Before updating on CHA I thought I should post in order as I have a few pre-trip crafty items to share.
These were a couple of cards that I made for a relatively new friend Jim. He has helped me so much over the last month...so it was only fitting I make him cards for his daughters wedding, the theme being...can you tell?? Sweet peas.
Don't know whether he will catch this in "blog land" but I'm sure he knows how much he is appreciated...and I do hope he liked them.
It was nice to make Wedding cards out of my comfort box..with plenty of colour.
Jim I hope you got your speech sorted and the weekend was one to treasure. Oh and "I did it, enjoyed it and yep we got a meal"! But then you know that already don't you!!

Well guys that's me back from Florida and this years CHA craft trade fair.
What can I say about it?
Well I have never laughed so much in a long time. The company was fantastic, thanks girls. The food and drink just kept flowing. And as for the craft shopping well, we all had to pay extra shipping to get our cases home...I think that says it all!!
As for pictures...I hope to get them to you soon with lots of interesting news so watch this space....

Teachers gifts at the end of term.
This year I decided to do candles for my boys' teachers. The cards I made using the DCWV Grade school papers.
I think they liked them!

A first for me.
Bought beads, charms and handbag clips with a view to trying "handbag charms".
This is attempt 1.
Pat I hope you liked it, together with your present and card...sorry I couldn't be with you on this special birthday....I can't believe you've reached "that" age!
I won't spill the beans on here...but it doesn't seem that long ago we were in Newcastle shopping..trying on hats and shouting "MUM" over to see what she thought, LOL.
Have a great party.

I've been trying to up load another card for days now and it doesn't seem to want a viewing. Why? Well every time I upload it it rotates 90 degrees, never happened before and never with any other card, so work that one out? Answers on a postcard to.....!!! I've tried every combination and have come to the conclusion that the "puter says NO!"

As to this card...which I mentioned at the last crop in Aberdeen, that I was working on. When I was given the brief for it I thought "Yikes" but as with all requests a little thought and I was cracking on. Needless to say I was really happy with the end result and so was the client.
I hope you guys like it too.

Hello!
Haven't been on here much of late. Busy with school things...as the end of term looms and up here in Bonny Scotland we've been having a heat wave!
Now, as this is somewhat unusual, we have been making the most of it and have taken up temporary residence on the beach!
But just to keep you going here is a recent Christening card. This stamp I have had for years but it is still my favourite when it comes to a Christening card....I love it. I have coloured with prisma pencils my favourite colouring medium just now.
Anyway enjoy the sunshine as the kids break up Thursday, and we all know what that means?!
The weather will change!

Now I did mention that I'd been busy making a few bespoke cards for local folk in the village. The craft trend of more is more doesn't follow locally and still less is more...which is great as it keeps cost down. My list is getting shorter, hopefully I'll soon be seeing light at the end of the tunnel and I can get some stock made but then the kids break up soon...just in time for me to get on top of things...wishful thinking!

Still it's nice to do something that I enjoy doing....I would just like to petition for more hours in a day or more energy!! (Both would be better but don't want to come accross as being greedy!)

This it the card I made Jacqui to wish her all the best for her new business craft venture "Go Create" in Alford. The colour scheme inspired by the colours in the shop, which work really well. The shop is very classy and definitely girlie but very grown up girlie!
The stamp again is from the Ketto range...and I think I may be needing some more of them next time I'm through. I can see the start of another collection!!

A lot has happened in my little world since my last post. For a start I had a birthday, the big 40, still sat here waiting for my life to start....maybe in order to do that I need to get my bum off the chair!! (And I'm so comfortable)

I got a great camera from my hubby and have been having great fun playing with it.

It has also been my mum's birthday "Happy Birthday you"!!!

This was the card I made for her using my new stamps bought from Jacqui's beautiful new shop in Alford "Go Create". The stamps are from the Stampingbella Ketto range and are so sweet. I started with the orange and black Harley theme for the card but the gold naturally took over as I played. I think it smacks of the 1970's, however I have been told bold bright is all back in.

This was the final class at SU in Aberdeen and Diane took it. I love the 3d affect of this card and enjoyed putting it together.
Looking forwards to the next event later in the year. It's the first event I've been too and actually finished everything.
As fella crafter's know we have cupboards full of half finished items, especially from Holland. One day I'll get them all sorted! (Wishful thinking!)

This was Kara's class at the SU camp. I loved having a go at the stamping layers, very effective and as all SU stash co-ordinates beautiful the final effects are great. To finish it off we added very fine glitter to get that BLING feeling which unfortunately isn't clear in this picture.

Now back to the SU stamp class. This was Elaine's class and I have to say I love this colour combo, so much so when I saw Pam at the weekend she mentioned that I matched the card we'd made at SU camp in Aberdeen. Had a good giggle in this class also, thanks Elaine but then we always end up giggling about something! I loved the rollers and the mitered edges...which I need to practise. Oh my SU wish list gets bigger daily!

We seem to have a lot of birthdays in May.

My baby was 5 yesterday and shock horror got a bought birthday card! I know it's bad but he was much more interested in his party and decorating the house in an "animal" theme.

These are a couple of the cards I've made recently for birthdays. I've made very similar cards for the sisters across the road and the rugby themed card was for one of DS friends who is 10 today, Happy Birthday George!

SU Stamp camp in Aberdeen, as promised more pic's of what we made. This was Dawn's class. I love the colour scheme and the stamps. The internal section was made using the 3D sizzix cake die, which caused no end of innuendo's, giggles and snigger's. (You had to be there!!) It kept us amused throughout the day, will we ever look at the die in the same manner again?!

Today I have mostly been "playing with my blog". I know there are far more important things to be doing like housework, yep but I'm on strike and pottering on here instead.

I promised some pictures from the Stamp Camp in Aberdeen earlier in the month so to wet your appetite I have started with the make and takes which were quickly put together in the morning before lunch and afternoon classes commenced. I had a great day crafting and enjoyed the company of some new and old faces, you know who you are!!!
(And I haven't eaten the sweets yet, how good am I!!)

Now as I've been so bad keeping up on here lately I'm now going to post twice on one day.
All or nothing here I'm afraid.

My fella crafter's have heard my pleas of late for a doggy stamp to create a sympathy card. I was actually looking for a black collie but found nothing at all that I liked. I found this image and have tweaked it slightly. My pal who I made it for said it was just what she wanted so therefore I'm happy. Dare I mention the word decoupage without being slapped?!! Not only a bad crafter but a secret (not anymore) decoupager!!!

Guess what?

I've got batteries!!

Yippee....

Here are a couple of requests I've had recently.

One for a friend of a friend who has just passed her "Easy Jet" training

and the other for a retiring thespian.

I'm a bad, bad, bad blogger!
You know why?
I can't get off my bum and charge my batteries for my camera.


I'm not being a lazy crafter...I am busy making cards, honest. Do you believe me?
So guess you could say I'm being a lazy photographer!! (Maybe not photographer and more "point and shooter"!!)
Jo I'm in need of your services!!

I've been a bad blogger of late...but guess that means I'm busy, which isn't a bad thing...either that or lazy?!
I have been ticking over with cards but not taking pictures...trying to build up a wee bit of stock. I seem to have the speed of a tortoise just now, must be the Salsa and Spinning fitness I'm squeezing into the week. (That's my excuse)

As for the Easter holidays, DH and I took the boys to Center Parcs and then onto Legoland...and what a fab couple of weeks we had. My youngest most mornings since getting back asks if he can go back to Legoland again today! (He has no concept of how far away it is but was obviously was really impressed).

Anyway I hope all you crafters out there are finding time to play...I'm away to crack before, heaven forbid, I end up doing some housework, yikes!

This is the Mother's day mini book gift that my mum received, it was from The Sharon Ann little ones collection, gatefold album from Deja views. I thought it was appropriate with two boys.

Better late than never, eh Pam!

It was my pals birthday last week and I finally got around to catching up with her on Sunday.. Why when I make cards for other folk do I always end up being "Last minute Annie" or worse late with sending my own? Very bad indeed!

Can you see the theme and trend over the last few cards, I love my cupcakes especially edible ones. At this point I'd like to thank the Aberdeen girls from the crop on Saturday for not eating all the muffins I took (being so good and not eating yummies!) I have had two already today so I'm doing a very good job at increasing my waist band, add to that the Thornton's choc's I got for Mother's day...I'm so going to need more exercise!!

Why is it that everything that is yummy is bad for you and everything yucky good?!

Morning...bright and breezy on a Sunday morning, I'll pay for it later!

To all you mums out there:

"Happy Mother's Day"!!!

This was a card I made with the same papers and cupcakes below, but a slightly different style, again using my new SU stamps. It was for Beckie Dreyer to say thank you very much for my Rusty Pickle goodies.....which were very yummy!

Here is a card that I made on Saturday whilst at the crop in Elgin. It was for a thank you to Dawn on UKS for the beautiful stamps she sent me. I used Heidi Grace papers and the cupcake set from the Cutting Cafe, the word stamp is SU.

Yesterday it was my Uncle's birthday and he loves golf.
I got these stamps from Karen's, Paper Craft Boutique, at the weekend as I thought they would work well for men's cards. (Golf, fishing, DIY and beer what more could you need?)

I was right to be excited about our girlie craft day on Saturday, boy did I have a good time. Good company, good food, crafting the day away....heaven!
Thanks Sharon and Fiona for organising the event, looks like it might have to be a regular event now. Must ask the girls if I can post a couple of their pics on here of the house...in my dreams, (the house) it was huge.

On to today...it's my eldest baby's 10th birthday today, so where has that time gone?!
Isn't it funny what kids are like. He got a super new bike off us with the weather hopefully starting to improve and some Battle brawlers from his brother, the latest crazy at school amongst other things. Guess what he was more interested in...the little balls of plastic!
Still the weather has been pants today so maybe he'll get out on his bike tomorrow.
So girls I finally got around to making his birthday card and for those of you who know him, know he's rugby daft. It had to be a card on that theme in the team colours (above post).
I love this SN stamp, it gets plenty of use in this house!

Today I've mostly been cooking and baking muffins but found sometime this morning for another candle. This one was for a young couple who's Wedding we went to last month...they're off to a sunnier climate so it was a little going away gift. I've kept it simple with it being for a non-crafter and a wedding.

But never mind today I'm excited about tomorrow!!!

The girls from Fraserburgh are in town for a crafting weekend. Yippee! I'm joining them for the day tomorrow... for lots of crafting, chatting, eating and a few games to play...sounds like a fun weekend is planned. I'm having a day off.

Now my brother is an architect by trade and is the one with all the artistic talent in the family, as far as I am concerned. He is going to make me a new title for this blog....which is very kind of him.

He asked me to go and get a few pictures of the village for him to work with and these are a couple of ideas.....

Upon viewing them he liked them but wants me to capture the "essence of the village" and to be "artistic darling"!!!!!! Jeepers!

I'm obviously going to need some time to think........but any ideas would be gratefully received....I think I need a trip to Findhorn Foundation to get in touch with my artistic bint!!

More of the same today....personalised cards. Not a lot else to say!!! Happy crafting.

"White Rabbits"!
Ooooo the sun is out, the sky is blue, there's not a cloud to spoil the view.....March is here and spring, shhh is on it's way. My favourite time of year, it's getting warmer, all the bulbs in the garden are starting to come out and the nights are getting lighter, yippee.

Looking at some of my fellow crafter's blogs, quite often it is mentioned what book is being read. I used to read loads but often collapse in front of the TV late at night rather than getting my nose in a book. However I have just finished a book that was recommended to me by one of the ladies who have opened a new shop in the village called "Seahorse". We'd got chatting and she said you must read this if you get chance, "Angels in my Hair" by Lorna Byrne. What a beautiful uplifting book...wouldn't it be nice to think that we all have a guardian angel watching over us, protecting us?
Whether you believe or not Lorna is a remarkable lady, I couldn't put the book down.

Afternoon all,

Another day of crafting!

This is a card for Tracy who had a nasty accident over the weekend. I think there may be two little nurses looking after your every need now that you are home, lets hope so! Get well soon Tracy.

This is one of the beautiful stamps designed by Leanne Ellis for Sugar Nellie Stamps over on the Funky Kits site. (Link below) I have teamed it with Deja Views papers "Blue Raspberry". Me thinks, I might have to play some more with this stamp!!

Today I also received a lovely parcel from Beckie @ RP, many thanks. I love it, the "Pop Star" papers are so applicable to me with two boys, can't wait to play!

Oh, I've been playing with my blog again today....to much time on my hands?
Or should I be doing something more constructive, yer, probably, but where would be the fun in that?
In honour......I know it is a little late...of the new Gorjuss stamps over on the Funky Kits site...I've added this background, sweet isn't it. Looking forwards to playing with the new stamps, I love this range. http://www.funkykits.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=47_55

Another card here for a friend in the village, with a picture of her partners dog. I've kept with the beach theme and colours and again used my template from The Cutting cafe for the greeting.

Over the years I've done my fair share of sympathy cards. Calla lilies being the favourite embellishment in various forms. So what do you make of this one? To much, with bling? Just got sick of lilies and wanted a change.

I first saw this cuttlebug embossing plate when Tracy Dowie did a demonstration at Papercraft's Boutique in Elgin...Tracy thanks for the idea.

The stamped image is from The Cutting Cafe and thanks to Sharon my teamie on UKS for that link. I can see I will be using that site again.

And for today's card, gets out trumpet! (Only kidding)

This stamp is part of a Rusty Pickle packet that I picked up on my day scrapping with Mr Pickle last year in Edinburgh, thanks to Becky, and I have been waiting for a wee while to use it, I thought it goes well with the Creative Imaginations "Love to Shop" papers.

As you can guess Julie enjoys shopping, or that was my brief!

So how was your Valentine's day folk?

Red roses, chocolates...Champagne?

Or did your partner forget?

My hubby told me we weren't bothering this year then surprised me with flowers, chocs and my favourite brandy. So what is he after?!*

On that note I thought I would show you this years Valentine cards.

I have been busy of late making new samples for Papercraft's Boutique in Elgin...if you want to see them I'm afraid you'll have to visit the store, I know you want to!!

Ok who pinched January? And now it is February....who ordered snow?Actually here we have a light "icing sugar" dusting which is pretty but I believe the rest of the country seems to have come off worse.

This picture is for my "teamies" on UKS. My youngest had a birthday party to go to today...he made his own card , don't know whether the little girl will appreciate a Pirate card when she is having a princess party but the thought is there!

As to gifts well I usually do a bigger picture than this one...too much brandy last night...wasn't quite seeing straight this morning!

The apron is usually given with a cook book/cake making kit/fancy icing pack etc... Just a little different from picking something up at the shops and she won't get two!

Morning....this was a request from my mum for a Harley pal.

For those of you who don't know my parents are "Harley bikers", which I and my boy's think is really cool.

One of my pals always smiles at me and says "Granny's should be in flowery dresses with strings of pearls not black biker leathers covered in badges on the back of a large noisy bike."

Why?

Good luck to them, I think it's brill.

Morning crafter's.

Looking at cards and magazines to which cards are popular just now and more is more...more paper..more embellishments etc.. I love this style and do have my attempts at it...However when it comes to making cards for folk for special occasions I am always asked for something more personal, name, age, hobbies etc... Some requests can get quite bizarre but I'm always willing to give it a go. Thankfully today's request was for an 18th for a young guy (obviously) who likes golf. My 1st card is an attempt of the local 18th hole golf course....ok it's not to scale etc...but you get the general idea.

Living in a small village I quite often get asked by different folk for the same person...so we have 3 combinations of golfing cards.
Let's hope Kyle has a super birthday and now enjoys the 19th hole officially!

My mum has also been really poorly of late so this is a quick card for her. Hope you are feeling better soon, mum and back to your usual self. Dad put the kettle on!!

Recently I was sadly asked to make a card for a couple who were unfortunate to loose their baby. Now I can only imagine the shear heartache that they're both going through and my thoughts are with them.

Morning all

Another day beginning and madly dashing around getting sorted for school. Found my other candles that I made for Christmas presents and thought I would share them as promised. Why no matter what time everyone gets up on a morning there is always a mad 1/2 hour before school?! Or is it just in this house....I bet not.

Anyway happy crafting to you all....catch you again very soon.

Another day and at the moment I'm in between computer's and some files are on 1 and some on the other....is it me or is it a pain switching to a new system?

Anyway enough of that I can't show you the candles I wanted to so today so I have attached part of Karen's birthday gift. I hope you had a fabulous day Karen.

I'm enjoying making the candles....could this be my latest crazy?!**

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

This is the Jacob's ladder that I made for my brothers partner. I used winter wonderland papers by Craft house. I thought the pinks and greens would make a really "girlie" book of my niece.

A little birdie told me that it is Beckie's Birthday today.

I hope you have a super day and get spoilt rotten by the family and maybe even get a little craft-time!

Merry Christmas everyone

I'm back. Hope you all had a great time over Christmas. Did you get to do any crafting? I didn't.

This was my new Christmas decoration for Karen this year, it has become a tradition that I make something new every year. I've been feeling a little traditional this year and have always loved my poinsettia's.

More to follow.....must catch up on the exciting jobs like washing and ironing....NOT!

I need to get in some crafting.....

I am still here. Have been making quite a few cards here's just a few quick ones using clip art. Quick and easy for the teachers, as usual everything is last minute here. Still at least their getting homemade ones most other folk aren't.

My boys have made cards at school this year and had them printed to raise funds so they've bailed me out and taken over my roll of card making leaving me free to complete a few special cards and presents.

http://vimeo.com/1509073

I wanted to share this with all you mom's out there. I have heard it before but thanks Jacqui for sending it....I bet most of it features in your daily ritual!

Had a great day yesterday at the Aberdeen Christmas crop. Lots of crafting, lunch out, home bakes and Secret Santa....a perfect day. Thanks to Dawn and Kara for organising it and for my lovely gifts (the icing on the cake!)...my name was drawn out of the hat and a got some super goodies. It is so not like me to be that lucky!

I'm still busy crafting away for anybody checking up on me but I'm not wanting to show any Christmas pressies just yet, so not to spoil the surprise. Happy Christmas crafting to all.
One last question for you all.....what was in/on your advent calendar today?