Let it snow, let it snow....let's not!

Good morning and how are you this "hump" day?
The middle of the week already.  It is grey and overcast here this morning, but then daylight isn't really totally through yet.   Don't you just hate this time of year?  Dark going to work, dark coming home, and I only work part time.  I am finding the lighting for taking photos to share on here poor.  It's always dark!
The joys of winter time in the north of the country.  Summer time is much better as it stays light till about 11p.m.
Another quick post from me before heading into work, last night I decided to join the lovely ladies over at the Less is More challenge blog again.  This week's challenge is to use the emboss resist technique.  Here is my attempt.

I have created my snowy scene using stamps by Personal impressions, Papertrey ink and Clarity stamps, inking and embossing with white powder.  I have then added some blue and green watercolour paint before mounting on a small snippet of blue card.  I have added a tiny bit of bling and sparkle to finish.
I do enjoy this effect and already am thinking up other ideas to play with.

Yesterday I had an appointment at the opticians, I have been having problems with my current glasses so have taken the opportunity to order some new ones.  OMG how much are good quality varifocals?!  I am still in shock.  Still the new specs are all singing all dancing and I can't wait to get them.  Merry Christmas to me!
I just keep telling myself I've got to look after my eyes especially when I enjoy crafting so much.

That's all from me today folks I'm off into work to see what joys today brings.  Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday.  Don't forget it's the final episode of The Missing tonight, OMG I can't wait, it's been a real edge of the seat drama.

So you're a nail tech.

Good morning and how are you this Monday?
Bright blue skies here this morning although it's a tad chilly.  Just the way I like it, dry and clear as opposed to wet and windy.

Did you have a good weekend?
Oh my, work was busy on Saturday, followed by the rugby and a relaxing evening crocheting watching TV.
Sunday I spent most of the morning in the kitchen which reminded me why I don't do a Sunday roast every week.  That being said roast beef and all the trimmings went down well with my lot at lunch time and stopped them picking all afternoon.
I then pottered with a few jobs and more crocheting, the perfect end to a quiet weekend.

Today I have a card for you that one of my friends at work asked me to make for her.  This young lady has a big birthday and is a nail technician.

I have coloured the nail varnish bottle with my copic markers and then added glossy accents.  The file I have made from sand paper and the cuticle tool is made with a cocktail stick.  I have added a few false nails to finish on a glittery polka dot background.

I'd like to enter this into Pixie's crafty workshops snippet challenge as I have used snippets of card, sandpaper and wood.

That's all from me today, I'm off for my breakfast before heading into work with my cleaning head on.  Then it's an appointment straight from work and then pick up time from school.
Enjoy your Monday folks, I'll be back later to see what you have been up to over the weekend.

How about a little creative smile?

It's the weekend, yippee!
Time for a little creative smile or two whilst I am at work.  Let's hope it isn't as mental as it was yesterday, boy it was a busy but very quick shift.

This is what I am planning for the rest of my weekend, how about you?

But will I get away with it?

Everyone has baggage of one type or another.

If you are going to carry it around, you may as well do it in style.

And why not?  You never know when that next creative brainwave might hit. 

If you have your paper handy you're already half way there!

When I saw this next quote I knew exactly which type of person I am at the moment.

Before going back to work I would have said I was a producer but now I have less time I would say I am a purchaser.

I guess you either have the time or the money but very rarely both.

Are you a purchaser or a producer?

That's all from me today, I hope you have a lovely crafty weekend.  More from me next week. 

Time to share an oldie this Friday, it's festive style again for me.

Good morning and how are you this Friday?
Another day in work for me and I shall be heading there shortly.  I guess it will be another busy one as more and more folk are starting to shop for Christmas.

It has become a bit of a tradition over here to share an old crafty project with you on a Friday.  Today I have another Christmas card for you.

I have a Spellbinder card for you this time and it is the 3D M-bossabilities Rustic wreath.
I have used sentiment stamp Wishing you by Woodware, Ranger distress pens Fired brick and Barn door together with red Stickles.  The other Spellbinder die is Fleur de lis square and Classic petal Edgeabilities.  Finally twine, bling and the button from my stash with paper from Docrafts At Christmas.
I used Versamark in my embossing folder and then added Perfect pearl Green Patina before colouring the berries and finally adding stickles, well it wouldn't be Christmas without a little sparkle!
It would be great if you would like to join me sharing an old/previously posted handmade item from your blog.  I will visit you all over the weekend and share in the love of all things handmade.
Thank you to those of you who join me, I do enjoy my weekend visits to see an older make of yours. 
Mr Linky has been reinstalled for those who missed him last week so please feel free to join me.

It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for the coming weekend.  Have a good one.

An InLinkz Link-up

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Good evening, another week has nearly flown by and I really don't know where the days are going.
I've been in work every day this week except today, only for short shifts but by the time I have gotten home and done all the daily bits and bobs, together with odd appointments for one thing and another, the daylight has gone.
Do you get the impression that I love these dark mornings and nights, not!

I did have a treat today spending the morning being massaged.  I have been having a couple of problem areas, old injuries from work which seem to be responding well from the holistic treatments I am getting.
Once home afterwards my treatment I have to admit to being pretty spaced out and even nodding off after lunch.
I have therefore had a quiet day, chillaxing, together with finishing a card for a good friend.  After I finish here I plan going back to my crocheting, which is coming along nicely.
The housework can wait!

I don't know about you but I have certain traditions at this time of year and yesterday whilst doing the weekly food shop I thought it was about time to pick up my first Christmas decoration.
I LOVE poinsettias.

Christmas planning can now commence, I've got my poinsettia in it's rightful place ready.
Do you have a favourite plant at this time of year?

I'm making a list, checking it twice, I going to find out who's been naughty or nice!
What traditions do you have in the run up to Christmas?
I'd love to hear about them.

Oh Christmas tree, less is most definitely more!

Good morning and how are you this cold and frosty Monday morning, brrrr!
It is a tad chilly today up here, time to layer up and head into work. Before I go I thought I'd share a card that I made at yesterday's crop.

As you know time is cracking on and Christmas is getting ever nearer.  It is the time of year when I start and envy all of you who have been making festive cards all year through.  Every year I say next year I shall too, but it never happens.
With that in mind I sat at the crop wracking my brains, I need a clean and simple card that is handmade which I can produce quickly in quantities.  This is the card I came up with.

The sentiment is by Waltzing Mouse stamps;  Complements of the Season.
The trees are by Clarity stamps.  I have used  a variety of green Distress inks and my Misti to create the trees, then I have added a wee bit of glitter and a small bit of bling for the star at the top of each tree.
Simples.

I would like to enter this into this week's challenges with the lovely ladies over at the Less is More blog, where the brief this week is vintage.  I think a Christmas tree at this time of year can be classed as vintage, don't you?

I hope you all had a lovely weekend?
Mine was a bit mad with work Saturday and a crop yesterday, on the upside I managed to get 25 of these cards made whilst cropping, making a suitable dent in my Christmas card stash.

Have a lovely day today and if you are out and about wrap up warm.
I shall be back this evening to see what you have been doing over the weekend.
I am looking forwards to a sit down, cup of tea and a wee blog hop later.

It's the weekend, time for a creative smile or two.

Good morning folks and how are you this weekend?  I think it is going to be a cold one, brrr!
I'm work today so thought I'd leave you with some creative quotes that made me smile this week.
Can you guess what I'm up to? 

Yes I'm still crocheting in the background?
I do miss the series of Downton Abbey and can't believe there will be no more, lets hope at least for a Christmas special.
I did start crocheting with only cotton or wool but have since found acrylic, dare I say, it crochets very nicely.  I was pleasantly surprised.  What do you prefer?

Ladies you can keep your bags and shoes, yarn wins with me every time.

Craft spending is just so much more fun and interesting.

This final quote could apply to anything in life but when I saw it, it made me giggle.  We all have days like this.....

Wouldn't you agree?
I have to say, I can be very successful at making mistakes.  LOL.

I'm in work for a short shift today then I need to think about packing my bag for our wee crop on Sunday.  I think Christmas cards of the LIS variety will be the order of the day as I am running out of time rapidly. 
Have a super weekend folks whatever your plans.  More from me next week.

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, oldie style of course.

I don't know about you, but I don't know where this week has gone. 
I certainly haven't had any real crafting time to speak of. 
It is great that I have a crop to go to on Sunday, it might mean I actually get some more Christmas cards done.
Today, inspired by Marianne's latest makes, I have dug out a little felt number to share as my oldie this week.

These wee Rudolph's were a kit I got at Christmas a few years ago but could easily be made out of scraps of felt, a few brads and a wee bit of thread and ribbon.  I love the rustic feel of them both.

I encourage you to play along with me this week sharing an oldie on your blog too, it can be anything homemade.  Unfortunately Mr Linky ran out this week and I haven't had chance to renew. 

It has been one of those weeks!

If you would like to join in I would be grateful if you just leave a wee comment and I will pop over and catch up with you after work later today. 

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank those of you who regularly join me, I do look forwards to my hop after work with a cup of tea and fine piece.

Have a super weekend folks I hope you have some nice crafty time planned, I certainly will be making time on Sunday.

Tag you're it....Christmas style of course.

Good evening, where are the days going?  Dark before work and dark after, boo, hiss.  I don't know about your part of the world but it has definitely dropped in temperature here today.  Brrrr!  It's finally coming.  The sky went a funny colour before it went dark, you know that shade in the sky when you look up and think, oh no!  The sort of sky that spells only one thing....SNOW.  That being said it hasn't started just yet.

Have you had a good day?
I had another busy one today at work, stocking up shelves and serving the customers.  Since I've been home it has been the usual list of jobs to do.
I did stop for half an hour just to die cut my winnings from the LIS challenge.  This is one of the dies I picked with my voucher.  I thought I would get lots of use from it.  The wording comes with the tag but as separate dies.

The die is from WPlus9 and is called Christmas tag.  I thought it would be great to use at Christmas to match wrapping paper with card.  I don't know about you but I always run out of tags over the festive season and need to make more as quickly as possible.
Now just to add it to a clean and simple card.  I have had a little play but nothing as yet that I am happy with.  More time required my lord!

I think between now and the festive season my postings may become a little erratic, with my own Christmas cards and presents to make, work and extra hours at work plus all the usually daily jobs, time and energy levels seem to disappear drastically.
Oh the upside I have the hairdressers tomorrow, time for a tidy and cover up.
Then maybe a little creative time later.
Enjoy the rest of your evening.

DIY, don't mind if I do.

Hello folks, did you enjoy your weekend?
Today's post is on a DIY theme and I blame the wonders of Pinterest for this next post, on the upside I have to admit that I am happy with the results.
Recently I had shown a picture from Pinterest to my husband, well after the Christmas trees I have the feeling he is on a roll!
I had seen an idea that uses old planks of wood or skirting board to hide roller blinds at the top of your windows.
What a great idea as the rollers are not the most interesting things to look at and there is always a certain amount of light that comes through the top of them.  With the idea in my head he took me to the reclamation yard in Elgin and we picked up some skirting for a lot less than the local DIY stores.
This is the finished results.

This is the bathroom window, doesn't it look so much smarter?
I love this one in particular.

Then he tackled the kitchen, under my supervision, of course.

The kitchen isn't as obvious as the wall is white also but he also managed to attach my little gingerbread men lights too.  All ready and waiting for Christmas in my kitchen.
I think it creates a great effect for very little money.  Don't you agree?
It works so well when the background wall is a different colour.

Now the other thing I wanted to share tonight was my purchase at the auctions.  I haven't been for a while, I usually pick up small wooden items to distress or alter, at the right price.  They don't always get altered, sometimes I change my mind when home, not wanting to change them, blending them in with my other furniture.
When I saw this mirror I instantly loved the shape and thought it would be great to decoupage or paint, now I have it home I am thinking I might just clean it up and leave it as is.  Decisions, decisions.  Can you tell I am a Gemini, I can't make a decision to save my life, I always have at least two options I'd like to try.  Enough of my waffle here is the mirror, sorry again for the lighting being poor, very little light left once home from work.

Do you like the shape?  To paint or not to paint? Decoupage or leave as it is?  I just can't make up my mind.

That's all from me for today, I am fairly pooped after a few hours cleaning at work.  I have no staying power!
Enjoy the rest of your evening, I'm away for a cup of tea and to put my feet up in time to catch the first trial for I'm a Celebrity, deep in the Australian jungle.
You know what that means......it must nearly be time for Christmas.

It's the weekend, whoop, whoop, time to hook a smile or two!

Good morning and how are you this Saturday morning?
I'm just getting ready to go into work but I found a few funny creative quotes yesterday to share with you.
I am still working away on my crochet project evenings sat next to the fire with the TV in the background.  So with that in mind I have again found some more crochet quotes.

I always wonder how my yarn gets into such a mess and I don't even have a cat.

It all makes sense now.  It must be the pesky little yarn monsters! 

You just get your yarn sorted and your hook disappears. 

Who knew that couches like hooks?

My chair that I crochet at also likes scissor, needles and hooks.  One wrong move and there could be a disaster.

Finally, who do you hook for?

Sorry but I couldn't resist that last one.  You can't beat a bit of Lionel Richie. 

It only remains for me to wish you all the very best for the coming weekend.  I hope you have a good one with plenty of crafting and creative fun.

More from me again next week.

What a Spellbinding tree, sharing an oldie this Friday.

Good morning and how are you this Friday?
It's that time of the week again when I encourage you, just for the fun of it, to join me in reposting an old creative make on your blog.  I shall add a link below for you to join me and will visit anyone who plays along.  It's all about sharing your crafting journey and looking back at how styles change or maybe don't.  You be the judge!

Today I have the same Christmas tree as last Friday's oldie, but how different is the card?
This intricate tree die by Spellbinders so requires wax paper to get a nice clean cut but does means that you can keep the rest of the card quite simple in style.

For this card I have used Spellbinder M-Bossabilities folder Elegance together with 2012 Holiday tree and Shapeabilities Holiday tags.  The sentiment stamp is from PI Kirsty Wiseman's Many Greetings and the ribbon, bling and ring are from my stash.

I do hope you manage to play along with me, a big thank you for those of  you who do, as always I look forwards to my blog hope over the weekend, catching up with you all.

Time now for me to sign off and get into work.  Have a super Friday everyone, I'll be back later to catch up.

An InLinkz Link-up

It's the season to be jolly, but less is definitely more.

Evening all!
Bends knees and pulls braces.  Can you tell my Dad was in the Police?
Every time I hear that phrase I automatically bend my knees, pull my braces and think of the Police force.  Some things just stick!

How are you all?

It was a tad cold again for our morning walk today, but wrapped up warm, it was the perfect way to wake up and start the day.
I followed my walk with lots of excitement, scrubbing the bathrooms.  I know, exciting, not.
I don't know about you but I do love a clean bathroom.  There is always that added temptation to put police tape across it in order to stop anyone using it, just for the day.
I'd just like it sparkling for one day.  LOL.
Hubby was home just after lunch and today he took me for a drive out to Baxters, lots of lovely gifts and food to look through and then refreshments afterwards.
I'm enjoying the trips out when I am off work but I am not getting much done at home.
I did decide to craft once home and I have made another LIS card joining the lovely ladies on the "Less is more" blog this week.  The challenge this week is to use purple and gold on a card and keep it simple.  I don't know about you but I found this a tad challenging, the reason?  I would always tend to put purple with silver not gold.
But isn't that the point of a challenge, to get you to step out of your comfort zone and give it a go?

Sorry about the lighting on this photograph, by the time I had the card ready to photograph it was dark here, it is gold and purple, honest.

I have again used my Misti tool, first cutting out the shape using Spellbinders labels 30 whilst cutting I added embossing ink to the die so that I could add gold embossing powder once through the machine.  Then I inked and embossed Goodwill and the crown on my stamp from Waltzing Mouse Seasonal remedies, having cleaned that I then went back and inked the rest of the stamp using Distress ink Seedless preserve.  I punched two holds through the die cut and attached matching purple ribbon through it.  Before attaching to my card with tape I embossed the bottom of the card with a Craft Essentials Plaid folder.  I finished it with a tiny wee bit of bling just above the crown.

Thanks ladies for this challenge I have to say I was really surprised how well the gold went with the purple, it's just a shame that you can't get the best of the purple with the photograph, don't you just hate these early dark evenings?

That's all from me this today, I hope you have had another good day and plenty of crafty fun.  Back to work for me tomorrow and Saturday with a dine in so it will be crazy busy again.

As Arnold said "I'll be back" tomorrow with another festive oldie.  

Stay warm and cosy folks.

A little light on the subject.

Hello folks and how are you this Wednesday evening?
All I can say now is "well, today didn't turn out as planned!"
It started normally, getting the boys up and out for school.  Once the house was empty of male members the dog and I went for our morning walk along the beach.  It wasn't a bad morning considering some of Scotland was forecast snow yesterday.  Hat, scarf, coat and gloves and I was fine and toasty with the added bonus it was dry and clear.
Once back I caught up with a program I had taped whilst having breakfast, then pottered around but before I knew it hubby was home and he took me out for lunch at Allarburn Farm shop.
I can thoroughly recommend the shop for lunch, great VFM and homemade products, just head in early as the cafe can get very busy over lunchtime.
This was followed by a trip to the auctions where we left bids for four items.  I have since got a phone call to say we won two, whoop, whoop.  Shame about the third and fourth items though as I really wanted them, we had argued about the price to leave and I had wanted to put on more than we did.  It will be interesting tomorrow to find what the other items went for, better still, we better not as hubby will hate me saying, "I told you so!"
On the upside he has a great box of new to him tools which means he can get more jobs done at home.  I also have a lovely old mirror to alter.
This was then followed by a bit of shopping which included new fire baskets (our old ones are on their last legs!) and some bits and bobs for Christmas.
Needless to say I didn't get the crafting done that I had planned as by the time we got home it was time to pick up the kids and start tea and homework.  On the kid front I was impressed with my youngest child's school reports last night, a couple of areas to work on but on the whole the feedback was very encouraging as he settles into big school.

I just had to show you one of my purchases, I could not resist!

Aren't they cute.  Little gingerbread men cutters with lights!
I have hubby working on a wooden pelmet to cover the top of my blind (Pinterest has a lot to answer for!) in the kitchen and I thought I could put these on them in the run up to Christmas.

The other new I have for you.....remember last week's entry to the Less is More Challenge blog, you can see it here.
Would you Adam and Eve it, I only won a prize.  I don't very often enter challenges with work commitments, crafty work and usually "mummy stuff" so I was tickled pink to do so especially as it was their 300th celebration.
Thank you so much ladies you have fairly made my day.  

Sorry nothing crafty to share today I've just been sat repeating yesterday's card with my Misti in the hope I do have a few handmade cards to send next month.
Tomorrow is another day and I am not working so I do hope to fit a little crafting around the housework.....watch this space.

Take care folks and before I go I must just add GOOD LUCK to America after today's results.
Oh me, oh my what have ya'll done!
Lets hope it is good news and not bad but I can't help feeling it will be more doom and gloom than joy and happiness.  Only time will tell.

Oh Christmas tree, CAS all the way.

Good evening and how are you this Tuesday?
A busy day for me in work today followed by a busy evening.  I am out soon for my youngest first parents evening at his new school.  It is going to be a long night!  Let's hope it is a good one though.

Whilst I am busy I thought I would share you another of Christmas card design that I have been playing with.  I am afraid it is another retake on a style of card from last week, loving my chevron SU punch just now.  It might not be Christmassy but it is certainly getting a look in this festive season.

LIM all the way with me at the moment.  Again I have used my Misti tool with stamps and die from Papertrey ink Tags and tinsel.  The green cord was from a flower bouquet and the green bazzill card is from my stash.  I have used Walnut stain, Twisted citron and Peeled paint distress ink plus black for the sentiment.  I have finished with a little bit of bling.

That's all from me, I'm off now back to school!
I will be back either later to catch up with you all or tomorrow when I have a day off.
Enjoy the rest of your evening.

What would you rather be "rustic" or "distressed" at Christmas?

Good morning and how are you this Monday morning?
Cloudy skies here in the north but there is blue behind, here's hoping the latter prevails today.  Mind you it has definitely gone down a few notches in the temperature scales.  For me a perfectly good excuse to stay in the warm and craft but I'm off to work with my cleaning head on.
Before I go I thought I'd share the finished palette trees that I challenged my hubby to recently.
Now I have the problem of which one do I like the best.
One tree has been left totally rustic and just waxed with a clear wax.

It is just over three foot tall with the star and I love the fact that all the imperfections in the wood and the bark are highlighted by the wax.  Sorry not the best photographs as they were taken in the dark this morning.

The second has been painted with white chalk paint, then a dark wax added before polishing back, giving it a distressed feel about it.

The nature of the wood means that each tree will be slightly different.  I love them both but can't make up my mind as to which one I really prefer.

I have now purchased some green chalk paint, that will be the next challenge set.
I should not give myself so much choice, as I can't make a decision to save my life!

Did you have a good weekend?
I had a crazy busy shift at work on Saturday, Christmas is coming!
This was followed by a relaxing evening in, crocheting and catching up with Strictly followed by a family movie night which ended up being a lot later than planned.  With that in mind the FFF on Sunday ended up being a very chilled out, relaxing day at home with brunch and an afternoon of crocheting.  Not a bad way to spend a wet, chilly Sunday afternoon.

That's all from me today, off to work I go.
I shall be back later with a cup of tea and will catch up with everything you have been up to over the weekend.
Happy crafting!

It's the weekend time for a creative smile or two.

It's the weekend I would say yippee but I am working every Saturday on my new shift pattern, it is just a short shift for now but I'm sure it will stretch out as we get nearer to Christmas.  Whilst I am away I thought I would leave you with a few creative funnies hopefully to make you smile.
To start it is the 5th of November today, Guy Fawkes night. 
Are you going out this evening to an organised event? 
We have two locally but it will depend on the weather if we go or not.  My eldest isn't interested, another festival that he has grown out of, boo, so we will have to wait and see what the evening brings. 
Whilst sat last night looking for quotes I came across this and thought it fit the occasion perfectly.

How different the celebration would have been if it had been a sunflower, treacle and pop!

I have been full steam ahead on my crochet project this week and therefore my crafty features have a hooking feel to them.  First of all, this is me most evenings.....although the tea might be occasional replaced by something a tad stronger!

This is me at the moment.  Getting ready for Christmas!

This is so me too.  I was crocheting before I switched the computer on to write this post, so guess it is very true.

Finally this last quote is for all of you out there who try and craft with animals present.  I don't know about you but I am regularly joined by a little friend who likes to distract me, sit on my wool, pinch my wool, you know the picture.

Holly hasn't worked this out yet.  I wonder how long it will take her?  It certainly would work in this house and it did make me smile.

That's all from me today, I plan on a little more crocheting later depending on our Guy Fawkes experience. 

Then we have planned a little FFF day tomorrow. 

What is FFF I here you cry?

This is what one of my friends calls a family day out with teenagers.  FFF = Forced family fun!

You will go out as a family and you will enjoy yourself!

Or as my kids think, time for the parents to get their own back.  :)

Enjoy your weekend folks whatever you have planned, I hope you have a good one. 

More from me on Monday.

Oh Christmas tree, how fine you are to me. Oldie style of course.

Good morning and how are you this Friday?
Another day for me in work so without further ado I shall bring on my oldie.

For this card I have used Spellbinder dies, Grand Scalloped squares, 2012 Holiday tree and Shapeabilities Fancy tags.  The sentiment is again from Many Greetings.  The paper is MME 12 days of Christmas and the bling is from my stash.  This is a whopper card at 8 inches, not my normal size that is for sure.

I'd love it if you could join me sharing an oldie this Friday.  What is it all about?
Well, I encourage you to re-post a earlier piece of your handmade works and link up with me below.  
I find it fascinating seeing everyone's crafty journey, how fashions change and even go around in circles.  I shall visit anyone who links up with me below and can't wait to see what project you have picked for this weekend.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who regularly join me on a Friday or Saturday with your oldies, it means a lot to me that you play along.  I enjoy my catch up with you all.

As Halloween is now official done and dusted and we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK I thought I'd start and bring out some Christmas oldies.  Feel free to join me but it is not a requirement.

This is very true in retail, thankfully we don't have music in our store.  Two months of wrap around Christmas carols might just send me over the edge!

That's all from me today, enjoy your weekend and I shall be back to check out your oldies later after work.  More from me tomorrow.

An InLinkz Link-up

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Good morning and how are you this Thursday?
It is dreich again here today, which made for a lovely wet walk along the beach this morning.  It really doesn't have the same appeal in the dark, cloudy and wet mornings, which is such a shame.  On the upside we were the only ones on the beach, the dog and I.

A day off for me today before the weekend rush at work.  Things are definitely ramping up for the festive season now, whether we like it or not Christmas is coming, full steam ahead.
Lots of the usual housework and less interesting things I should be doing but I thought I'd start the day with another CAS Christmas card.  This time I am playing along with Pixie's Snippet playground.

Again as on Tuesday I have played with my Misti and stamps/dies and papers by Papertrey ink, Tags and tinsel.  I finally settled on a little teal and red combo and a different twist to using the bauble die.
The wee snowman is a separate stamp to the Merry Christmas circle so I used my old Tombo pens (purely because I have tidied my craft room and now can't find my distress pens.  Argh!
It always happens when I tidy, now where did I put them?!) to colour him in.  Another great benefit of using the Misti being able to come back and add more details.  Now to just rattle a few more off to add to my very small stash of Christmas cards before coming up with another design.

That's all from me today.  I better go and crack on with the boring stuff in order that I can come back to play, I mean craft, later.  Enjoy Thursday everyone, I'll be back tomorrow with an oldie.  Catch you then.

Clean and simple all the way with that happy fella Noel!

Good morning and how are you this Tuesday?
It is a beautiful sunny crisp day here in the north of Scotland which makes a lovely change after the constant rain we had yesterday.
My morning walk along the beach was brisk.  The sea was a little choppy and as you looked out over the horizon you got that early morning tickle in the face that says "wake up sleepy head!"
So much quicker than waiting for caffeine to kick in the system.

Did you have many little ghosts and ghouls guising last night?
We didn't get one.  Much to the delight of my kids who tucked into the basket of sweets and home bakes I'd made.
I guess it's a sign that my kids are growing up although they're quite happy to eat the rewards!
Here are my quick bakes after work.  Rice crispy cakes, always a kid winner and some vanilla cupcakes.  I have added some Halloween sprinkles and spiders to add to the spooky night, even though it was very quiet here.

I also have two pumpkins that were untouched so I think I shall be making a job lot of pumpkin soup later today and I am contemplating having a go at roasting the seeds too.  I do love a pumpkin seed, maybe with a little cinnamon and brown sugar, mmmm.
I will have to see how time goes as I have food shopping and ironing to bag first.  The joys of a day off work.

On to crafting and today I have decided to join the lovely gang over at Less is more again.
The challenge this time is celebrations and festivals.  I have taken this as an opportunity to crack on with some much needed Christmas cards.

This is my first finished card using my Misti.  It is brilliant for multi layering stamps.  This stamp set is by Papertrey ink and is from the Tinsel and tags range.  I loved this Noel stamp but previously hadn't much success getting a good black finish, now I had the ability to re-stamp over my original image again and again I could get a much crisper deeper colour.  It was also then perfect to add the little leaves stamping first in Twisted citron then stamping again the second time on the bottom edges with Peeled paint.  I did the same with the berries using Barn door then Fired brick on the bottom edge.  The I cut the bauble using the matching dies with the Tinsel and tag range, adding a wee bow and a bit of bling.  On the background card I have used my SU chevron die and added black card to the rear.  I did play around with sequins and bling but in the end I preferred the clean and simple finish.
I think I might be making a few of these cards, plus in the set there are other similar stamps.  I wonder which one will be next?

Thanks for popping by today, I hope you have a lovely Tuesday.  I'm away to crack on with my boring old jobs in the hope I get some more crafty time later.  More from me tomorrow, happy crafting to you all.