My favourite cards of 2012!

I'd like to start today by shouting at the top of my voice.....

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

 

May 2013 bring you much joy and happiness and lots of crafty fun and for this evening enjoy eating, drinking and being merry!  I shall!

 

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank you all for visiting my wee blog over the last 12 months, especially to those of you who have left comments.  It's always lovely to hear other peoples points of view and I also then love to pop on over to your blog and check out your news and projects.

 

Over the next couple of days I'd like to share with you my favourite cards both Christmas and ordinary, projects and tags.....I do hope you like my choices.

 

On to today and I thought I'd share my favourite Christmas cards.....

 

 

 

There seems to be a Spellbinding trend here of Snowflakes and Poinsettias! 
Why not see other folks favourite Christmas cards with Debby who is hosting a look back over the year here.
Call me a creature of habit but I can see a theme developing, LOL.  I seem to have changed my taste through the year from cute images to the clean lines of die cutting.
You be the judge!
More from me tomorrow with my every day cards.

Is a poinsettia just for Christmas?!

Back again after another busy day at work with a little New Year card for you. 
Every year I always end up so organised that I need to make a couple of Happy New Year cards....this year is no exception, hanging my head in shame!
Here is mine......

And from the side....

Did I mention that I love this Spellbinder die?  The poinsettia is one of my all time favourite as is the Fleur de Lis square which I have mentioned in a previous posts.  (A few times!)
I have used Tim's kraft core textured card too and added dimension by sanding and using Distress ink Vintage photo.  The sentiments have come from the lovely Paula Pascual's set Christmas tree and pearls from my stash.

It's New Years eve tomorrow and I'm working afternoon into evening followed by a few quiet drinks and a trip down to the Cairn to see in the New Year.  What will your New Years resolution be?  I'd love to hear from you.  I think mine should be to keep my craft room tidy, LOL.....I don't even think that would last five minutes!
That so would be a challenge for me.  Sad but very true.
Catch you all tomorrow with my favourite cards of the year....are you going to join in too?

Especially for you!

Hi guys whilst I'm busy at work I thought I'd show you the card I made for my good buddies birthday which was Christmas Eve.
She is like me and prefers clean and simple cards.

 

This is not the best picture but in my defence the light wasn't great either.  I hate the short window for taking good photographs at this time of year....roll on the lighter nights.

 

For this card I have used the new M-Bossabilities Dainty Dots A4 folder together with one of my favourite dies Fleur De Lis Square and classic square, all by Spellbinders.  The ribbon is from my stash as are the pearls and the sentiment was created on  my computer.

I love using Spellbinders to create a frame around a lovely sentiment. 

I quite often use the computer if I want to personalise a card, how about you? 

Is there any sentiments you wish you could have made into a stamp?

I'd love to here your thoughts.....

Enjoy your weekend.  Hopefully I will get my crafting head back on next week...just waiting for magic pixies to come and tidy my craft room for me first....I get too easily distracted!

So that's it.....all done for another year!

Hi folks, well, how was your Christmas?

 

He came to our house.  Although too much fun was being had on the toy front to sit and enjoy Christmas lunch!

Five minutes at the table then I got, "we're stuffed can we go and play!"

I'm still waiting for my Christmas pud....maybe tonight?!

 

The pup had a good day too with lots of new toys.....here's her mid-afternoon....

 

Too goosed to even make it all the way in to her basket!

I have had a couple of real lazy days off, back to work tomorrow.
I'm now wishing I'd spent some time catching up on housework and crafting.  Mind you I have enjoyed chilling with the family, playing games and watching some good traditional Christmas TV.

How about you? 
Was Santa good to you?

Ho, ho, ho....he's on route....

Well, it was an early start this Christmas eve with the pup waking me at 5.30 with two lovely presents in the kitchen.  The kids then got up hearing me about...it's going to be a long day!
Goodness knows what time they'll all be up tomorrow.  Yikes....I feel an afternoon nap coming on.
Today it is my BF Gill's birthday and as I haven't popped round to her house yet I shall keep her card for another day.  I'd hate to ruin the surprise.  It goes without saying Gill that I hope you have a fabulous day dwarling.  x

So what to share today?
I thought I'd share a bit of home decor with you, this is a little something I made last year in the run up to Christmas to be displayed in Papercrafts Boutique Elgin.  I really enjoyed making it and was going to make one for home but never got around to it.

Maybe I'll get time between Christmas and New Year to do another one for next year?!

It only remains for me to wish you and your families all the very best for tomorrow....I hope you've been good!  LOL.
May Santa bring you just what you wish for, have a super day.  x

Needing a boot up the ****!

Are you ready?
Mmmm nearly time for the man in red to arrive.  Do you have excited kids?!  I do. 
I madly tackled the food shop early this morning...the kids were in the bags once I got home before I could unpack with lots gone already....not the fruit mind...strange that!
Today I thought I'd share another of my decorations from the tree.  This one I made a while a go but I love it on the Christmas tree.  Not normally a sparkly kind of gal I was surprised I like this as much as I do but then if you can't have a bit of bling at Christmas there is something wrong.  Would you not agree?
Anyway this is the boot I need up my ****!
Why, well today I was going to do a whole load of baking but after shopping and delivering Scout post with my wee one my get up and go had got up and gone!  Tea and mince pies all round instead.

The boot.....

This is a kit I bought years ago from Pin Craft, I also have the stockings, candy canes, Christmas tree and puddings...but the boot is my favourite.  The sequins really catch the Christmas tree lights.
I still have a couple of cards and presents to wrap and deliver tomorrow and maybe I'll get my baking head on?!  You never know.  I'm away to make my good friend a birthday card.....it's tomorrow!  Last minute Annie again.  Back soon.  x

Time to share!

Hi folks a late post today after work, which was crazy busy, the boys are settled in front of the X-box but hopefully keeping one eye on the pup.  She is doing really well with only the occasional accident.  When there is only us here she goes and sits by the door already but still gets a bit confused if we have visitors. 
Early days but looking good so far.

Today I thought I'd share this with you.  It is my favourite Christmas decoration by far and was made for me by my mum.  Isn't it fab.

It is a light and sits on a chunk of wood, pride of place on my mantelpiece, I have shared it before but I just love it.  Didn't she do a good job painting it? 
I love all their little walking boots, and woolly hats.

I hope you are plodding on with your Christmas organising.  I put my decorations up yesterday and have got nearly all my presents bought and wrapped. 
The turkey was purchased today so only puddings and fresh food to get. 
Note to self....remember to get normal food for other days! 
Ever get so focused on one day you forget the rest of the week?

I also need to mention this today as I didn't post yesterday.....how exciting....something in the New Year to look forwards to.

I can't wait as I love the Adorable range.

It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for the pre-Christmas weekend....I'm away for an exceedingly busy day tomorrow at work. 
Have a great weekend.  x

AWOL

Hi folks I had planned to do WOYWW today but time has ran out and now the light has faded.  I was called into work this morning and then had my son's Christmas play this afternoon....which was very exciting as the fire alarm went off and the fire brigade turning up!
What a busy day. 
I'm away to sort out tea and homework but hopefully I will find some time tomorrow to share something with you.
Happy hump day!  x

Less is more this Christmas season.....

Hi folks, the craft industry may have slowed down in the run up to Christmas as folk beaver away at home making cards and gifts but the retail trade is gearing up for the busiest time of the year.  In my defence that is where I have been picking up a few extra hours at work.
Today I'd like to share with you a gift card I made this year for all the teenagers in the family to house an iTunes voucher.  Trust me these are real LIS more cards!  LOL.

I have included a pocket inside and a greeting.  The sentiment is by Creative impressions, the bauble is SU and the die is...dare I say...Marianne designs.  I have used Hologram Super sparkle embossing powder by PI with distress ink Iced Spruce.
I am really going through a phase of simple cards just now, maybe it's the time aspect?  I do like the clean and simple lines. 
I'm away today to catch up on a mountain of ironing, housework and Christmas wrapping.  Have a great Monday and thanks for the visit.  x

Sugar bowl challenge 98

Hi it's that time again and over on the Sugar bowl blog we have our last challenge of the year for you.  Today it is a sketch from the lovely Fiona with the theme....."Let it Snow!"
Here's my take...

I have used Sugar Nellie digital image Gingerbread cookies together with paper from Papermania Home for Christmas, sentiment stamp from SU Mixed Medley plus snowflake embossing folder, Distress ink Vintage photo and image coloured with Prisma pencils.  The image is not on kraft card I decides to see how it would work on pearlescent Kraft coloured card, all sparkly in real life, nice and Christmassie!
And the sketch...

 

Up for grabs are your choice of 4 Sugar Nellie stamps....but you've got to be in it to win it! 
Enjoy the sketch and happy crafting.  x

What's on your Work desk this Wednesday? 184

Oh my, well, you asked to see my desk and here it comes, a little later than planned as I have a wee friend keeping me company, see previous post, and I was at work earlier today.  In my defence I think some pixies have been playing in my craft room and left it like this......

I did try to tidy it earlier with my little helper but gave up as I was getting no where fast, everything was being tested by mouth! 
On my desk some bits and bobs I've been using to make Christmas cards.  I really do need a clear up but then how will I find anything?
Why not pop over to Julia's blog to find out more about the phenomena that is WOYWW.
It only remains for me to say enjoy the rest of your Wednesday.  Back tomorrow with the next Sugar Bowl challenge.  x

The reason there is no crafting going on?

Hi back again but today with no crafting and the reason......

Meet Holly the new addition to our family.  Puppy training in full flow and happy kids. 
First day, tick...first night, tick, she howled a wee bit but eventually settled, then started again at 4, which was nice, then settled again just in time for the kids to wake her at 6 to play with her until school time.

I don't think I'll be getting much crafting done over the next few days, I'm going into work at some point for the rest of the week and I really should get the Christmas cards finished, decorations out and maybe a bit of present shopping!  Don't you just love not being organised?!  LOL.
Have a great Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow to show you what I am not getting done on my craft desk. 

Baubles of fun.

Hi folks, that was a busy weekend.  My boy home, the puppy has arrived and I worked all weekend.
It's a late post for me today with food shopping to get and the freezer to defrost...not to mention the next Sugar bowl card that should have been done this weekend.  Whoops!
Today whilst I'm beavering away I thought I'd share this double ended card with you.
It's magic!

 

And pulled out....

 

 

You can get the instructions of how to make this card here.....

 

I have used Spellbinder 2012 Heirloom die and Create a flake 3 together with stamps from Creative Expression and glitter from Stickles.
These are great cards to make for kids as they just can't work out how it is done. 
I have used the embossing technique on my baubles with the create a flake dies....mmmmm but you need to match up where you place them so when you 3D them together everything matches perfectly!

Just a quick post from me today as I have the puppy to check on and boys to pick up soon.  Enjoy the rest of your day, if you left me comments on my last post I'll be back later to visit.
Enjoy the rest of your Monday.

Pull my cracker it's Friday!

Slightly later than normal posting today, I've been in to work this morning but have only done half a shift as I have a sick boy at home.  Today is going to be a day snuggled up in front of the fire and maybe wrapping a gift or two.
Whilst I have my nurses outfit on I thought I'd share this little cracker with you!

You can find this template at the wonderful Waltzing Mouse website....oh my, there are some mighty fine stamps, Spellbinders and templates.  I'd like to thank Claire on the the WM site for kindly allowing me to use this template, which you can print off at home and it's free for personal use.  How fab is that.
I have also used Spellbinder dies Nestabilities labels 15, Shapeabilities Asian Motifs and Layered Poinsettia, the M-bossabilities folder is called So Trendy.  The sentiment is from Crafty Impressions with ribbon and bling from my stash.
I love these crackers and they make great little boxes for sweets, jewelry or small handmade goodies.
Again I have stuck to the LIM (less is more) approach letting the dies and template do all the work for me.
It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for the weekend.  Have a good one. 
I have my other boy coming home tomorrow as well as a day at work.....it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Have a D-liteful Thursday.

Firstly I am apologising for not visiting many yesterday for WOYWW, I intend to do that later today instead.  The reason being...?  Remember I was going into work for my Christmas lunch, yum, yum, it was very nice a thank you! 
I was asked to stay and do a few hours work. 
I then had a mad dash home, tea and back out for Judo.  Day gone!

Today I was supposed to be away to The Cutting Room in Alford to make a Tilda Santa but the weather forecast isn't great with lots of snow on route and they've got snow already through there with local schools shut.  (Doesn't bode well....I always hear a little voice in my head saying "Don't travel unless you have too!"  The reason....at this time of year if travelling and the forecast is bad it is the standard response when you ring one of the travel/weather hot lines.  It always makes me smile and is a standard joke in our house...why do they think we phone them?)
Needless to say the class is rescheduled for next week in the hope we don't get more snow and it melts a bit!
On to today and I have another simple, d-liteful card for you...(do you like my pun?)

For this card I have used the negative of Grate Works and Shapeabilities Back to basic tags, the card is navy and white, sentiments by Marion Emberson and pearls from my stash.
Another Less is more (LIS) card letting the Spellbinders do all the work for you.
That's all from me today more Christmas card production here, housework and wrapping.  Have a great Thursday.

WOYWW 183....production line time!

"It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!"  La, la, la, la, la!
It's hump day again and my desk is a production line of Christmas cards today.  I started yesterday but it will be a couple of days work. 
As I leave it late in the day I always product one style of card for most then just making special cards for close friends and family.  All I'm missing is a mince pie and some seasonal tunes. 
Half way through...not much longer to go.  I might have a break as I have a couple of teachers gifts to make for the weekend too.  What to do this year?!

So on my desk we have the card, I tend to just print a bit of the years news on my cards with a couple of recent photos of the kids, the toppers, the finished pile and envelopes, I'm writing them too as I'm going along. 
I have used the snowflake embossing folder by SU, how naughty am I but LIM!  I do like simple cards when mass producing.

Today I have a Christmas lunch at work so I better try and get a few more cards made before heading on in. 
Find more crafty fun by visiting Julia's blog our amazing host for What's on your work desk this Wednesday.  It only remains for me to thank you for your visit, I shall be wandering later in the day don't forget if you leave me a comment I'll be back to visit you first, well, it would be rude not to!
Have a great day and happy crafting.

Over the garden gate!

Morning, bespoke cards completed yesterday and the start of my Christmas card production in full swing....housework...mmmm...bare minimum completed so I could get back to crafting.  Well if it was more fun we'd all be at it!
Today I am sharing another card using the new Spellbinder D-lites.

A little bit different today?
I have used Spellbinder Shapeabilities Back to basic tags and D-lites Wrought Iron with Distress stain Antique bronze.  I have also used Distress inks Broken china, Crushed olive, Peeled paint, Pine needles and Black soot together with stamp set Find joy everyday.

I had to get a wee bit of inking in!  I love this fence and think it will also make a nice background for cute stamped images too.
I'm away to put my Christmas cards together today and maybe have some real excitement and write them too, followed by a wee bit of ironing to bring me right back down to earth.  Have a good Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow with WOYWW.

A little black and white number.

Thanks for all your lovely comments over the weekend, I hope you all had a good couple of days.  I shall be returning the favour later today once I've done a couple of bespoke cards and caught up on some housework.  Boo!

Today I thought I'd share with you another Spellbinder card with a simple black and white combo....

I have used.....Spellbinder dies...nestabilites Decorative labels one and D-lites Medallion three.  The card is black and white pearlescent with ribbons and pearls from my stash.
I love making black and white combo cards letting the dies do all the work keeping the style simple.
What's your favourite style? 
Short and sweet from me today, I had a couple of busy days at M & S which was followed by a lovely crafty day yesterday...I got 40 Christmas card toppers made, so a productive time was had.  I just now have to print off my cards then I can get my Christmas card production line up and running.
"It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!"

And for those who prefer gold.........

Today I am at our local Christmas crop and I am hoping to start some of my Christmas cards....better start with the overseas ones as I think tomorrow is the last postage day....I always miss it.
Whilst I'm in crafting heaven I thought I would share another Christmas tag with you this time I have used the new Gold Metallic Distress stain...did I mention I love these stains.....I think I did, LOL.  :D

I have used Spellbinder 2012 Heirloom die together with Shapeabilities Asian Motifs and Accents then D-lites Medallion Three, finally adding Nestabilities Labels one with a sentiment by Crafty Impressions.  The bling and fibres are from my stash and I have edged with Distress ink Walnut stain.

Our crop today is all day with Christmas nibbles for lunch and hopefully a bit of CAKE....as I mentioned earlier Crafting heaven with a foodie bonus.
More from me tomorrow, enjoy your Sunday, I shall be.  x

Tag you're it, a pinch and a punch it's the first of the month!

The first of December, yikes, how did that happen?  Did you open your calendar this morning....what did you get? 
I'm saving mine till I get home from work.

Today whilst I'm busy I thought I would share a Christmas gift tag with you. 
I don't know about you but some years I am wrapping so many presents last minute that the tags tend to be a sheet of card and a nearby punch or sticky labels printed on the computer.  I know so bad and not very creative but sometimes needs must! 
This year I thought I'd make a couple of special ones with my Spellbinder dies......maybe next year I need to start in January and make lots.  (I say that every year and get later and later!) 
Oh to be an organised person.

For this tag I have used the new Metallic silver Distress stain, oh it is fab and works so quickly.  I have used two coats of stain on this bauble which is Spellbinder 2011 Heirloom ornaments.  I have layered on top dies from Asian Accents and Classic circles.  The sentiment is from Crafty Impressions and my edges are inked with Distress ink Black Soot.  Fibres and ribbon from my stash.

I love the metallic finish of these stains and even better they react with water too like other stains from the distress ink range.  As Miranda on TV would say "Such fun!"  You shall be seeing more of these beauties that is a promise.

That's all from me this Saturday I have a date with the TV, a M & S meal deal and a glass of vino....who will be crown King or Queen of the Jungle tonight?!  That is the question.