And through the Spellbinder window........

Do you remember the kids TV show where you looked through the window, the square or round and there was another?
Well today I have the Spellbinder window card for you.  So lets take a look through the Spellbinder window!

 

For this card I have used;
Spellbinder A4 embossing folder Lattice, die Window two and Shapeabilities dies Back to basic tags.  The sentiment is by Marion Emberson Find joy everyday and the curtains are made by knotting 2" wide tartan ribbon. 

This window could be dressed up for Christmas with a wreath or a tree placed behind it or it could make a great new home card too.  In fact you could add all manor of wee surprised behind the window.  Hours of fun!

I'm beavering away in M & S again today and tomorrow with a Christmas crop all day on Sunday so another busy weekend planned.  Have a super weekend whatever you are up to.

Sugar bowl time 97

That was another quick fortnight and here is my next card for the Sugar bowl challenge.
Today's sketch was set by the lovely Wendy and here is my take, I have switched it around a wee bit.

 

And the sketch....

 

With the theme A Winter's tale.
I have used Sugar Nellie digital stamp A gift for you together with paper by First Addition Christmas joy.  The image is coloured with copic markers and the embellishments are from my stash.

Up for grabs are four of your choice from the Sugar Nellie stamp range increasing to six if we have over one hundred entries. It only remains for me to say you've got to be in it to win it...enjoy the challenge and thanks for popping by.

Happy crafting!

So, what's on your work desk this Wednesday 182?

Is it me or are Wednesday's coming around quicker each week?!
Today I have taken a photo before starting crafting so this is more what I left it like last night.
Have you noticed I'm on a different desk?
I have two desks side by side, one with the computer on and one for all my crafting bits.  Of late I have spent more time at the computer desk as I put the i-player on whilst working.  So now I have two messy desks!  (And you think I'm joking!)
See........

The tea and shortbread are not from last night, they're more me getting ready to crack on today.  Oh and it's not just ordinary shortbread!  ;)
It's not the best of photographs but last night I was colouring in a Minnie Mouse who has been set aside to dry as she has Glossy accents on her nose.  Time for a wee tidy before starting two more bespoke cards, one for a trendy knitter and another for a plumber....toilet seat time me thinks.  :D
Once I've got that done time for some housework, boo and thinking ahead for our Christmas crop on Sunday.....I guess I finally should give in and get some Christmas cards organised.

You too can share your crafty desk with other mad crafter's by popping over to the lovely Julia's blog and joining in.  See you there. 
Finally I would just like to say a big thank you for popping over to my pad, I shall be wandering later today checking out other desks.  For those who leave comments with me I do tend to visit you first.
Happy crafting!

This is more my style.

Morning, just and I'm back with the next card in my selection again another red and white combo, after yesterdays card this one is more my own sort of style.  It is very nearly a less is more card.  Don't you think?  The lighting is not the best, but then at this time of year the window for good photography gets smaller and smaller.

For this card I have used Spellbinder grand embossing folder (A4) Lattice together with Shapeabilities die Asian Motifs and Back to basic tags, then D-lites Poppy Patch.  Sentiments are from Marion Emberson's Find Joy everyday and pearls from my stash.

I have layered two poppy dies on top of each other having cut off the poppy heads in red so it actually does looks embossed, but isn't, which is another technique you could also do then just add the flowers. 
The embossing folder, used for the background, is just brilliant, as I mentioned a couple of days ago, I'm only left thinking why were they not made earlier?!
I love the fact that the pattern could be used for all manor of different cards, a truly good all rounder.

I've got a job lot of bespoke cards to make today and I really would love, at some point this week, to start making my own Christmas cards.  I do think that fewer cards will be sent this year after speaking to different folk, it seems lots of friends are choosing to e-mail and give money to charity rather than the expense of posting, what are your thoughts?

A Spellbinding thank you!

I'd like to start today by thanking the lovely ladies who braved the weather to come and see me at The Papeterie in Aberdeen yesterday.
This was the favourite card of the day which did make me smile as it was probably my least favourite.  Don't ask me why, and I know I shouldn't have favourites but I'm glad you all liked it.

For this card I have used Spellbinder dies; D-lites Fantastic Flourish Three, Nestabilities Classic circle, Asian Accents, Decorative Labels One, Tear drop Circles and Decorative Labels Eight.  The sentiment is by Marion Emberson Find joy everyday with pearls from my stash. 

I have loved playing with the new D-Lites dies, oh the possibilities to add accents to cards, scrapbooking and home accents.  I think I might have to play some more!
Remember with these dies to run them through your machine with wax paper before card as it will make removing card or paper so much easier.
It was also mentioned to me that one customer had had trouble cutting with her dies, if it doesn't cut first time, rotate the dies remembering the edges of the machine have better pressure than the centre, pop the die through a second time.  A thin shim of card can also help too if you are still having a problem I find some dies are easier than others depending on the detail.

Whilst the cats away! I'll share a "spell!"

Whilst I am through in Aberdeen this Sunday I thought I would set this to post rather than make you wait till Monday. 

Mmmm not the best photograph but you get the general idea. 

To make this box I have used Spellbinder Grand Hexagon Petal envelope die together with the A4 (yes I said A4) embossing folder Lattice.  Shame it's not the best photo for you to see the embossing.  I have also used a roll of acetate (I knew that roll I bought would come in handy but I'm blowed if I can remember where I got it from, you could use two sheets of A4) with Spellbinder dies Create a flake 3 and 2010 Snowflake pendant. 

The hexagon envelopes create the top and bottom of the box and I have used 8 of the snowflake die inside to create the 3D snowflake but you could use more, I recommend using paper rather than card for the snowflake as the top and bottom get too thick with card and you want to be able to thread ribbon and a bell to hang it up.  The snowflakes on the top are the 2010 pendant and Create a flake 3 layered on top with 3D foam.

Did I mention I'm loving the new A4 embossing folders?! 
Now all your boxes can be embossed too, all over, how neat is that?
Oh my a few dies and an embossing folder is all it takes to get this girl happy!  LOL.  ;)

I hope you are having a super weekend and I'll be back with more tomorrow.  Happy crafting!

Sneaky peak 3 "The revenge!"

Back again today with my final sneaky peak for my Aberdeen class on Sunday.

I know you shouldn't have favourites but this one is mine. 
I'm away to organise my bag and pack up some kits for Sunday's demonstration now, then hopefully I will get chance to tackle my next Sugar Bowl challenge later today.

Have a great Thursday, I'm working tomorrow and Saturday in M & S then Sunday in Aberdeen so I shall be a little quiet on here this weekend.  However, I have lots to share with you next week.
Wishing you all the best for the weekend and I wanted to finish today by sending all my friends over in the USA this....

Happy Thanksgiving!!

What's on your work desk this Wednesday? 181

I've missed a couple of Wednesdays of late I don't know where the time is going just now.  Scary!  It will be Christmas before we know it.  Every year I say I'm going to be organised and every year I get worse, am I the only one?!
On to this Wednesday and I am getting ready for some fun at the weekend so I have a desk full of Spellbinding action waiting to be played with today....can't wait.....

Now where am I going to work?  LOL.  I have set myself a challenge over the next couple of weeks to have a right good tidy but will I manage it?  That is the question.

You can follow the crafty exploits of other like minded crafter's via the wonderful Julia's blog here.  I shall be back later to have a wander when I've played, whoops, sorry worked with the above dies.
Have a great crafty day and I really appreciate the visit.  x

Back to yesterdays post and I promised a second sneak peak for you.......

Mmmmm, the second card for Sunday.

Back tomorrow, happy crafting.

Sneak peak 1

Hi folks I think I've already mentioned that this Sunday I have a class in Aberdeen, you can contact Charlotte here for more details.  So would you like a sneaky peak of one of the cards you'll be making?

It is red and white but not Christmas, mind you could change the greeting if you wanted to.
Another peak tomorrow. 
I'm back the grind cutting this card out....there are a few bits....the off cuts have got my fire going tonight too....even my card multi tasks!
Back soon.

As busy as a beaver!

Hi folks well my lovely parcel from Personal Impressions has arrived so today I will be designing my class for Aberdeen on Sunday.  Stay tuned during the week as I will be posting SNEAK peaks of what we will be making with details of how to get in touch with the Papeterie should you be interested.
As for my weekend it was lovely to have my boy home, relaxed and enjoying just being here.  We had a visit from our puppy who is growing like there is no tomorrow, hard to believe she fit in my hand 4 weeks ago.  Bless. 

Her first cuddle with my boy!
I think they're going to get along just fine don't you?
The only thing I didn't enjoy was sending my son back to school on the train Sunday afternoon!  Boo!

Anyway best crack on today and get my thinking cap on. 
Have a super Monday and watch out for my sneak peaks.
Happy crafting!

It's getting nearer!

Hi folks I have a day off today, whoop, whoop!  The first Saturday for months.  Mainly because I've swapped with a fella colleague having done a day for him during the week instead.  And the reason?
My eldest boy is home for the weekend so I have some quality family time planned.
I thought I would share this card I made for a close friend last week who wanted a gift/Christmas card for family.
This is what I came up with.

It has a wee pocket inside for the gift card.

I have used Spellbinder Poinsettia die, Foliage, Classic circle and Parisian motifs.  The card is from the Papeterie in Aberdeen and pearls from my stash.

Next week I shall be quiet on here again because I shall be getting ready for my Sunday demonstration in Aberdeen at the Papeterie. I will be demonstrating in the morning and teaching in the afternoon.  I have a few new ideas for you using the Christmas Spellbinder range but I have also got some of the new D-Lites dies too.  I am SO looking forwards to playing with them and sharing some ideas.  The Spellbinder dies just keep getting better and better.
I shall be fitting in a couple of days work at M & S too...boy it's getting busier, you would think that Christmas is on the horizon!

Have a super weekend all, I plan to.  x

Sugar bowl challenge 96

Mmmmm I've been a bit AWOL of late, sorry folks but lots going on in the real world and I'm not getting much time to craft.  I could ream off what I have been doing the last few days but I'm sure you don't really want to know, needless to say the ironing is up to date and I have surprise visitors!

Back to today and I have the next Sugar Bowl challenge which has been set by the lovely Maria with the theme Sparkle and shine.  Here's my version.....

And the sketch.....

I have used Sugar Nellie stamp Crystal Flakes together with papers by K & Company, snowflake embossing folder, Spellbinder die Create a flake 3, image is coloured with copic markers with bling and other embellishments from my stash.
Up for grabs are four of your choice from the Sugar Nellie stamp range increasing to six if we have over one hundred entries.  It only remains for me to say you've got to be in it to win it...enjoy the challenge and thanks for popping by.
Back to work tomorrow and busy at the weekend so I'm afraid it will be more silence here, I promise I will make it up to you soon.  Have a fun weekend and happy crafting!

12 tags of 2012 with Tim, November.

Hi whilst I am beavering away in work today I thought I would leave you with this.  It is my next attempt at Tim's 12 tags of 2012.

I have used Tim's stamps Flight of fancy, Stamper Anonymous Season's silhouettes and Andy Skinner Tempting textures, Spellbinder dies Foliage and Mix'd media together with Distress stains and ink Vintage photo and Fired brick, Sprays; Sunflower yellow, Tangerine, Olive and rust, embellishments by Tim, ribbons and extras from my stash.

I used Believe as my word with the tag Artful with the thought of "believe in being arty!"

I had great fun creating this tag and getting all inky, looking forwards to what December brings but also looking back at September's thinking now I fancy a go at that technique too.

That's all from me today, have a super weekend whatever you are planning and don't forget.....happy crafting!

You're a star!

I had to have a wee giggle at myself this morning....I got up all ready to go for What's on your Work desk Wednesday....and realised that I've missed it!  LOL.  Time for another cup of tea from my mug that says, "Keep calm and have a cuppa!"
I think the reason being, apart from I'm loosing my marbles, I was at work on Monday and it has thrown me for the rest of the week.  So easily fooled!
I am back working again Friday, Saturday and possibly Monday...how the weeks are flying by.
Today I shall be working on my next Sugar bowl challenge but I also had another wee play with the lovely stamp set I featured yesterday on my blog post, this time with the Spellbinder Nestabilities Stars five.

The stamp set is Seasons of love and can be found here.

Now how many tags will I need to make?  That is the question.  I feel a production line coming up.
Have a great Thursday whatever you are up to.  Oh and happy crafting!

Christmas tag you're it!

Back today a little later than planned.  I didn't get as many cards completed yesterday as I would have liked as I kept getting sidetracked but I did manage in to Elgin to pick up my kit so I can now get organised for my visit to Aberdeen.
Today my husband dragged me, kicking and shouting I'll have you know (not), out for lunch.  Mmmm Cruickshanks in Forres for homemade soup and a cheese scone, my favourite.  I also managed to pick up a few Christmas stocking fillers so good trip out.
Back to crafting and I have had my eyes on these stamps for a long time at Waltzing Mouse stamps but had not got around to purchasing them and the Spellbinder dies to match.  Last week after playing with my other stamps from there I decided to take the plunge.  I had to have a quick play today before carrying on making up some bespoke cards, this is what I came up with.....

The stamp set is Seasons of love with Distress ink Festive berries, the Spellbinder nestabilities dies Classic heart and Classic scalloped heart.
I seem to have a lot of wrapping paper with red in this year so red and white tags it is then.

I'm now thinking why did I not by these stamps earlier?!

Work in progress...

I'm back!
No posts from me over the weekend, working Friday, Saturday and Monday with a day out on Sunday to our local crop. 
As Miranda would say "such fun!"
Lots of crafting was had at our monthly crop with not only card making and scrap booking but sewing, beading and fimoing (if that is a word! :D).  This combined with oodles of cake and refreshments, giggles, chat, laughter and a wee boogie...what more could a girl ask for? 
Lots of Christmas cards being created but I decided to stick to decorating my letters....will I regret it as Christmas looms ever nearer?!  Time will tell. 
My picture today is a work in progress as the title suggests.  I have covered my cardboard letters with Kraft tissue paper by 7Gypsies...but now what to do?  Do I leave as Kraft and add some coloured embellishments or do I colour with my distress stains....decisions, decisions........?
I think I will have to have a good think about this one.

Mmmm.
On to today and I will be popping shortly to my local craft shop to pick up my kit so I can start and think about my demonstration coming up at the end of this month in Aberdeen.  I shall also be running a class in the afternoon so need to think about samples for that too.
Later today I have a few orders to make for a couple of friends and then a long awaited date with my iron and ironing board....note the boring job is last!

I hope you all had a super weekend.  I will hopefully be back tomorrow with a little something else.
Happy crafting!

Party time!

Sorry it's a late post today but I was working early today and last night I had a SU (Stamping Up) party with the lovely Kate and all my cropping crafty buddies. 
OMG I love the gift Kate made for me....what to see?

This is it in the box....and out of the box......

Isn't it beautiful and so much better in the flesh, thanks so much Kate.  Just my colours too....I wonder how she knew?!
Thanks also to Jane, Hailey and again to Kate for the lovely chocolates, nomn, nomn. 
Not forgetting Christel, Irene, Tracy, Elaine and Jo for coming over on such a cold evening for some crafting fun and chat. 
We had a super night and now have some lovely crafty stash on order, whoop, whoop! 
Can't wait to play.

Another busy day planned tomorrow at M & S with me on earlies but hopefully I will get chance to craft later.  I will be crafting on Sunday as it is our local crop the only problem I have is deciding what to take with me.  I should be making Christmas cards but I really want to make a word decoration for the house. 
That's all from me today, have a super weekend and thanks for all the lovely comments, it's great hearing from other like minded people and I will always return the favour.

Sugar bowl time 95

Morning, and after all that candy last night today we are bringing you another sugar fix in the form of this fortnights Sugar Bowl challenge.  This time is my sketch and I have set a colour challenge with it.  I hope you have fun with it and don't forget to use a Sugar Nellie image to be in with a chance of winning some lovely sugary stamps.

And the sketch.......

And the colour combo....

I have used Sugar Nellie image Blossom from the Leanne Ellis range together with papers by MME Stella and Rose collection.  The Spellbinder die is Petite ovals small and Cuttlebug embossing folder dots with the sentiment stamp from Paula Pascual Simple Flowers.  The flowers are stamps and a punch by SU and Blossom is coloured with copic markers, bling from stash.

Come along and have a go with a chance of winning 4 of your choice from the Sugar Nellie stamp range, rising to 6 with over 100 entries. 
It only remains for me to wish you luck and hope you enjoy the challenge. 
Crafty hugs, Erika.  x