So I promised a post for today and here it is.  This is the card I sent recently to one of my eldest boys new teachers who is celebrating the birth of his first baby....it's a boy!  (Did you guess, lol)

I have used papers from the Basic Grey range Archaic and the chipboard shapes and brads.  I have added a bit of stitching...google eyes...a small tag from SU marked "baby" a bit of ribbon and a charm marked "love".  Oh and where would we be without a greeting from the 'puter?!

The egg box I wanted to keep as simple as possible and basically took the paper from the supermarket off and used as a template to cut the BG, to which I added a brad and chipboard.  Everything has been inked with Vintage photo distress ink from the Ranger pads.

I also bought a little hoody with dinosaurs on and a first book of Dinosaurs to match!

Inside the egg box I added 2 pair of first size socks and scratch mits plus bigger dino socks to go with the hoody, see below:

I saw a similar idea in an American magazine for a baby shower, which we don't tend to do over here but thought it was something a bit different.  One of my pals saw it and has delivered me 3 egg boxes in the playground this morning so I think it could be a hit?!:)

Did anyone notice I did follow the sketch over on The Sugarbowl blog but as I wanted to use the Basic Grey range of stash it doesn't come under the entry requirements for the draw...thanks for the challenge anyway guys, it made for a quick and easy card!

So guys remember I said I won the LO and the bingo from the Blue Brads fun night over on UKScrappers website.  Well this is what I won....yummy stash don't you think?  I love the little stamps for journalling and shall have fun using the kit.  Thanks very much to the guys over on the "Blue brads" forum for a great fun night of games and a lovely LO challenge.

Better crack on today...I will have more to show you tomorrow...

Just to let you know I am demoing in Elgin at Papercraft's boutique this Saturday.....Christmas cards and decorations!! 

"It starts!"(the run up to Christmas)

I have the glitter at the ready and no doubt there will be more on me than the cards, lol.

It's time to craft!

Thought I would start the week off with the Sugarbowlblog challenge.  The challenge was set by the wonderful Marlene and I could not resist having a go.  I have kept the card very simple as I just wanted to make a quick card today to let my boy know I was behind him and that I think "He Rocks!"

The old paper I have used is Crate paper static collection reaction together with pale blue and brown card stock.  The stamp is Sugar Nellie Rock Idol which I bought a while ago and have only just got around to using.

The other stamps I have used are Rock star from Inkadinkado.  The small silver charm and ribbon are from my own stock and I used brown and beige chalk inks to edge.  I cut into the circle spellbinder nestability so that Rock boys guitar and feet overlapped onto the star background which I created using an old star punch and cutting individual points.:)

It was lovely to do another challenge especially as I haven't done many of late....hopefully I might have more time now to join in more often.

Oh guys and another lovely giveaway at lifeandtimesofa12x12addict got to go on over and leave a comment, slightly longer for this one, got till 22nd of August.  Good luck and happy crafting.

Over on UKS last Thursday evening we had a few games organised by the "Blue brads" team.  I was incredibly lucky to win the bingo and by jingo I was excited.  You wouldn't think it would be so difficult to type bingo correctly, lol.

We were then set a challenge to do a LO which could be anything we likes the only stipulation was that we used blue brads.

My LO is family photos from a visit to Redcar beach whilst at Grandma's....it was a lovely February day and the sun was out.  We were the only people on the beach for miles!!

The papers I have used are AC white textured, Kay and Co  papers from the Sea Glass range, stickers from Art Warehouse Creative Imaginations, title is Papermania stickers and journalling using a stamp from Papertrey Ink and Spellbinder nestibilities label 8.  The brads and ric-rak was from my stash.

I really enjoyed the fun and games on Thursday night guys and thanks for a lovely challenge which I created whilst at Hopeman crop yesterday.  I haven't done a double LO for ages so I just didn't know where to start!! 

Anyone for CAKE!!

 We had a giggle and great to see some new faces...lets hope we didn't scare them off!

Thanks to all the guys who made it....you know who you are!!  :)

So guys want to win some fabulous goodies check out lifeandtimesofa12x12addict, best be quick though 'cause closing date is tomorrow.

Very yummy stash indead, good luck. :)

Today, and it ain't a great picture sorry,  I put it in cellophane before snapping away, tut tut, we have an Anniversary card.

Again because it's my favourite, have I mentioned before, lol, I have used my Martha Stewart punch arched lattice on silver card. The paper is from Flair design Anniversary celebration words and the flower was made using my two heart punches.  To finish a bit of sheer ribbon, a pearl and a "LOVE" metal embellishment.

I thought as it was an anniversary card it would be a nice touch to make the flower out of hearts, don't you think?  However will the person receiving realise??!!***

Cropping in Hopeman Memorial hall tomorrow afternoon, looking forwards to catching up with my fella crafter's and to having an afternoon of tea, cake and paper playing!!

Firstly today I want to "big up" and say THANK YOU SO MUCH to "the New Katney" over in blog-land for point me to my recent problems on here.....and now it's sorted and I'm SO HAPPY!!  :)

On to the crafting side of things....today I was asked to produce a card and include "beer".  The card is very simple and just personalised for the young man who has reached the age of 21...the work is in the bottle of beer!!

I made the template myself, oh I do like to play. 

The labels on the beer were printed on the computer then cut out using Spellbinder's nestabilities labels 3.  Cream, brown, white and gold card from stock as is the tartan ribbon, I distressed with Ranger distress ink vintage photo.  The bottle top was crushed then a rub on attached to cream card glued to centre and coated with Ranger glossy accents.

I find when people ask for personal cards they don't want the sort of cards us crafter's make on line with lots of colours, papers, embellishments and stamps....they just want something that is personal to the recipient.

I loved the challenge of making this beer bottle from scratch.

Is that wrong?!*  LOL  :)

I made this wedding card for a friend going to a recent local wedding.  I was shown the invites by another close friend to give me an idea of what the bride to be would like.  Elegant and classy with a simplistic line was required...so I used ideas from a previous card, digging out my Martha Stewart punch arched lattice which as you can tell is my all time favourite just now.  The patterned paper is from The Paper Company Ivory diamond filigree on white, just fab for weddings and matted with grey card stock.  The flower was made with the wide satin white ribbon and the tag punched after printed off the computer.  Final embellishments were some more narrow ribbon and metal silver "LOVE".

I can't believe that it is nearly the end of the school holidays which is bitter sweet for me....looking forwards to getting the boys back to school but one of mine is away this year....and it's mum that will feel it more!

Still I'm looking forwards to find more time to craft...the silver lining. 

Oh and a couple of demo's coming up at Papercraft's Boutique in Elgin with some lovely Christmas stash

....which I've yet to receive

...ooooooo can't wait to see what I have to play with.  :)

It has been sometime since I have posted.  Where does the time go in the summer holidays?

This card is one that the ladies at Ellon had a chance to make at the weekend.  We had a blip with measurements initially but we got there in the end and the ladies got to try out the Martha Stewart punches and Spellbinder nesties.  A selection was provided but I used MS arched lattice and Nestabilities labels 8.  The card stock is black and cream and the damask is from g.c.d Paris nights.

This was their next card again using both MS punches and Nesties, Hero art stamps and a wee bit of inking.  I have used MS lace punch, Peony Nestabilities and Boarderabilities classic grand lace.  The card stock is AC dots.

Finally a wee candle using Hero art stamps and tag punch.  Black and cream satin ribbon and again papers from g.c.d Paris nights.

We had a very busy and craft-tastic day over at Ellon, it was lovely to meet so many new faces.  Everyone was kept very busy throughout the day with not only my items but Kate at Papercrafts Boutique produced another 3 beautiful items and to top it all off  Karen "Sugar Mama" at Funky kits was making and taking in between too. 

Let's hope all that came enjoyed it.  :)

To all my fella blogger's I haven't been hopping of late but hoping to catch up soon.  It looks like I have a lot of reading to do but looking forwards to it.  Christmas and CHA seem to be high on the agenda....yummy new stash!  :)

Anyone else having blog problems?
I've had to revert to the old system which is no where near as friendly as the newer version.........and now I've lost my gadgets, argh!!
What is going on!!!! :(

So guys this was me playing around with a card for Kirsti's birthday (see pictures below).....I'd got a new stamp whilst in Howdens at Inverness and just had to try it out. I know Kirsti likes her altered items so it seemed like a perfect opportunity to work outside my regular comfort zone!
The stamp is PaperArtsy One penny plate 4 and I have used black soot Distress ink together with Glimmer mists silver,turquoise and raven from Tattered Angels. I also used blue and green pearl powders and Ranger glossy accents on the butterflies. The flower was made with white tissue paper and glimmer mist punched with my SU scallop. The swirls behind are made using a Spellbinder Shapeabilites fancy tag split in two, together with gingham ribbon and turquoise thread from my stash.....all put together with a jewel brad.
I really enjoyed getting mucky and must try this more often...same can't be said for my floor but atleast it is sparkling now, lol. :)

So who's in the DOG House!!?*
This design was from Papertreyink and was supposed to be a birdie house but I altered it slightly to create a dog house.
I have used Nitwit papers Tail Wags diamond orange paper and Paw prints. It is inked with Tim Holtz distress ink walnut stain and the greeting is from the Nitwit Spring Whimsy range of stamps, I have added a couple of pearls and cut out some of the paw prints to put on the roof. Finally the roof effect was created with strips of the orange paper cut with Martha Stewart edger punch new scallop.

Before I start today I want to say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Kirsti.....have a good one x.
I'll show you her card soon.

Today final day of my Nitwits. Now this card design I bought out at CHA in Florida last year with my buddy Gayle....feel really bad as I can't remember who's design it was but I love the idea of a mini scrapbook in a card. The Nitwit papers I have used are Me Wow cats words, hearts plaid and paws mounted on American craft card and I have added Me Wow toppers, with Ranger glossy accents on eyes and noses. There really isn't anything more to this card. Honest. Well maybe a wee bit of Distress ink! I do love my inks. :)

How about another one as it is so "dreak" out today......is it really summertime?!

This is an A5 card again made with American craft card and Nitwit Spring Whimsy floral cream, hearts and diamond and the bunny is Spring Whimsy decoupage. The small flower punch is EK Success daisy chain edge...I love this as it reminds me of the lace my mum used on my clothes as a child. The greeting is from Hero arts and the card is finished with Distress ink vintage photo, red pearls and a black journalling pen.
Now I know decoupage can be a bit of a swear work in some crafting circles but I have to admit I find these quite cute and can see why folk do like to use this way of creating cards it is so quick and easy. :)
Anyway I'm thinking it might by the perfect wet day to have a craft room tidy.....it's either that or iron and I'm afraid that is always last on my list.

Another Nitwit.....for you, this one is a DL card and I have again used the rubber stamps from Spring Whimsy including the greeting. The card is American craft and Nitwits Spring Whimsy Dots and Hearts A4 papers. The image was coloured using promarkers and the frame made using classic ovals Spellbinder nestabilities. The Martha Stewart punch is the edger String lace. The ribbon and pearls are from Papercrafts Boutique in Elgin and as with all my nitwit cards it was inked using TM distress inks vintage photo.

On to today's Nitwit. The stamp is from the pack Spring Whimsy and it a cute bunny which I have coloured with Promarkers and cut out with Nestabilities Small deckled Rectangles and the card and backgrounds have been cut using Labels 8. The flower is by Colour me crazy jewelled florettes crystal and has been coloured with promarkers to match. The flowers behind has by made using a Martha Stewart corner punch, big toots for Becca over on Amazing paper grace for the idea to which I have added a bit of bling. The papers I have used are red from American craft and Cherry blossom dark and gingham from Nitwits. The Martha Stewart edge punch doily lace is in the background finished by inking with, you've guessed Tim Holtz distress inks tea dye and a black journalling pen.

Happy crafting to all my creative pals out there in cyber land....hoping to get a bit more card making done later today.
It is one of my blogging pals birthdays later this week, you know who you are!!! And I have been playing with inks and stamps, I will show you what I came up with later in the week as I'd hate to spoil the surprise be it good or bad :) lol!

Quack, quack I'm back...we didn't get all the way around plenty left for tomorrow as a little man's legs got tired. Bless!
Anyway onto crafting and the new range of Nitwits. These reminds me of the American clip art I used when I first started crafting....bring back happy memories.
The papers I have used American craft textured card to make a split 6" card, then I have mat and layered with Bear Necessities; heart paper, stitched hearts, strips and finally Girl topper all inked with TH distressing ink vintage photo. The greeting is from Hero arts and forgive me I don't know the name for the ribbon used but I would say it is string lace on the left.....please feel free to tell me what is it's official name as it is a new product to Papercrafts Boutique in Elgin and I was given a selection to play with. :) My brain and names don't work well, lol. Much rather be crafting instead.

Morning sunshine!! Well, it is trying to come out. Today I thought I would show you the start of my Nitwit cards but my youngest is chomping at the bit to start the village DUCK garden hunt......the joys of the holidays. Quackery, quack, quack!
Hopefully we will find all of them and then our way back. I may be some time!

Back again today with another card for you. For this card I have used beige and brown American craft textured card. The greeting is from Hero arts. The cream flower embossed paper is from Kay and Co Elegance Speciality pad, I love this pad of paper, it is so good just for classy cards and not only Weddings which it is aimed at. The Spellbinders used are Boarderabilites Classic Grand Lace for the strip across the card and the leaves. The flower is made using Nestabilities Peony, it has been embossed and inked with Tim Holtz Distress ink Walnut. The jewelry silver spacer is from my stash as is the brown brad.
I love the simplicity of this card and the fact it could be used for a whole range of occasions.
Happy crafting to you all and hope you are all enjoying the school holidays......!!

My next card from my demo selection is a re-run of a previous card inspired by an article from Annie's Attic. I love the simplicity of this card but the fact it looks (I think) quite classy. What do you think?
Anyway this is what I used:
Kay and Co Elegance Speciality mat pad
American craft textured card in black and silver
Spellbinders nestabilities labels 8 and Shapeabilities fancy tags
Martha Stewart punch Lattice
Kay and Co Elegance Grand Adhesions and finally a few small pearls

It's raining, it's pouring today, boo hoo, where's the lovely sunshine so we can get down to the beach? Hope this isn't going to be the norm over the holidays.....I like to get the kids out in the fresh air at some point during the day if only for my sanity!