Before I go today check out My Desert Cottage, and the beautiful giveaway.

Stunning work and fab prize, would love to create work like this.

Kirsti thanks for the link on your blog.  xxx 

Thanks to my craft buddy Kirsti for this award.

The rules are no.1  Pass it on, no.2  List 10 things that make me happy.

So first I'd like to pass this on to: 

Marlene

Gayle

Beckie

Fiona

Jacqui

Sarah

Sharon

Judy

Now onto 10 things that make me happy:

1.  My boy's.........all the time xxx but especially sleeping and not fighting!

2.  Time to craft on what I want to do.

3.  A tidy house....which doesn't happen very often!

4.  Chocolate especially Dairy Milk, Galaxy bubbles and Thorntons Desserts.

5.  Food be it homebakes or a good curry!

6.  A nice glass of red wine...two even happier :-)

7.  A brandy with peppermint!

8.  Cropping with fella crafters.

9.  Attending crafty classes and learning something new.

10.  Gosh I should really place hubby somewhere so what can I say about him.........

.....still thinking..........erm......he looks good in his "grow bag!"  LOL!

So guys here is my challenge results for the Bubbly Funk forum. 

The Vanilla Sugar challenge this month, being February was to create a "Hanging heart". 

Guess what?  I've done exactly that!

I have used some hearts I bought, I think, from Panduro a few years ago, because I loved their shape.

The scraps of material I founds in my box of bits in the loft and the raffia was on a recent bouquet of flowers, reuse recycle...my kids would be pleased!

The lettering is sizzlets bounce to match the material.

I'd like to thank the Bubbly funk guys for another great challenge and for finally getting me motivated to do something with these lovely hearts.  I have kept them simple as I tend to keep my house quite minimal...less housework more craft time.....oh yes, there is method in my madness, lol!  :-)

In saying that I love the whole American New England shabby country craft style....all be it this with a twist of me.

To all fella crafters out there thanks for stopping by....and happy crafting.  xxx 

Look at what I got in the post from the lovely Susan today.....ain't it fab?

This was a swap over on the Bubblyfunk forum in which we filled large matchboxes with embellishments of a desired colour choice....guess what colours I asked for, lol!

Thank you very much indeed Susan, looking forwards to playing with them.

I sent my box to Wendy who asked for green and brown see my earlier post.

We all seem to have had a great swap, thanks Wendy for organising it.

On to today....this is the card and little keyring I've made for my pal Gayle to welcome the arrival of little Maya.  The stamp is from Hanglar Stangler and is Bee, the papers are from Flair baby girl.  The little mum mini book is from More than Words.  The rest as usual is stash found kicking around!  (Got a bit of that!)

I really enjoyed making this card and loved playing with the stamp...thanks Karen.  I started the card whilst having a girlie craft together with Pam and Karen but I think I was doing most of the crafting guys, lol!!! 

You know what I mean.  I was just happy to be out playing.

Arh well, as they say on cartoon time "that's all for now folks!"

Have a great day and if you get time to craft....even better!

This the card that I have made for my niece to celebrate the arrival of her baby brother.

I thought the stamp from Sugar Nellie "Manga kids" was so appropriate for her and the papers are from Deja Views "little ones" collection.

The other embelishments I found in my craft room...it's amazing what you can find after a tidy up!

Let's hope she likes her card.

Can you guess who this card is for then?  Yep this one is for my brother and partner...again I have used the Deja Views "little ones" collection so that everything matches.  The stamp is baby bunny from SN also....I just love this stamp for baby cards and have used it quite a lot.  It's just so cute!

So what happened in your world today?

Anything exciting?

I had my hair chopped short again after having it very long last year.

Is it me or do us girls like to grow our hair only to find it drives us batty so we have it cut again?

Could just be me, lol!

This is my entry for this months Sugar bowl and Marlene's sketch.

I have used Fancy pants papers Daydreams Imagine and Gaze...the flowers I have my mum to thank for making and also for the lace as she brought me a whole bag up last year after having a sort out...some of it is even homemade! 

The sugar nellie stamp is Guardian Angel and the phrase stamp was picked up in the USA last summer and is by Inkadinkado...I love it

"Some people come into our lives

and quietly stay.

Others stay for a while,

leaving footprints in our hearts

and we are never the same."

This is how I feel about the guys who I was on holiday last year as we had such a fabulous time together and was a real treat for my big birthday!

So big thanks to the guys over on the Sugar bowl for a great challenge and happy crafting to you all.

This is my decorated matchbox for my swap on Bubblyfunk forum.  Wendy who I have made for asked for green and brown items...so the match box is stuffed with ribbons, brads, buttons, flowers etc...

I have used Crate papers from the seaweed range, a papermania flower which has been layered up using the boho blossom punch from SU, then attached with ribbon and a wee tag.

I do hope she likes what I've sent her as I've never done a matchbox swap before and am not sure what to expect!

Finally I just wanted to mention the recent news about Rusty Pickle stopping trading....one word "gutted"

explains how I feel...I love all their papers and will really miss their funky style.

Wishing you guys over at RP all the very best for the future.  xxx

Kreative blog award

I have been sent this award by Sharon over on My little pad 

It is my first award Sharon so I am well chuffed that you thought to send it to me.

So onto the rules:

To have this award is to pass it on – the instructions are as follows:

1. Thank the person giving the award.

2. Copy the award graphic to your blog.

3. Place a link to their blog.

4. Name seven things people don’t know about you.

5. Nominate seven bloggers you admire.

6. Place a link to these bloggers.

7. Leave a comment on their blog notifying them of the award.
 
Right onto the nitty gritty......Sharon thanked tick, award copied tick, link to blog tick...gosh seven things folk won't know about me!!!
 
1.  I'm stuck on one, lol, I used to dance and qualified as a dance instructor.
 
2.  My favourite chocolates are Thortons Dessert selection but would be very happy with a bar of Dairy Milk.
 
3.  I get really nervous when I go somewhere new...and would rather avoid going!
 
4.  I can ski up-hill, lol!  (Don't ski well)
 
5.  In the Navy I came top in all my training (5) but only recieved an award twice.  Work that one out!
 
6.  I've been told I'm a perfectionist.....but I'm trying hard not to be!
 
7.  My hubby says for this one "I never tell my husband I love him!"  That's because I'd run out of buckets to puke in, lol.
 
These are the folk that inspire me:
 
Marlene
Gayle
Beckie
Jackie
Karen
Judy
Sarah
 
Right I'm off to tell them the news.....  

So with the weather at the weekend "SNOW" the girls from our neck of the woods didn't make it to the crop which was very disappointing.  I'm sure Jacqui still had a lovely day although a few others didn't make it too.  Fingers crossed she does another event when the weather improves....she does organise a good do!

The good news from the weekend was that my good pal Gayle gave birth to a little girl, congratulations to you and the family can't wait to see the pics...xxx
Also I became an aunty again as my brothers partner had a little boy, early!  Can't wait to see him too. xxx
Babies, babies, babies....perfect excuse to make some cards!

And finally to all you crafters out there there is some Sugar candy over on the SN blog but better be quick as it finishes on the 4th....one of the brand new Manga stamps and they are absolutely stunning.

Well the plan is to go to Jacqui's Christmas crop in Alford "Simply Create".

But it's snowing, SNOWING, SNOWING!

The journey over to Alford is across the hills and if it keeps up, boo hoo, we might miss it.

It sounds as if it is going to be a fabby day too with make and takes, classes and challenges galore.

PINK being the order of the day, lol!

My card is for CLAN a cancer charity which Jacqui is supporting with all cards going to raise funds and a prize for the winner.

I have used Doodlebug papers and the cupcake image is from the cutting cafe.  The brads are also doodlebug and the stamp is from SU.

My name badge is again doodlebug papers and the chipboard letters from bazzill.  I love the little chipboard cupcakes from Maya roads...will be using more of them!  The button is from dress it up.

I don't often use pink for myself with having two boys so have gone for it with pink, bling and glitter!  So girlie!

Do you think we could have a sudden unusual freaky heatwave between today and tomorrow so we still get out to play and all the snow disappears?

A girl can dream!

So guys here is my entry to this months Vanilla Suger Challenge to use a coaster.  The papers I have used are Bo Bunny persuasion cut outs and persuasion moments and the clock stamp is from Maya roads.  I got the clock fitting from a well know auction site too.

Loved the challenge guys and didn't cover the back as proof i used a beer mat...I now have time on my side when I craft!

This is a card I've made for a friend in the village who wanted a simple birth card with the details on.

Personally I love to play with square cards but the C6 card always seems to be popular with requests.

The stamp is just from Anita's and the little silver feet charm I picked up in the states.

To all my fella croppers in Aberdeen it was great to catch up with you all on Saturday at the Mill.

Firstly I'd like to wish the manager Brian all the very best in his new business venture as he leaves to pastures new this week...we'll miss you diving off to cut us all cards and thank you for your patience.

Thank you to all the girls for the yummy homebakes Emma your carrot cake was delish, plus thanks for organising the day, and Sharon your friend is some baker the little toffee cups and her banana cake was yum!

Also thanks again Sharon for your help with my Merry and Bright mini album from Melodee earlier in the year and the use of your stamps.

Oh and big thanks to Leigh for making a wonderful card on the spot for Brian, it was beautiful.

A great day was had by all!

Mind you I did feel like I was travelling at warp factor coming home as the snow began to fall but atleast the roads were clear.

Looking forwards to next weekend and another crop this time at Alford.  Praying for no snow!  xxx

Now I am interested to hear as a crafter/card maker what you think about Valentine's Day?
Every year I make cards and not being a "hearty lovey dovey" type person I preferring to use humour.
This year I seem to have hit a brick wall.  I've done DIY parts, nuts, knickers, pants, bra's, sweeties, chocolate, chilli peppers, roses and the usual hearts, argh!!  (To name but a few).
What has been your favourite card, I'd love to know?
Or does the day come and go with no real meaning?
Are you like me and maybe a few sweets and a nice meal at home for my boys or do you go all out?

So how are all my crafting buddy's?

Have you noticed the nights are starting to get lighter? 

How fab is that...

I so don't like this time of year as it's dark and cold...

Spring is my favourite time of year as the daffodils and tulips start to appear in the garden and the nights are lighter and the weather improves...arh, roll on spring!  Not long now.

On to my card which is this months challenge over on the Sugarbowl blog.

Thanks for a great sketch guys.

The card stock I have used is just what I had in my room and the cupcake paper is from Stemma, Something Sweet Cupcake.  The little buttons are the new range from "dare I say" papermania...so cute!

And finally the stamp is of course from Sugar Nellie "Cute as Cupcakes" and the circle image is from the Cutting Cafe.

For those of you who know me know I have a thing about muffins/cupcakes so I could not resist this stamp...all it remains for me to say is...."Muffin anyone!"  LOL

Thought today I would share with you a couple of cards I have made for a friend down in England who loves her angels.  The gift is, slap wrists, a late Christmas present together with a homemade book mark with an angel on and a book I love about angels.  Are you getting the theme yet?  LOL.

The stamps are a range from Stamps Happen which I bought ages ago...just because I loved them.  The lace has been made using my Chrimbo pressie a Martha Stewart Lace punch....me thinks this will be getting lots of use...thanks very much Karen. 

I have kept the cards simple as there is so much going on within the stamped image and I have coloured them using prisma pencils and a wee bit of sparkle!

Happy crafting everyone.

Karen if you are reading this avert your eyes now!

This is part if a gift for my pals birthday....now although her birthday was earlier in the week, what with the bad weather and her impending trip away we agreed to meet when she gets back and be "ladies wot lunch!"

Karen, Gayle and Marlene all got me onto the Twilight series after our girlie trip in the summer...I hadn't a clue what they were talking about, lol!

Of course upon coming home I was soon "up to speed" and had my heart firmly placed in the Edward camp!

Mind you after seeing New Moon I have to say that Jacob with his shirt off makes remaining in the Edward camp....a difficult choice to live upto!

Decisions...decisions, lol!

Anyway getting back to my story...Karen loves to read and read and read......"your secret is out!"

So along with her other gifts I've put together this bookmark, she has, and always will be, firmly in TEAM EDWARD!!

Just been looking around in blogland and found this Bubbly Funk challenge called Vanilla Sugar, see here.
The challenge is to come up with something using beer mats. 
Over time I have made a few items using beer mats and thought I'd share a few of them again with you.

This was for my dad on father's day...using Harley Davidson papers, with pictures of the kids on the back.

This was for a dear friend Mabel who used to help me with the house and children when I was working.

A halloween banner for home using Heidi Grace halloween papers and various embelishments.  The beer mats being that shape of course!

Another banner for my friends craft shop using Bo Bunny papers...if I remember correctly?!

This was a challenge to use the mats and container at a crop...I have used Rusty pickle papers.

Finally this is a figure of eight beer mat which I thought just perfect for a snowman decoration.

So this is my entry to this months Sugar bowl challenge, the sketch can be found on the link below.

I have used the SN Manga girl and the papers are Winterwonderland by Crafts House.  I thought these papers were appropriate bearing in mind we've had snow, snow and even more snow over the holidays.

Whilst colouring in I was a little disappointed that my copic blending pen ran out..I only got them in September...so not blended as much as I would have liked...better get one of them ordered...I NEED one now, lol!  No more colouring until I do find one, boo....hoo!

The card it's self is for Mrs Sugar Nellie.....who probably won't thank me for mentioning it but

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY KAREN!!

Have a great day.

And a big thank you to the guys over on the Sugar bowl for a lovely challenge...to get me back into crafting after the festive season.  xxx

To all my fella bloggers out there......HAPPY NEW YEAR....wishing you and yours all the very best for 2010 and may you get plenty of time to craft!!