It's a girl!

Back again today, did you manage the hop?  I'm loving the new mermaid stamps, so cute but back to today and I have this to share with you.

Another of my 6" canvasses.  This is for a close friend of the family who had a little girl last month, how late am I sending a gift!  So bad.  Mind you I did get the news when we were away on our holidays and I'm still not up to date on the washing and ironing!  My kids seem to wear twice as much stuff during the holidays!
Anyway enough moaning and more doing.....this little cutie is from Sugar Nellie and is called Bambino.  It is coloured using my copics and layered in sparkly pink gingham.  The canvas background is covered with Distress ink Spun Sugar and the frame is painted white then distressed with sandpaper and Vintage photo Distress ink.  The charm and ribbon are from my stash.

Today is the big day over in the Sugar mines and I wish the whole family all the very best, "have a super day!"
Tom and Debbie may you both have a long and happy life together.  xxx

Blog hop

Have you been?
Where you may ask?
The Sugar Nellie blog hop. 

It is such a lovely day it would be rude not to take a dip under the sea to cool off!

I'm away right now for a hop, see you there.

It's nearly time! SOS!

I've had a real lazy Sunday morning as I got my head stuck in a book and it's lethal.  My eldest had a pal for a sleepover last night so the kids all played happily this morning.  They're now outside making bow and arrows with their dad so I have even more peace to pop on the computer.

Over in the Sugar mines things are readying for the family Wedding next week.  How exciting must that be?
In honour of Debbie and Tom's Wedding I thought my Share on Sunday this week had to be something Wedding related and so I found these on Pinterest.

Aren't they beautiful?  Great Wedding boxes, I'm loving the lace and pearls together.  These beauties can be found here.
I hope the weather holds for you both and you have a fabulous Wedding day.

For more details on Share on Sunday why not pop over to the Sugar Nellie blog for more information.

Sporting time ahead.

Did you watch the opening ceremony for the Olympics last night?
What a performance. 
My favourite bits were the Queen and Daniel yummy Craig as 007 entering the stadium followed by Mr Bean, both made me giggle.  The gold rings from the industrial era were amazing as was the final torch.  The worse bit for me watching Paul sing...I know he is a legend in the music industry and has had major influence in it over the years but someone should be honest with him and let him know he ain't "got it" anymore..I found it sad to watch.  An icon should stay an icon and know when enough is enough but that is just my opinion.  Nuff said!

On to the card I mentioned in my earlier post this week, I'm being such a bad blogger just now.  I'm enjoying spending time with the family...stopping the kids fighting!  LOL.  Need I say more?

This order is for a local lady and her husbands up and coming birthday.  I'm sure he won't be checking out my blog so I think we are safe!

And inside the shed.

I was looking on line for a digital image for a garden shed, not liking what I did find I decided to make one myself.  The pots are from a decoupage sheet I found and the watering can is a button.  The rest I made with various card stock and inks.
I'm glad I made the shed now as it has given me another idea but I can't share that just now. 
I really need to crack on with another 4 orders but I'm drawn to watch the sport...I don't know why? 

My youngest has started at Judo so I was told we were watching that first thing morning whilst hubby wanted on the beach volley ball....I wonder why?! 
I would be the first to admit I don't as yet understand the point system to Judo reminding me more of watching a Saturday night brawl "down town" in my youth!   LOL. 
I felt for the UK representative after months of preparation for 5 minutes on the mat to be thrown about by an excellent opponent from China.  All that work gone in just a few minutes, bless. 
I am hoping to catch up later with the cycling and rowing come on team GB....but better crack on now. 
Have a super weekend whatever you are up to.  x

Busy not crafting!

Where are the holidays going? 
We have at last had some sunshine up in the North of Scotland, yippee!  So I'm afraid no crafting for me.  Boo!

What have I been up to....the interesting bits....

I've been down the harbour watching the kids dooking...boy the water looked cold but they were in their element.  You can tell the local kids on the beach or harbour as they are all in wetsuits, with the added benefit of very little skin showing to cover in suncream.

I have made my first batch of raspberry jam and am surprisingly very pleased with it....it tastes like proper raspberry jam!  Just got to make scones now, nomn, nomn.  I wish! 
I am trying to eat healthily just now and it's so hard when the family are about.  I just want to bake but then it's so hard not to check it.  Isn't quality control the best bit?

Yesterday I was a caddy to my youngest whilst the boys hit a few holes at the local golf course.  Mmm we lost a few balls in the rough but good fun was had by all.

Today I've had a bike ride along the coast and I believe the dolphins were out jumping...we must have passed too early and missed them again, apparently they were also out yesterday.
After our bike ride my youngest and I went to a local castle ruin for a picnic and explore whilst my eldest played golf with his mates.

As you can see I'm getting very little crafting time although I have managed one of my card orders today...whoop, whoop! 
Photo to follow.
I've also got a few cards to make myself, a couple of births and a very important Wedding coming up next week!

I hope you are enjoying the holidays and better weather and maybe I'll be back soon with some more crafting. 

Not long now before the start of the Christmas crafting countdown!!  Ho, ho, ho!

Time for a little tea and cake.

I didn't finish all my ironing yesterday as I got side tracked by my boys in to making some cakes.  I made some on Saturday morning for the refreshments for our afternoon gala.  My boys hovered after I'd finished them but were told "hands off they're not for you!"  What a bad mummy I am!  LOL.
My youngest was most put out so I promised him that I would make some more.  Butter icing made the appearance on my gala cakes so I decided to have a play with some fondant icing for a change.

Blue for boys...but with a flower and glitter!  It didn't matter to them by the end of the day they'd all gone. 
Today I think I shall start by catching up on my ironing and then I think a bike ride is in store.  Mind you I do hope to get some crafting done later.  I have a couple of card orders I'd like to get sorted but I'm also out tonight.  Can I have a few more hours in a day please?!  It's my own fault staying up late then a lazy morning.....must get cracking.  Enjoy your Monday.

Share on Sunday

Calling out an SOS as there is no crafting going on!
Yes I have been away from my craft room enjoying other things. 
Yesterday saw the final day of our local Gala and what a great week we have had plus the sun came out which was an added bonus.  We ended up with friends barbecuing by the beach, whilst the kids enjoyed the first "dooking" of the holidays.
On Friday I had a day out with my friend Irene with a visit to the Sewing shop to get new parts for my machine then on to The Papeterie to watch the lovely Barbara Grey from Clarity Stamps.  What a great demonstrator she is, I could have sat listening to her all day but we had to get back as I had a car treasure hunt later that evening.  The hunt went well and great fun was had by all.

Back to Karen's SOS over at the Sugar Nellie blog and today she is sharing books with you. 
How many shades of grey are in your world!!  LOL.
Step away from the tie "laters!"
 
I read any style of book but the story has to grip me within the first couple of chapters.  After a recommendation from a friend who reads lots I downloaded the Agatha Raisin Omnibus for my holidays....I do love a good crime and intrigue book, trying work out "who done it" before the end.
This was one in the series.

It is set in the Cotswolds which is a lovely part of England and many places which are mentioned I have visited at some point, adding to the interest of the book. 
Since getting home I haven't had chance to get in to anymore reading but it looks like I shall be adding the Hunger Games to the list.  My eldest boy had mentioned it and wanted to see the film so I better find out what all the fuss is about.
Enjoy your Sunday I'm away to catch up on some chores, boo!

Whats on your Work desk Wednesday 163

It's Wednesday again, hump day and guess what....it's raining  again in sunny Scotland!  Another dreich day ahead, our local fair has it's "Harbour night" tonight, which I guess is why it is raining, heaven forbid we have a night without waterproofs.  Still a couple of alcoholic beverages and who will care!
Moving on to my desk...as I've mentioned I am presently working on something that I can't share just now but I am using these papers....

Got to love MME paper pads, lush!
What are you up to this Wednesday, I'll be having a look later this evening via Julia's fine blog.
Have a super day and I thought I'd leave you with this funny I got from my dad this morning, it made me smile.

The  local news station was interviewing an 80-year-old lady because she had just married for the fourth time. The interviewer asked her  questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying  again at 80, and then about her new husband's occupation. "He's a funeral director," she  answered. "Interesting," the newsman thought. He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first  three husbands and what they did for a living. She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years. After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she had first married a banker when she was in her early 20's, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40's, then a preacher when in her 60's, and now in her 80's, the funeral director. The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse  careers. She smiled and patiently explained, "I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go."

Beavering away!

I am beavering away in my craft room and hope to have something to share again with you soon.  Until then my lips are sealed!

Today I am trying something new as well!
Have a great Tuesday and as Arnold Swarchenegger would say "I'll be back!"

SOS....it's share on Sunday time.

Over on the Sugar Nellie blog it is Share on Sunday time and this week Karen has mentioned wool and knitting.  Knitting is one craft I have done very little of as wool and I don't get on.  It makes me itch so I don't wear it unless I am very cold.
Whilst looking at Pinterest after too long ironing...I need a break...I found these wee cuties. 

Aren't they cute?  They're from here.

I love wool felt and like making little bits with it, usually hand stitching especially things like Christmas decorations.   Mind you I couldn't leave today without a little something of my favourite colour.

Isn't this stunning and just my colour, from here.
And another one.....

Mmmm I think there is a theme here, guess which colour I like. 
This fine flower can be found here.

No knitting from me but the felt is wool so there is a connection.  It's the best one you are going to get off me!

I hope you are all having a fine relaxing Sunday, we've got even more rain just now so I have a house of boys X-boxing!  I do hope at some point during the holidays the sun will come out so I can get them down to the beach....is it too much to ask?!

Busy little bee!

Today I have no pictures to share with you, I'm beavering away on something that I cannot show you just yet. 

It is also the Craft show at our local gala and I usually enter a few of the categories, card, jewelry, photography and baking but I'm afraid I've done nothing this year.  Busy getting caught up with things after getting back of holiday and with a few orders too.  Still I will be popping out this afternoon to have a look at everyones makes, my boys have both entered something, one Lego and the other a photo.  You get tea and a cake in the craft tent so it would be rude not to pop down and be sociable!

Have a super Saturday and I'll be back soon.

Shabby comfort!

Yesterday I popped over to Alford with my good friend Irene for a class with Anne at The Sew Room. 
Get out your sewing machine and dust it down!  Or in my case replace the needle as my machine sees more paper and acetate than it ever sees material.
I had a super day and learnt loads about my machine and I had this to bring home with me....

It looks blue in the photo but it is duck egg in colour.  Isn't the cotton fabric just fabulous?  I loved the faux chenilling in the centre panel, I will be trying that again.  In fact I brought enough material away to make another plus Sloan paint to give my kitchen a bit of a shabby chic make over too. 
It looks like I will be having fun over the weekend.  (I think the kitchen will take a wee bit longer!)
The beauty of this shabby cushion is every time you wash it the edges get a little more shabby.
And the back....

I've got loads of material in the loft including some fabby Christmas prints....I can feel a new hobby starting or is it returning to a previous tried one with a bit more knowledge under my belt?! 

I have tried patchwork before but I did it by hand and boy it takes a long time.  The machine certainly speeds things up!

If you are ever in Alford I recommend a trip to Anne's The Sew Room and she has some stunning fabric, ribbons and buttons.  Thanks also to both Irene's for the great company and nibbles.

Sugar bowl challenge 88

Hi it's time for another Sugar bowl challenge and here is my version of the sketch with the theme "SUMMERTIME."

For this card I have used SN stamp City girl and is coloured with copic pens.  The papers are MME Be Amazed as is the twill.  The sentiment stamps are by Marion Emberson Find joy everyday and Paula Pascual Square tags with bling from my stash.
And the sketch....

I have a confession this card was made whilst away in the caravan and I was so well organised I had nothing but paper, pens, ink, twill and stamps.  It was back to basics for me making all the wee flowers and leaves.  Not a die cut in site!

Anyway this challenge will be running for a month over the summer so plenty of time to have a go,  more than one entry is encourage as long as you use a SN image (more chances to win!).  Up for grabs for the random winner are 4 of your choice from the lovely range of SN stamps, 6 if we get more than 100 entries. 

Have fun with the sketch and thanks for popping by.



What's on your work desk this Wednesday 163

Hi folks, I've been absent from WOYWW for the last couple of weeks because I've been away on my holidays with the family in the caravan.  It was great to catch up with other members of my family but what weather we had....I have never seen so many different versions of rain..we had fine mist (the sort you don't think you'll get wet with but yes you do), we've had "spitting", vertical rain, regular rain, torrential rain and OMG sheets of water rain! 
It has followed us around the country I am sure.
All I'm going to say as I'm glad I wasn't camping!
I shall be checking my feet for webbing later, quack, quack.
The caravan has been cleaned out and returned to it's storage for now, the washing machine is going full pelt, the ironing pile is growing and a food shopping trip is on the horizon today.
Firstly I shall share my desk today, bit of a mess again as I was busy trying to get on top of orders and end of term items before going away.  The beauty of the bad weather however, has meant I managed a couple of craft shops.  So my new purchases are what I'm sharing today.

MMmm I wonder when I'll get chance to play?
Why not pop over to Julia's place and check out what other crafters are up to.  I'm going to be very boring and crack on with my jobs then maybe I'll get chance later to have a nosey this evening at what you've been busy with, thanks for popping by and have a great Wednesday.

Little drummer boy.

This is another of my thank you cards this time for my youngests drumming teacher.

This image is from Kenny K and sums up my youngest on the drums....great move on our part.  Drums sets should come with free ear defenders!  He always plays them just as the phone goes with a wicked grin on his face. 
Atleast when his drum teacher comes it sounds just fine.  You've never seen concentration like it!  His face is a picture during lessons.

Thank you

This card was to say thank you to my son's housemaster for watching over him over the last school year.

This image is by Mo Manning and is so suitable for a teenage boy....wired to his electrical equipment and coloured with copic markers.

Is it me or do all teenagers need plugging in?  My mum made me laugh the other day as we were talking about the kids being attached to some gadget or other, she said "all those years we've had those fancy child proof plugs for the electrical sockets to keep the kids from poking little fingers in them.....then they reach their teens and are never away from them!"
No matter how hard we try, real life as a teenager is not as much fun with out being charged!

The papers are MME Be amazing as it the twill.  The tag is made with SU punches and sentiment from Marion Emberson.  The buttons are from my stash.

I love Mo's digi images for teenage boys, so age appropriate.  More from me tomorrow.

Oh Matron!

Sorry couldn't resist the title....my eldest boy has a matron at school and it always makes me want to speak like Kenneth Williams, expand those nostrils and say "Oh Matron" from the film Carry on Matron.  Bonkers I know but not a bad person!
Anyway I wanted to stick to the little canvasses as I had so much fun making them so this is Matron's....

This is on the same idea as yesterday but I have used Broken china Distress stain for my background on the canvas.  The lettering is by Doodlebug, the clothes are made using my cricuit and the grass is by Marion Emberson using Peeled paint,  Crushed olive and Pine needles distress inks.  It was all brought together again with Vintage photo ink.
Matron washes all the boys kit and looks after them all which is a key job at school.

Teachers gifts

Hi folks and today I thought I would share my teachers gifts from this year.  If you had seen a previous post from What's on your work desk Wednesday you will recognise these canvasses.

This is a 6" canvass with frame from my local craft shop.  I have painted the frame white then sanded it and added Vintage photo distress ink to give a shabby chic feel.  The canvass is painted red with Fired brick distress stain then I've added red gingham card from Kanban.  The apple is a sizzix die and "Teachers cannot live by apples alone," was printed on the computer.  I've then brought it all together with a little distressing again with Vintage photo.  Together with this canvas a bottle of wine was wrapped and tagged with "Grapes help too!"  I have it on good authority that teachers enjoy a wee drop of wine to unwind at the end of school term.  LOL.  Where as parents need a drop throughout the holidays!  :)

Spellbinding butterflies.

Thursday already and where is this week going?  Or is it the year?  If only summer was about, rain, rain and more rain here.  The only good thing is you don't feel guilty staying indoors and crafting!
Here is todays card...

Again I have used the Spellbinder butterfly dies and M-bossiblities Garden delight plus Marion Emberson sentiment too.  The centre Spellbinder die is Moroccan Motifs times two.  The paper is K & Company and pearls from stash.

This is another simple card where the dies do all the work for you. 

Can you tell I'm busy with the kids this week?  My posts are short and to the point, less time to play!
Boo!  :)

Fluttering by with some butterflies!

Hi all and I'm having another week off from What's on your workdesk.....I'll explain why later in the week.  I am therefore sharing this card with you instead.

For this card I have used Spellbinder butterfly dies and M-bossibilities Garden delight.  The stamps are again from Marion Emberson Just because.  Pearl paper by K & Company then ribbon and pearls from my stash.

I never used to be a big fan of butterflies but just lately I can finally admit I get why everyone likes them...yes I have been converted.  Just don't expect me to be so quick with the colour PINK!  LOL.

Anyway I'm going to sign off and have some more fun with my boys, don't you just love the school holidays, more tomorrow.

M-Boss it!

Today for Tuesday I thought I'd show you another version of a recent card using the new Spellbinder M-bossibilities.

I have used M-bossiblilites Garden delight then Martha Stewart edger Pop up butterfly punch finishing with some seam binding, pearls and sentiment by Marion Emberson, Find joy everyday.

I do love the simplicity of this card letting the embossing folder and punch do all the work.  A quick card to make, and I often need that....you'd think making cards all the time I'd be more organised but I'm not.  I'm a nightmare at making and sending cards out on time.

Have a great Tuesday and more from me tomorrow.

I think I must be in stamping mode!

Monday again and more stamping for you today.  Can you guess I am having lots of fun stamping just now? 

For this card I have used Spellbinder nestabilities Labels eight and Shapeabilties Fancy tags.  The stamps are from Marion Emberson Build a tree and Find joy everyday.  I have again used Distress ink Fired brick, paper by Nitwit and Martha Stewart Scalloped with two dots edger punch.

This layered card was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest although finished it doesn't look anything like it.  Do you do that?  Take inspiration from something you've seen and then come up with something completely different.  I like to think of it as a spark of inspiration to fire up the creative juices, LOL.  We all need that sometimes.  What gets your creative juices flowing?!  (Especially on a Monday morning!)