Clean and simples again Papertrey ink style.

Whilst you are reading this I shall be beavering away in work but I thought I'd share this with you.  Remember back on Tuesday I made a card for a friend of the family and her new wee addition?  Well, this is the one I sent to Grandma and Uncle John to also celebrate the arrival.  I wanted to keep with the theme of the birth but just do it slightly different. 
Thanks again to the lovely Elaine for this set too.  Mwah!

The die cut and stamp are Papertrey ink Framed out #12 and the embossing folder is Spellbinder So Trendy.  The rest is from my stash.
Oh I can see me doing a lot more cards in this style another less is more. 

Both my boys are out walking today so I do hope the weather holds out for them.  My eldest is doing a sponsored walk for school and the youngest visiting the next village for a picnic. 
I think the foot spa might be out later!

Have a super weekend what ever you have planned, I'm in work early tomorrow and plan on having a day out with my boys Sunday.  Happy crafting and I'll be back Monday.  x

And now for something completely different......no not part of a comedy sketch...and yes it's still crafting!

So I'm sat here with the words "and now for something completely different" running around in my head thinking it's a catch phrase from a comedy show.  Was it Not the Nine o'clock news?  I don't think so.....Monty Python maybe?  I think so.  I love Monty Python sketches "The Ministry of funny walks" and "The dead parrot sketch" are two of my favourites and still make me giggle.  I bought the box set for my eldest boy at Christmas to share the joy and he now sits watching it sniggering.  I do think the humour was so out there at the time it was produced but still very clever and funny today.

Anyway back to crafting and as I've mentioned in previous posts my good friend Irene who is right handed has been trying to teach me, a left hander how to crochet.  Up to now I have just been making dish cloths as I work on the principal that at least they're useful. 
Who would have expected them to be so popular?
I'm on my fifth one already having been asked for the last couple.  I used the first one at the weekend, finally plucking up courage to.  It is little oddly shaped being my first and with a few missing stitches but it works well and has washed out beautifully.
The life of a dish cloth maker!  I can feel a story coming on.  LOL.
Anyway at our crop the weekend just gone I wasn't feeling great and was not in the best of humour initially so Irene took me to task and started me on a flower pattern.  Here are the results in order.
The first is a bit wobbly and loose with a short top, the second a bit better all round but still loose then last night I sat with the same idea but changed the pattern a wee bit and as a result the third flower. 

I have used cotton thread for the first too but just loved the multi colour of the third yarn and had to have it.  I don't know why do you?  :)
So it's onwards and upwards on the crochet front.  I am so keen to get on with some granny squares just now, you would not believe.  Sad but true.  It's such a shame I have another mountain of ironing to tackle and I am doing an extra shift at work tomorrow. 

I better go and get moving, I've got my pals dog and mine to walk today and my boy home for lunch again.  Enjoy your Thursday and I'll be back tomorrow with another LIS card.

Remember the magic?! With a little Spellbinding Saturated canary help again.

Hi folks back again mid afternoon, it is becoming a bit of a habit.  I don't know where the days are going just now.  Today I only have two dog walks, food shopping and washing under my belt but I am hoping to have some crafty fun later.  Now that my craft room is all neat and tidy I can feel a little inspiration coming on.  Funny that now it's tidy I feel the need to craft!

Now before I start I have some sad news, remember yesterday I mentioned that I was meeting my boss Jan from Personal Impressions? 
We had a lovely lunch and good chat about all things crafty.  There was another reason for the meet....it is with great sadness that I have handed over my roll at PI demonstrator for the North of Scotland.  Since working at M & S I have been unable to commit to both companies as they both want me on a Saturday.  I don't know whether I have made the right decision.....I tend to be pants at decisions, but only time will tell.
In saying that you don't get rid of me that easily as I intend to work independently when I can and I have already got dates set up to work through in The Papeterie later in the year. 
I also have a few other ideas up my sleeve which now I should have the extra time to do. 
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Jan for all her support and to PI for the use of such fine crafting products.....I am well and truly hooked on Spellbinder products now and don't I intend that to stop. 
On that note have you seen the new Christmas dies?  Ooooh! 
Which ones do you fancy and you can't say all of them!!

Anyway enough of my waffle and back to what I wanted to show you crafty wise.  Remember my earlier post where I did the "Magic" card? 
It was my nieces birthday earlier in the week and she is a big crafty fan, it's just a pity she lives so far away as I think we'd have a ball in my craft room together.  I thought she would love this card so I decided to make one instead of a standard birthday card.

 

 

You can catch my earlier post here with a link to where to get the instructions to make it.

 

For this one I have again used a SC image Lilliana with Spellbinder dies Labels 21 and Fancy tags.

The butterflies are from SU Sizzix Beautiful wings. 

She rang me on her birthday and thought it was magic and now wants to know how to make one next time I see her.

 

That's all from me today, every time I end my post like that I hum the Warner brothers tune.....that's all folks!

Is it just me?  Aye probably.  x

Clean and simples!

Morning, and it is today.  Busy catching up on some housework this morning, boo, hiss, but just thinking of all that body magic....if you know Slimming world...you know what I'm talking about. 
Today I want to share a clean and simple card I made last week for a good friend of the family who had a baby girl.  I'm sure I mentioned in an earlier post.  I can't wait to catch up with Poppy next time I'm home and have a wee bosie.

I have used my birthday present from the lovely Elaine, a stamp and die set from Papertrey ink Framed out #11, together with a pram charm and some scraps of pink card stock and pink ink.
I'm loving less is more just now. 

Another short post for me today as I am planning on lunch out with my pal and boss Jan from Personal Impressions...I'm sure crafting might come up in conversation.  LOL.
Have a super Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow with more.  x

What a day....oh I do like to be beside the seaside!

Hi folks another late post from me today.  I have been in my craft room all day today and have had a very good tidy up.  OMG I have desks, draws and a floor!!  Whoop, whoop, and it only took all day.
Yesterday we had a good giggle at our local crop all though I didn't do much I did learn to crochet a flower which I will share with you later in the week....it will make you smile!
Today I wanted to share a canvas I made for my monthly post over at It's a Creative World. 
This stamp so reminded me of our local beach so I just had to have it to make a canvas with.

 

 

The stamp is by Molly Blooms Seaside huts.  I have coloured with my copic markers.  The frame has been coated with white acrylic paint then distressed with vintage photo.  The canvas is inked with Distress Broken china, picket fence and brushed corduroy.  The paper and tiles I've had for ages so can't supply details....probably not made anymore but I guess behind every crafter is a bit of a hoarder....or is that just me?!

 

I now just need to put it up in the house somewhere.

 

That's all from me today, short but sweet....more tomorrow.  Take care.  x

It's magic Saturated Canary style with a touch of Spellbinders!

 

Today I have a bit of magic for you.  Why, whilst I'm typing this am I thinking, in a Paul Daniels voice, "that's magic!"

Yes I know...one crazy lady but that is what I am thinking.

Today I am sharing a silent video.  I have been asked a few times to do on-line tutorials but I hate the sound of my own voice.  So think Charlie Chaplin in colour whilst watching this very quick clip!

The thing is with this card today if I was just to show you the card you wouldn't get the full impact of how it works so it was a necessary evil, I just hope it works.

Now I can't take the credit for this idea as I found the instructions on good old You Tube here with many thanks to Christina Griffiths for sharing.  This is a great card to do for kids as both mine have said "Wow, how do you do that?"

 

To the photographs....

 

This is the card shut.

This is it open.

To make the card I have used Spellbinder dies Ornate Square, Classic circles and Decorative labels eight, together with SC image Lilliana, coloured with copic markers.  The paper is from MME and textured cardstock.  The sentiment it from Hero arts Anytime messages and the ribbon and embellishments are from my stash.
It really looks difficult to make but is quite easy you just need to make sure that the two different images match up exactly or "the magic" doesn't work.
That's all for me today.  I was absent this morning as I was away to weigh in at Slimming World, I've changed sessions to a Friday morning.    Whoop, whoop I got my 3 stone award today.  Happy, happy, happy and a good start to the weekend.  Have a good one.  I'm in work tomorrow and then cropping on Sunday so another busy couple of days.
Happy crafting and I'll be back next week with more.  x

More tag fun with a Spellbinding twist......let the summer begin!

I was going to say "morning" but by the time I finish posting it probably won't be.  Whoops, where did this morning go?  A couple of phone calls and a long walk with the dog....there was my morning gone!
Today I want to share with you my favourite tag, I can't believe I haven't done this before now. 
You know when you just have a eureka moment?  This was one I shall be repeating.

I have used Crushed olive in my Spellbinder 3D Delightful daisy's embossing folder.  I have then added different shades of perfect pearls using Versamark ink and a dauber before applying the powder.  I love the shimmering effect you get from this technique, I think it works really well with this folder.  To finish I have distressed the edges with Vintage photo Distress ink and added a gold satin ribbon which has been stamped using a sentiment from Crafty impressions Star greetings, the pearls and lace are from my stash.

Dig out those perfect pearls ladies and have a play, I'd forgotten how much fun you can have with them.  I shall definitely be doing more.
Have a super Thursday and I'll be back again tomorrow.  x

Tag-tastic inky fun with a touch of Spellbinder magic!

Morning, yes it still is and I'm posting!  Got a few cards to make this morning and as the dog is now walked and happy I can crack on.  It's a beautiful day outside, bright blue skies, washing on and time to get my craft on.
Today I wanted to share with you this tag....

I have used Peacock feathers and Vintage photo distress inks together with Tarnished brass distress stain.  The papers are MME Miss Caroline and the Spellbinder dies are D-lites Bird cage 1 and Back to  basic tags.  The stamps are from Crafty impressions Butterflies and Inkadinkadoo Utopiary.  The lace bling and ribbon are from my stash.
Now I say this every time I do enjoy playing with tags, don't ask me why, I just do.  I always mean to do so many more.  I started Tim's 12 tags of 2013 this year with vim and vigor...oh I have so much catching up to do! 
Still on the upside I did finish all the ironing yesterday but why is putting it away so much more of a chore?  Boo to housework.
Anyway folks cards to make and things to do, enjoy your hump day! 

Before I go I thought I'd link to the fab Christina's instructions on you tube of how to make the card on yesterday's post.  Happy crafting!

Spellbinding labels.

Evening all, what started as a morning post yesterday has slipped to an evening post today.  Whoops!
Sometimes getting out and about just gets in the way of blogging....but isn't that how it should be?
With all the lovely weather we've been having you've just got to get out and make the most of it.  This morning as I walked the dog along the beach a pod of dolphins swam by playing behind a boat...I never ever tire of seeing them and each time is magical.  What a great start to the day.

Yesterday I went to a new craft shop in Forres as they hold a craft and chat once a month on a Monday morning at 10.30.  I took some crocheting and met a few new faces and a couple I haven't seen in a while so that was a nice start to the week. 
Today having caught up on the ironing I have been making a couple of cards for a new addition in our extended family...well not strictly family but you know those really good friends you like to think of as family?  I will share them at a later date.

Back to my demo samples and this is a card made using my spellbinder dies.

For this card I have used Spellbinder labels 8 and Decorative labels 8 together with papers from MME The sweetest thing Bluebell and Saturated canary image Honey, coloured with copic markers.
To create the Spellbinder card I cut one decorative labels 8 as normal and then another with a one inch flap at the top that folds over, this then attaches to the other label cut earlier and you get the whole of the die shape for the card.  Make sense?!  I hope so.  If you don't use the flap and make a card the tendency is to loose part of the shape with the fold...this way you don't.  Clever eh!  When cutting the label with the flap remember just to keep it under the last of the cut on the die, that way the fold stays in tact.

I have kept the card simple as I like to when using the intricate dies.....I personally like it that way, but that is just my opinion and style just now.
That's all from me today, hopefully I should be back tomorrow morning....depending on what the day brings of course.
Happy crafting. x

Another re-jig Saturated canary style.

Hi, thank crunchie it's Friday!
Don't know why I said that as I'm in work early tomorrow and it's Dine in weekend...a busy day ahead then.  The day will go super fast. 

This morning however I am having a rare treat and having my hair cut and coloured at the hairdressers....I normally just get it cut and colour it myself.  So with this in mind I have scheduled this Thursday instead.  Get me being organised!  So not me. 
This card today is a remake of one I made earlier here. 
Click on the link for instructions and dimensions of the card.

For this card I have used Spellbinder dies Classic scallop edgeabilities, Decorative labels 22 and Fancy tags two.  The SC image is Little ladybug and the papers are MME Miss Caroline.  I have coloured the image with copic markers and Distress ink Vintage photo.  The sentiment is again from Inkadinkadoo and pearls and seam binding from my stash.
I love these 3d cards and they fold flat into a 6" envelope although with all the extra layers you'd still pay large letter postage.

It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for the weekend whatever you have planned.

I'll be back very soon!

Fluttering by papillion style!

Good morning all, I had a wee detour this morning as I ended up driving my boy to school.  Whilst in town I did some food shopping saving me going in tomorrow.  A "top up run" as I like to call them....putting off the huge weekly shop just a little while longer.
As for the rest of the day I still didn't get near my ironing pile yesterday...it's the fear of the climb! 
I also have something to make for my Saturday post over on It's a creative world. 
There is nothing like leaving everything to last minute. 
On the upside all Father's day gifts and cards are done and organised, just got my nieces birthday on Monday now.
I also had some exciting news yesterday which I need to work on to later today, I will have to fill you in on that at a later date....how naughty am I?!  Another project in the making!
Back to my cards from Saturday and this one is for all you ladies who love butterflies....

And from the front....

For this card I have used papers from MME Miss Caroline, isn't it cute?  I love the little butterflies.  The sentiment is Inkadinkadoo Thoughts for the day and the Spellbinder dies are D-lites Ornamental tags two and Les Papillions two with pearls to finish.
In the Papillion set of dies you two dies of each butterfly I have used one to cut the butterfly paper and the other to cut the butterflies.  One cuts a clear butterfly shape and the other cuts a filigree butterfly.  They both work beautifully put together too.

That's all from me today, back again tomorrow with some more.

Wishing you a D-Litefull day!

Hi back again as promised and today with another Spellbinder card.

For this card I have used a frame using Ornate Squares and negative image from D-Lite die Medallion Seven.  Before I cut the Medallion Seven die I added gold ink to my die from a Tsukineko Delicata ink pad Golden Glitz, this gives the effect of matting and layering with out actually doing so.  I have then layered the card together with 3d foam and added a bit of bling with the card stock from The Papeterie in Aberdeen.
Another simple card that could be used for any occasion. 

What's on the cards today?  (None!)
You know when you have one of those weeks that you just don't feel the best but for no reason?  That's been me this week but I have beavered on, as you do.  Today I'm catching up on a few odds and ends and some housework.  I have a mountain of ironing that may just be in need of a rope and crampons to tackle it!  You think I'm joking?!
Believe me I am not.
It's also Father's day at the weekend so I better get my thinking cap on.

Time for a little Ornate Spellbinding time....

Afternoon, I've pottered around this morning tidying and doing a few jobs.  Still beautiful outside so keen to do some more gardening later....I believe the weather is forecast to change later in the week...plenty time for housework and crafting.
I had a friend around earlier who wants some help creating a scrapbook or mini book so a wee chat and cuppa in the garden, was in order.  Just got time now to update my blog before my wee man comes home for lunch.
Now I don't want to fall off your chair but I have only used one Spellbinder die set for this card!
I know that is so unusual for me and I must apologise....I usually get guys saying at demonstrations, but why did you have to use so many sets, now I NEED them all!
All part of my vicious plan to get you as hooked as me....cackle, cackle!  Mwah!
I thought this set was so good on it's own it didn't need more.

For this card I have used Shapeabilities die Ornate Squares with a standard 6" easel card.
The embossing folder is A4 Dots also by Spellbinder with the sentiment by Crafty Impressions Butterflies.  I have added ribbon and pearls from my stash and have layered the different dies with 3d foam even the wee corners came from the tag cast offs.  Waste not want not!
The paper is from The Papeterie, I love working with their shimmery card stock when using Spellbinders....it's a marriage made in heaven!
Keeping it simple and letting the dies do all the work.

Right time for me to put on some lunch, back again tomorrow with some more crafty exploits. 
Enjoy the sunshine.  x

May you have a Spellbinding day!

Hello again and I'm back as promised, a little later than planned but as always there is a good reason behind that.  After a busy weekend at M & S and through at The Papeterie in Aberdeen, today I enjoyed a day in the garden sorting it out and potting out the rest of my bedding plants and having a good old tidy up. 
It is glorious up here today, as the song goes....."the sun is out, the sky is blue, there's not a cloud to spoil the view!"
Plus my garden is now looking a lot better than it was.
I've even managed lunch out and a couple of dog walks.  I will be tired tonight.com.  Far too much excitement for one day!

Back to the first of my card samples for Aberdeen and this is a re-jig of one I made earlier as it was so popular.

For this card I used Spellbinder embossing folder Framed Petite labels together with Nestabilities die labels 21 and Shapeabilities die Fancy tags 2.  The key and lock are from the D-lites die Love locket.
To make the card I coated the folder with Versa mark ink and then put it through the Calibur.  I then coated  the card with Perfect pearls silver powder.  The dies were then placed on top and the sentiment from Inkadinkadoo Thoughts for the day was added together with a satin bow and pearls.
I love the shimmer you get from this technique, you really need to give it a go....it looks so much better in real life and perfect for Wedding and Anniversary cards.

That's all from me today...back tomorrow with more.  Enjoy the sunshine.

Still beavering away...but hoping for sometime to play with this next week....

Back again today with just a couple more samples to come up with for my demonstration on Sunday at the Papeterie from 11 till 4, in Aberdeen.  I have an unusual problem this time mind, so many ideas rattling around in my head, what to finish off with?  Decisions, decisions.  This is not the norm, believe me!

At the moment next week for me is pretty free although with it being fitness week at school I might get roped into something there.  Still got a lot around the home I want to do and I am definitely going to find time to practise some more of this....

 

I have been set another challenge by my pal Irene before I can start on Granny squares so next week....let the challenge commence!

 

Here's hoping the weather is as good next week as it has been this, we spent a couple of hours yesterday late afternoon on our local beach....it was packed...see...

 

The only ones on the beach!
Who needs to go abroad when we've got this on the doorstep.  Even the pup loves a good paddle now.

Anyway folks, have a super Friday, if you are in Aberdeen Sunday don't forget to pop in and say hi it would be great to see you.  I'm up early tomorrow for my stint at M & S, I think BBQ and picnic stuff might be the order of the day.
Have a super weekend whatever you are up to and I will catch you again Monday with the start of my samples from the demo.

Happy crafting!

Whilst at play....today's words of wisdom! With a crafty feel in the best colour of all.

Back again.
Whilst beavering away in the background I thought I'd share with you this quote....from one of my favourite inspirational sites Pinterest.

 

For years I have always tried to please other people, doing what they wanted me to do or what I thought they wanted me to do.  

Then it eventually hits you like a bullet and you realise that you can't please everyone all of the time.

So what to do?

That is where this picture above comes in. 

Be yourself no matter what.

If folk don't like you for who you are, faults and all, then it's tough for them and it's their loss not yours.

 

That's my wisdom for today, LOL. 

I've now got off my soap box and back in my crafty chair.

Enjoy the sunshine. 

Crafty hugs.  x

My wee man's birthday cake "May the fort be with you!"

 

Hi I thought I'd share a picture of the other birthday cake I mentioned on my blog in a previous post.  I had made my boy a chocolate fudge cake on his birthday but on Saturday night he had a pool party at our local swimming baths followed by tea at Scribbles.  He is not called Ryan but the photos I took don't do the cake justice.  Click here for a better view.

When it comes to cakes I normally try and make one or end up dashing out last minute to the local supermarket.  This year I decided as I'm at Marks and Spencer's I would try one of theirs.  I was not disappointed.  It was a lovely light sponge, great butter icing and really fruity jam, decorated beautiful.  All the kids loved it, as did I!

I sometimes find other birthday cakes a little sickly, too sweet, if you know what I mean?

This was not and was a pure joy to eat....even the dragon...got it!

So if you are looking for a super cake for a special occasion.....you know where to go. 

It can be ordered on-line and picked up at the store in Elgin for no extra charge.

 

I was so impressed I thought I just had to share.com!

Motoring along, it's tractor time.

Morning all and what a beautiful morning it is too.  Yesterday I eventually managed to get in a bit of gardening sorting most of my pots out only to find "more bedding plants required...my Lord!"  A job to finish at a later date.  I never get enough.

I feel a little bit like Widow Twanky today as my washing machine has been going full throttle since early morning......keen to get all my bedding and clothes done and out whilst the weather is good.  If only it wasn't followed by a mountain of ironing, which is definitely the downside of trying to do it all in one day.  Half way through the household bedding as we speak, exciting.com!

I had an unexpected super day out yesterday with my pal Irene as she was dropping off some lovely craftiness at Eileen's house in Fogwatt, a lovely little village.  We were spoilt with tea and homemade fruit cake and a lovely crafty chat, this was followed by another "ladies wot lunch" session at Speybay.  The weather was beautiful and the views stunning, my soup and cheese scone wasn't bad either.
I paid for it at Slimming world last night with a "wee gain" whoops!  That will be the birthday cake and all other manor of lovelies that I had last week after hitting my target.  Guess I'll have to be better behaved this week, boo!  (I do like my cake and scones!)

After a lovely walk along the beach this morning with my pal Gill it's time to get in my craft room and get my thinking cap on.  Why?  Well this Sunday I shall be at the Papeterie in Aberdeen for a Spellbinding demonstration.  I'm looking forwards to it and with lots of ideas in my head, I can't wait to get started.
So I guess the rest of this week I will be quiet on here as I am trying to get those creative juices flowing but I will be back next week to show you what we got up to.
Have a super time this week as I believe we are going to have nice weather all week, yippee, Summer is finally here!
Finally I shall leave you with this card today, Happy 50th Gavin, I hope you liked your card.  x