HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Boo! WOYWW 178

It's a late start from me today as I have been shopping for some more treats for tonight's Halloween festivities.  Are you ready?

This is my son's pumpkin with a little help from dad.  It always fascinates me every year how many people really go to town creating their pumpkins.  It is a male bonding tradition in our house as I am usually putting together bags of goodies or baking.  The boys all sit on the floor in the kitchen and have fun. 
Then the house has a few decorations put up.
Goodie bags ready so just the baking to go.  Cackle, cackle!

My desk this week for a change is my kitchen work top as this afternoon I will be baking, can you guess what?

 

So what's on your desk this Wednesday...have you gone spooky too?

Why not pop on over to the lovely Julia's blog and catch up with other like minded crafter's.

 

It only remains for me in true Halloween style to finish on a couple of jokes.....

 

Q.  When does Dracula relax at work?

A.  During his coffin break!

 

Q.  What do you call a ghost with a broken leg?

A.  A hobblin goblin!

 

Q.  How do you hep chickens that are possessed by evil spirits?

A.  Get an "eggorcist!"

 

Happy Halloween and thanks for popping by....I will be along later after I've scared plenty of children....cackle, cackle!

It's nearly time.....spooky.....

Have you got your spook on?  Doesn't sound quite right does it!  LOL.
My youngest is very excited today....how I am going to get him to do homework tonight when he already has plans of decorating the house and carving his pumpkin before cubs?
I think it is going to be a tough one.

Earlier in the week I was playing with my Spellbinders and some of the lovely Waltzing Mouse Stamps.  I couldn't resist I had to go back and purchase a few more.  I do love Claire's stamps.  Mind you I haven't used them for this project....I have to sit on my hands when looking at Halloween crafting goodies as I have so many already.
I do have a bit of a thing for Halloween crafty stash.

Whilst I was there I had a look at Claire's blog and she had the template for these....

Twisted bag boxes. 
Aren't they cute to put Halloween treats in?  So this is what I have been up to.
I usually get quite a few visitors on Halloween so I have made 40 of these little beauties filled with treats....but once they're gone they're gone. 
I have used Inkadinkado stamp set All Hallows eve, keeping them very simple so I could rattle through them.  I was going to use patterned paper but I quite like the black on plain card.
I bet I run out....I always do so planning a little last minute baking just in case.  I'm thinking flapjacks, cupcakes and gingerbread shapes but only time will tell how much I get done as I am also having a SU party Thursday so housework is a must this week, boo!

Did someone mention Halloween?

So what have I been up to?  Well Saturday I was in work and then I popped to see a friend who has puppies and had kindly had my youngest for the day.  When I arrived he had a puppy in his arms and was told he had done on and off all day!  Guess what a little man wants for Christmas?
The puppy is very cute, I nearly melted there and then and even had a cuddle too, at only a couple of weeks old he is just bigger than my hand.
Sunday was spent at rugby training, which I usually get out of but hubby was working, how very dare he!  It was cold and wet, just how the boys love it as they get caked in mud.  I on the other hand was Mrs Sociable sat in my new wee car reading my kindle. 
The afternoon was spent on my next Sugar bowl challenge and catching up on some jobs.
Typical Sunday.

And to today...I'm off shortly into town to get the statutory pumpkin for this time of year....I hope there are some left?  I'm always lastminute.com.  Then to pick up sweeties and baking equipment to make some yummies for Wednesday night.
I will hopefully be back later showing you what I have been making.
Enjoy your Monday, kids back at school now....time to crack on.  x

I shall leave you with these from Martha Stewart.  She has loads of great ideas for Halloween on her website.

All the better to bite you with!
Love them.

What no crafting?!

Hello late post from me today and this is what I've been up to...

Sorry couldn't resist this from Pinterest.  No crafting for me today.  This morning I had a meeting at work and this afternoon I have picked my new wee car up.  Busy, busy, busy.

I do hope to get some crafting fun in later but I may have to relocate by the fire instead....brrrr....it has suddenly gone very cold up here in the North of Scotland.  Winter woollies required, fire lit and coffee in hand.

I'm at work again tomorrow so I hope to share something crafty on Sunday instead. 
Have a super weekend whatever you have planned, don't forget to wrap up warm.  x

Wishing you a Spellbinding Christmas.

Back again, I did get chance to play yesterday but my ironing took me till mid afternoon....yes I had that much! 
Mind you I really enjoyed making this card knowing my work for the day was done.  In answer to Scrappmo it is a Spellbinder card and it is layered but maybe just not as much as normal.  I bought these stamps from Waltzing Mouse stamps last Christmas and LOVE them so I just had to get them out for another play.

Shopping list.....Spellbinder dies Labels 4 and Edgeabilities Classic Petal, Poinsettia die and swirl a gift from Irene, Cuttlebug spot embossing die, Waltzing Mouse stamps Seasonal Remedies, card from the Papeterie Aberdeen and pearls from my stash.

Oh I think I might be making some more of these cards for Christmas time.

Today I must getting some food shopping in, the excitement!
I have also promised my youngest a trip to the cinema.  It sounds like a restricted crafting day but hopefully playtime will come later.
Have a super Thursday.   x

What's on your Work desk this Wednesday 177

It's that time again and what is on our work desk this Wednesday.  Well, I plan to have a little Spellbinder fun but in order I enjoy it even more I have decided a couple of hours of ironing is on the cards first.  My youngest has a pal coming over to play and for lunch so I am expecting to get a little craft time thrown in!
This is my desk today......

Mmm can't wait to play!

Pop over to the lovely Julia's blog to sneak a peek at other like minded crafter's but beware it is addictive.

Have a super Wednesday.  I'll be back later for a snoop!  x

If friends were flowers, I'd pick you.

After getting down and inky yesterday today how about a total contrast?
I'm back with a CAS card (clean and simple) and it couldn't get much simpler than this......

I did say it was clean and simple didn't I?
I do love the less is more cards just now, stripping back the card to the bear minimum is just as much fun as layering up.  I find it equally as hard to step away and do no more as I do with a layered card...."stand back girl enough is enough!"

This stamp set is Hero arts big and small flowers and is made using scraps of card and some small bling. 
As Alexander the Meerkat would say....."Simples!"
Have a super Tuesday I'm away today to look at a new little car for moi.  Excited.com.
More from me with What's on your Work desk tomorrow.

12 tags of 2012 with Tim

Hi folks I have been meaning to join in with Tim Holtz and his 12 tags of 2012 for ages now but I always seem to have something else that needs doing before I can play.  This morning I decided to say s*d the ironing and have some fun first.  I am in work later today so I have started the day with a little crafting.  I have some major catching up to do but I love October and Halloween, so where better place to start.  All items have been used from just what I could find in my craft room this morning.
Here is my attempt....

I have used Kraft tissue paper by 7 Gypsies, Distress inks Black Soot, Ripe Persimmon and Seedless Preserve, Stamps by Stampers Anonymous Odds and Ends, Papertrey ink Spooky sweets and All Hallow's Eve by Inkadinkado, Chipboard by Cosmo Cricket Haunted, Tattered angels silver glimmer mist, embossing powder Black sparkle by Heritage rubber stamp co, google eyes and threads from stash. 

I have limited Timmy products but I have a funny feeling all that is about to change!
This morning has been so much fun, big grins all round, thanks for the inspiration Tim and now I can't wait to see next months tag.

Fifty shades of birthday!

Hi folks I haven't done much crafting at all this week having been in M & S, 4 days out of 7 and especially with my boys off school.  Any free time has been spent with them. 
Last night we had a film night and watched Dolphin's tale.  What a super film and a true story as well, mind you a hanky is required, I had watery eyes throughout.  A great family film.

This weekend I am taking a break from blogging as I am working again Saturday and getting my boy back to school Sunday, hopefully I will be back Monday guns blazing....or should I say scalpels at dawn!

To finish my week today I am sharing a CAS card (Clean and simple).  I make a range of CAS cards for my local shop in the village COSTCUTTERS, they have supported my card making for many years for which I am grateful.  I tend to just make a small handful and then move on to a new design always changing ideas and styles.  I also keep the price reasonable (it was always just about being able to buy more stash to make more cards) and the designs are simple.  When I get chance I also love the challenge of  making something that is topical. 
Hence this card.....my take on the recent phenomenon that is "The 50 Shades of Grey" trilogy.

 

The stamp set is by The Crafthouse press and is called Lingerie, the printing is done on my trusty computer. 

I do love CAS cards just as much as layered cards.  What is your favourite?

 

That is all from me today, have a super weekend.  Catch you again on Monday.  x

Sugar bowl time again. 94

Hi all it's time again for a lovely Sugar bowl challenge and this fortnight the challenge has been set by Jenny with a lovely sketch and the theme Wet, wet, wet.
This is my take.

And the sketch.

I decided to do a WOW card for a change and have used my prisma pencils on pearlescent card.  I have also rotated the sketch to work with my stamp.  I have used Sugar Nellie stamp Water lily together with sentiment stamps by Paula Pascual, seam binding and charm from stash.
I have used Spellbinder dies Grand oval and Grand labels 11 together with Classic circles, all nestabilities, with my spotty Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Up for grabs are four of your own choice of stamps from the Sugar Nellie range of stamps rising to six if we have more than 100 entries.  I hope you have fun with the sketch, I did thanks Jenny.
Remember you must use a Sugar Nellie stamp as your main focus or your entry will not be included in the draw.

It only remains for me to wish you lots of fun crafting, I'm away to work again today, tomorrow and Saturday!  A busy little bee just now.  Take care and remember you've got to be in it to win it!

What's on your Work desk this Wednesday 176

Hi folks and it's hump day again....the weeks are just flying by, it will soon be Christmas!
I am writing this Tuesday evening as I had a call earlier today to ask if I can work tomorrow, whilst you read this I shall be a busy little bee elsewhere but hope to be back later in the day to have a nose at all your lovely crafty spaces and return the love.
This is what I was going to play with today.....

This is a template I bought ages ago to make some Christmas mini books and I had forgotten all about it until I had a wee tidy.  Isn't it amazing what you find.  Before I put it away somewhere safe never to be seen for another 5 years I thought I'd make a couple up instead of Christmas cards for family this year.  This is my prototype, yet to be decorated.

You can find more lovely craftiness via our fine host Julia by popping over to her blog here.

And my funny for today was sent to my by my lovely pal Sharon about "My Satnav", it did make me smile.....does it sound familar to you?!

I have a little Satnav

It sits there in my car
A Satnav is a driver's friend
It tells you where you are

I have a little Satnav
I've had it all my life
It's better than the normal ones
My Satnav is my wife

It gives me full instructions
Especially how to drive
"It's thirty miles an hour", it says
"You're doing thirty five"

It tells me when to stop and start

And when to use the brake
And tells me that it's never ever
Safe to overtake

 It tells me when a light is red

And when it goes to green
It seems to know instinctively
Just when to intervene

It lists the vehicles just in front
And all those to the rear
And taking this into account
It specifies my gear

I'm sure no other driver

Has so helpful a device
For when we leave and lock the car
It still gives its advice

It fills me up with counselling

Each journey's pretty fraught
So why don't I exchange it
And get a quieter sort?

Ah well, you see
It cleans the house
Makes sure I'm properly fed
It washes all my shirts and things
And  keeps me warm in bed!

Despite all these advantages
And my tendency to scoff
I only wish that now and then
I could turn the f**ker off

Have a super Wednesday all and thanks for popping by, I'll be around later today to catch up.

A tree for Christmas but not what you'd expect.

Hi folks today is the last of my demo work until my next date in Aberdeen at the end of next month.  Why? 
Well, for those who don't know me the last couple of months I have started to work at my local Marks and Spencer's on a Saturday with the run up to Christmas.  This therefore means a little less demonstrating just now but we will have to wait and see what happens after the festive season.  At the moment I am still the PI demonstrator for the North East of Scotland as most of the stores are still keen for me to visit even if it means during the week or on a Sunday.

I am continuing with my blog as I have lots of crafty ideas to share.  I also make cards locally for the village which has been neglected of late so I intend on refreshing ideas for that too.  I am hoping that I have more time to craft myself as recently I have tended to spend a lot of my own time getting demonstrations up and running....but that is just what I am like.  I love being creative and enjoy sharing and some ideas can't be rushed, right?!

I am booked to visit the Papeterie on Sunday 25th of November, weather permitting and I have yet to speak to Charlotte to find out what I will be up to...it might not even be Christmas!  One thing will be a certain mind.......they'll be some new Spellbinders to share I'm sure.

Back to today and this is the last of my cards from my recent visit to Inverness.

This card has been made using Spellbinder Nestabilities die Fleur de Lis and stamp set by Paula Pascual Christmas tree.  Distress ink Festive berries and bling from my stash. 
A nice easy card to finish on.

That's all from me today I'll be back tomorrow with "What's on your Work desk Wednesday."
Have a super Tuesday.  x

Another Christmas tree for you.

Hi folks and it's nice to wake up to rain again today....always for the kids school holidays, without fail!
Mind you we are a tad excited in our house today as we are picking up a new car, well, new to us. 
Whilst all that excitement is going on here I thought I'd share another of my Christmas tree cards.

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 again at 8 inches in side, I have folded the back square in half to create the card inside to write on.

Short and sweet from me today.  Have fun today whatever you have planned.  I'm hoping to get some card making in later but I really should tackle the ironing pile again....boo!

Hanging your baubles.

Morning all.  So what are you up to this Sunday? 
We've got folks coming to look at our caravan today as we haven't been using it as much as we had hoped and a new car is required.  Time for a change.  I'm gutted as I love our van but need must.  I just hope we find someone who will have just as much fun as we have with it. 
I've also got a card to make for my best pal who has a family member starting a super new job, I shall be doing that once I've got my jobs sorted.

So what picture do I have for you today?

I love this 3D card.  The Spellbinder die is 2012 Heirloom ornament with papers from MME 12 days of Christmas.  The bauble is created using 8 dies glued together and I have made a gusset at the bottom of the card to hold it together when standing which is concertinaed so it will still fold flat to go into an envelope.  The sentiment is by PI and comes from Kirsty Wiseman's Many Greetings.  The card size is C6 but long ways on (11 x 29.8 cms (A4 length)).
This is again a simple card to create and just requires quite a bit of card and cutting but I do like the simplicity of it.

That's all from me today I am away to get sorted with a few jobs so I can hopefully have some time to play laters!
Have a great Sunday.

More snow coming your way...

Another snowy Christmas card for you today whilst I'm beavering away at work.

I've done a wee bit of sanding with this card to give it a wintery distressed look.  The snowflakes are from Spellbinder Create a flake 4 and 2012 Snowflake pendant. 
Rather than cutting the dies I have placed them on the card and embossed them, then I have inked with Distress Iced Spruce whilst leaving the dies in position on the card. 
This gives a wintery effect and looks really good with pearlescent card as it shimmers (which doesn't get picked up in the photo). 
I have then layered the 2012 pendant as normal with 3D foam, finally adding bling and the sentiment from PI stamp set Many Greetings.

I love the effect of embossing cards with dies, so many possibilities, and you could leave it flat for postage with still having texture.  Have you tried this technique?  I'd love to hear from you if you have.

I'd like to finish today by wishing my Dad and good friend Claire a Happy birthday, hope you both have a super day.
To everyone else have a great Saturday.  x

It wouldn't be Christmas without a little black number!

My youngest is off to school dressed as an Oompa Loompa this morning as it's the end of  Book week and the brief was to dress as a character from the Roald Dahl books.  He was so excited this morning, his breakfast was hardly touched.  I am biased but he does suit a green wig!
I'm sure they'll all have a fun day.

Back to Christmas, no I hear you cry....what would it be without a little black number?!

For this card I have used PI stamp set Joy to the world by Kirsty Wiseman together with embossing powder Pewter shimmer and bling from my stash.
The step card is 11 x 5 1/2"  and instructions can be followed with the Splitcoast stampers video here, thanks Frances for the inspiration.

I'm back in work this afternoon and again tomorrow so having a quick morning making a few cards, it's either that or more ironing and I know what wins.  Maybe a magic pixie will visit my house whilst I'm at work and do it for me....a girl can dream!
Anyway that's all from me today, have a super weekend whatever you are up to and happy crafting.  x

Not more snowflakes....the revenge!

Hi folks, a quick post from me as I am working later today plus I have a fancy dress costume to make for school tomorrow...my youngest has to go as a Roald Dahl figure from one of his books. 
Mmmm that should be fun to do!

Another card today from my Inverness demonstration.
I will continue to show them all over the coming week, sorry if you've been waiting.
Another teal effort for you today although it looks a lot darker in the photo....how does that work when I took the picture the same time as the one on yesterdays post?  The mind boggles!

And not a Spellbinder die in sight!
I have used PI stamps "Snowflakes" by Sue Dix and "Many Greetings" by Kirsty Wiseman.  With the snowflakes I have used clear embossing powder then applied Distress ink Evergreen Bough.  The punch is from Martha Stewart and is Doily lace.  Ribbon from my stash.

I love stamping and embossing with clear powder as it reminds me of the joy of magic painting as a child.....it so is magic! 
Eat your heart out Dynamo, that guy is good. 
Anyway that is all for me today, catch you tomorrow.  x

What's on your work desk this Wednesday 175

Hi, bit late this morning sharing the contents of my work desk with fella crafters.
Why is it when other family members are on holiday you find yourself running around in ever decreasing circles achieving nothing?  I switched the computer on at 8 and this is me just getting here.  Guess I should just put my feet up and let things go on around me and chillaxe!

Yesterday I was making a card for my Dads birthday this coming weekend.  I always do a biker card so this time I thought I'd do something a little different.  Tracy one of my pals from the crop gave me a sheet of Paper Nation decoupage back in the summer.  It is not normally something I use but I did like this one as we have a caravan, my parents also have a motor home and we sometimes meet up for some family time.  Hence this card.  I've just got to finish sticking it together.

On the left there is also a box of dies that another lovely crafty friend Irene has given me as she is finding herself doing more material based projects just now and no cards.  I've still got to come up with something to say thank you with so any suggestions would be gratefully received.

So what am I up to today, I have a couple more birthdays coming up to crack on with then more housework and ironing to finish.  Yippee! 
Have a super Wednesday and don't forget to pop by the lovely Julia's blog to catch up with other like minded crafters.  It only remains for me to say thanks for the visit, and as Arnold would say "I'll be back" later to have a hop around.
I thought I'd leave you with this....a good friend Jan sent it to me a few weeks ago and it did make me giggle......

Classes for Women at
THE ADULT LEARNING CENTRE

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
By Tuesday, Oct 27th, 2012

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS.
Class 1
Up in Winter, Down in Summer - How to Adjust a Thermostat
Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hrs beginning at 7:00 PM..

Class 2
Which Takes More Energy - Putting the Toilet Seat Down, or Bitching About It for 3 Hours?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Drive Past Marks & Spencer Without Stopping?--Group Debate.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between a Handbag and a Suitcase--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Curling Tongs--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Bathroom Cabinet?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
At 7:00 PM

Class 6
How to Ask Questions During Commercials and Be Quiet During the Programme.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Can a Bath Be Taken Without 14 Different Kinds of Soaps and Shampoos?
Open Forum.
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch -They Make Medicine for PMT - and How To Use It!
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
I Was Wrong and He Was Right!--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 10
How to Parallel Park In Less Than 20 Minutes Without an Insurance Claim.
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday ' s noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live - How to Apply Brakes Without Throwing Passengers Through the Windshield .
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12
How to Shop by Yourself.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Upon completion of ANY of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

Happy Wednesday everyone.  x

Back we go to Christmas and more snow!

Hi folks another late post for me today.  I've been shopping and out for lunch with my boy...stocking up for going back to school with sports wear etc...  Although I did manage to treat myself to a mighty fine new wooden spoon.  I know how to live life to the full!  It is a lovely spoon!
That's me back full of lunch and pockets empty so I'm going to have an hour in my craft room to recover.
This card is one of my favourites from my recent demonstration in Inverness....those of you who know me will know it is my favourite of all colours.

I have used Core-dinations card stock together with MME 12 days of Christmas.  The snowflake die is Create a flake 4 and the sentiment is by Kirsty Wiseman Many Greetings.  Bling and ribbon from my stash.

Did I mention that I LOVE this colour!  Ha!  Once or twice. 

This card is 5 x 10 1/2" in size and it has a 1/2" spine down the middle.  On the front of the card I have scored two inner squares, the outer 3/4" and then a further 1/2" in from that point.  The squares are then cut across the diagonal and folded back to make the frame.  I then attack a 3 1/2" square to the inner box and on the reverse inside the card to hide the workings.  Time to decorate!
I'm loving these box cards just now but you do need to post them in a box too to protect them. 

Right that is me off to do a little crafting, I have my Dad's birthday coming up so need to get my thinking cap on.  Have a great day, more tomorrow.  x

And it's not a Christmas card!

I was recently asked by a very wise man I know to make him a card for a friend with a Buddhist saying on the front. 
Here is what I came up with....

Very wise words indeed.

I have used the butterfly die from SU together with Spellbinder dies Classic circles and Grand Scalloped circle, M-Bossibilities folder Elegance with pearls, ribbon and embellishments from my stash.

The phrase is about being yourself and not worrying about trying to be perfect, everyone is an individual and different....embrace it.  It is always easy to judge others without truly knowing them.
Or as he would say to me "Just be!"

Another later post today as I have been out to fill my cupboards with lots of food.  I can tell there is another mouth to feed!
I'm away now to do a little boring housework but hoping to get back to my craft room later.
More from me tomorrow.