.

I'm afraid we've had a few dreich days when I've needed to take pictures up here in sunny Scotland.

I also would have liked to put the 30 in the top patch on Custard but unfortunately it did not fit.

Such is life!

So Morag...I do hope you are not offended by your card and you do see the funny side.

May you have a great birthday and many moo..re!

Wee cutie!

Now as well as yesterday's garland and some flowers

I also saw this wee cutie that Karen liked on Pinterest (linked yesterday).

Again this is my interpretation and is smaller to the original.

I have also hand stitched it rather than using the machine...

it was too fouterie for that.

It is actually made from black and cream felt to go with the garland yesterday,

bad photography on my part doesn't really help,

although in my defence the lighting wasn't great the day I took it.

I also used the closest item to hand to show how small it is.

To those of you without kids it is a Nerf bullet.

You are lucky if you don't have these beauties around your home.

I find them all over my house and they come second only to the backs off 3D foam!

Mind you I'd rather stand on these than wee bits of Lego any day of the week.

Did I just admit to an upside of finding these all over?!

Inspiration was from here.

I absolutely love Agah's version.

She is one talented lady, her felt items are to die for. 

Her little badge has a real Scandinavian feel to it

which has been really big over this festive season.

My iron mountain is nearly complete but don't you just hate putting it away?

It's like the food shopping...don't mind doing it but hate putting it away.

I think I might have to have a wee crafting break.  LOL.

We have a new Sugar Bowl challenge coming soon after having a break over Christmas.

Me thinks it's time to have a play instead.



Birthday time.

Yesterday was my good friend Karen's birthday and she always loves to have something handmade.

What to do so soon after Christmas?

This year I cheated and popped across to Pinterest for a few ideas.

It's great you can look on friends walls and see

"what they like, what they really, really like!"

This is my interpretation;

And a closer look;

My inspiration was from here.

I went with a classic Cream and black combo using Paris Nights by g.c.d. studio.

I love these papers.

This garland would not only great for Valentine's day but up and coming Weddings too.

Me, I think I might just have to have one in teal!!

That will be a shock to my crafting pals.

Watch this space.

That's all for me just now.

My craft room is still a mess and I have a long awaited appointment with the ironing board....yawn!

I have been staying away from my craft room,

a. because it's a mess but also

b. to spend more time with my boys. 

It turns out I've mainly just been catching up on things around the house.

Even more yawning!

Hopefully normal service will resume soon.



Time to craft!

You'd think so won't you?
Not on your Nelly.
For a start I really can't face going in my craft room.
And my New Years revolution.......
You've guessed it?
A major clear out and tidy required, so I can face my room.
I ain't kidding.  Honest.

I saw my New Year in with close friends having nibbles and a games night followed by a trip to the local "Cairn" for the bells.
A late night was had by all but it was great fun.

Yesterday we returned the favour and had our close friends back for more of the same.
So the last couple of days I've had fun in the kitchen baking and cooking and really enjoying myself.
Is that wrong?!

And today I've taken down my Christmas decorations and cards.
The house looks so bare now.
Time to make some more bit's and bob's for around the house.
Watch this space.

I believe a few bloggers have been adding quotes that they like to their blogs being the New Year,
this is my favourite and is a Tim Holtz stamp.

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.
Art is knowing which ones to keep!"

We've all been there haven't we, LOL.

Anyway that is all from me today
I hope you are all enjoying the start of 2012.
I'm leaving you today hoping a magic pixie turns up during the night and tidies my craft room.  :)
I know it would be nice wouldn't it?