Not a card in site!!

So for Christmas I got a new soldering iron and clamp and this is what I've been up to.  It's great to be trying something different but I think I need more practise!!

It is for one of my son's teachers who had a new baby last year...a little keepsake to keep and bring out every Christmas for the tree.



So for a change I got out the felt over Christmas to make a birthday gift for Karen, (she likes to get handmade gifts) "Happy Birthday" for yesterday, hope you had a good one.

I have to admit the birdies were inspired from elsewhere but I did make the patterns up myself. 

Aswell as being on the garland they can be taken off and hung individually, maybe on something twiggy!

It was lovely to get back to a little hand stitching, blanket and running used here and makes a change from cards.

I have picked up a few crafting bargains over the last week or so and am itching to play, however boys had a sleepover last night and are all still here playing.  Also I have to get sorted for boys going back to school, haircuts are a must, remove the Christmas decorations and the ironing pile from hell first, boo, hiss!

Then we have visitors arriving next week so better do some housework too.

My new stash will have to wait.  :(

Happy New Year

To you all, may 2011 bring you good fortune, good luck and lots of crafting!!

Don't you just love today's date 1/1/11!!

So who has a sore head this morning and who partied till the morning light?

We had close friends over for games, nibbles and drinks last night and then went down to the "Cairn" (overlooking the beach in our village) to see in the New Year with a "wee dram". 

It was a lovely evening and a good excuse for lots of hugs and kisses!!

On to today and Debbies challenge which I found courtesy of some of my fella Sugar bowl sweeties.  The idea is to pick 5 of your favourite cards that you have made throughout the year. 

So I'm away to pick....I could be sometime!

......so here is my choice.

Stamps are from Sugar Nellie, Personal Impressions and Lilli of the Valley.

So highlights for me in 2010?

Being chosen to work on with the Sugarbowl Sweeties with a special big thanks to the Sugar Mama for picking me, mwah!

Also gaining a part-time job working with the guys at Personal Impressions, demonstrating locally with craft products

........a dream job!

On a personal note my eldest son getting to the school that he wants and hoping that he sticks at it.

Strangely enjoying caravanning again after vowing not to do it!  LOL.

On to 2011....looking forwards to getting to the NEC in February, snow stay away.

Hoping to do lots more crafting especially on the scrapbooking sense which always seems to allude me.

To spend less time in front of the computer and TV and more time reading and crafting.

Only time will tell.

So I will leave you finally with the wish to you all for a healthy and creative 2011.

xxxx



So guys guess what time it is?

It's Sugar Bowl  challenge time.  

We had a wee bit longer off over the festive season but as it's Sugar Nellie stamps second birthday....

...we have not one but two prizes. 

The prizes are Spellbinder Nestabilities and Sugar Nellie stamps worth over £50.

That's two prizes worth over £50!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sugar Nellie!

The challenge has been set by the wonderful Marlene and the sketch is as follows:

The theme to go with the challenge is to use "embossing" this can either be heat or using an embossing folder.

For my card I have used:

Stamp:  Home Grown Manga girl 2, SU "4 you ".

Paper:  Black and craft, Jillibean black bean, inch garlic salt.

  Oval Nestabilities, small leaf punch and MS edger punch new scallop.

Cuttlebug Dots embossing folder.

Embellishments from stash and copics to colour.

I love the Manga stamps...kids with attitude! 

I wanted to use totally different colours to my last couple of Sugar bowl challenges so I have taken out the colour and turned to craft...which seems to be having a bit of a revival of late then teamed it up with black....we all need a bit of black after over indulging at Christmas, LOL!

Better than extra exercise!

Before I sign off I would just like to take the opportunity to wish you all a

"Happy New Year!"

May 2011 be the best for you all...with plenty of happy crafting time and lots of yummy new rubber!

I look forwards to seeing what you create.

He's been!!

Wishing you all the very best for today.......eat, drink and be merry!!

Well, my kids have been up since just after 5 a.m. this morning and no amount of cajoling was going to get them to stay in bed any longer. 

 I should have got to bed earlier.  LOL.

So everything is now opened and is being played with....batteries are being popped into toys left, right and centre, great fun is being had by all.

And relax before stuffing the turkey!

So what did you get?

My favourite pressie which made my hubby laugh is a soldering iron and a helping hand clamp, bring on the crafts!!

This is what I shall be doing with it:

So my friend Karen was the guinea pig for my first attempt.

I would have liked to have done more but I think I need to practise first.

Oh and on the theme of eating, how about some Christmas muffins:

 

Finally wishing you all a super day and I hope that Santa has been kind. xxx

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my fella bloggers and crafters a

Merry Christmas

I hope Santa is good to you all.

On to part two of today's post and my card entry to LOTV blog challenge.

But also a birthday card for my pal.

I have used LOTV stamps, angel and circular sentiment.

The papers are from Memory Box gossamer courtesy of Elaine who sent them with my recent H & S stamps.

The flower is from Prima.

Spellbinder nestabilites label 8 and Martha Stewart edger punch lace heart.

I wanted to use a Christmas image as my pals birthday is Christmas Eve, but I didn't want to make it too Christmassie as it is her birthday after all.

Pink is not a colour I use very often so I really enjoyed getting down and girlie!!

Anyway that's all from me for now I am away to check out where Santa is on the NORAD site as my little boy is sat next to me constantly asking "where is Santa!" 

I think he is a tad excited.

Will the kids sleep tonight?!! 

And oh my what time will they get up in the morning!!

Today it is one of my very good friends birthday Gill.

I saw this box with a china mug in whilst away this year and it so reminded me of Gala week in Hopeman.  All the beach hutty's painted different colours and all the bunting in the streets....I just had to have it for her.  We enjoy getting together for a cuppa and a little something homemade!

It then got me thinking so I made a beach hut calendar to match using papers from the Making Memories Kids Sam collection.

I also made up a couple of baubles with photos of her kids in too, very much like the snowman in my previous post.

Gill hope you have a great birthday xxx.

So here's my teacher gift for my youngest. 

My eldest will take his presents when he goes back to his school in the New Year having finished early.

The Snowman soup is a mug from Asda that has a little elf on it....looks like my wee man LOL. 

Inside it has sachets of hot chocolate, candy canes and a packet of small chocolate and ordinary marshmallows. 

The tag reads:

I was told you've been real good this year

Always glad to hear it

With freezing weather already here

You'll need to warm the spirit

So here's a little Snowman soup

Complete with stirring stick

Add hot water, sip it slow

It's sure to do the trick!

The snowman design is the art work my youngest did for his school Christmas cards so I have used it to add the personal touch...his teacher mentioned she liked it.

I have also used photo bauble (you can pick them up at the supermarket by the photo development) adding the snowman inside with some snow and glittery bits for her to hang on her tree.

I have made a few of these baubles this year for family with photos in just as little extras, great for baby's first Christmas or to remind folk of special events during the year.

Happy crafting!

On to gifts for friends. 

I haven't done these candles since last Christmas but the do make great pressies for folk that are difficult to buy for. 

These are for friends of friends who married this year.

Well they won't get two of these!

Stamps used from SU and PI.

I am having crafting withdrawals, still got another couple of presents to make including my youngest teachers gift which needs completing for tomorrow....I like to leave it till last minute, LOL!

On a better note I got some LOTV stamps in my post this morning so I must have a play with them later....best parcels to receive aren't they? 

Who would have thought a parcel of rubber could be so exciting!!



Another giveaway today and it's for all you Tim Holtz fans.

You can enter the prize draw over on Yours Artfully Blog and the winner will be announced on New Years Day....what a start to the New year that would be!

Lot's of yummy stash to get all inky over!



Did you know the guys over at Lili of the Valley are teaming with The Ribbon Girls to issue challenges in the New Year?

In order to celebrate the fact they're giving away a £10 voucher for Lili and the above goodies from Ribbon, all you need do is post to your blog and link back between now and the 29th of December.

Go on you know you want too!  Good luck and happy crafting. x 

Oh I am so excited this morning I have won some candy from Elaine's blog.  It's hAnglar and stAnglar stamps too, woop, woop.  Lush or what?

Thanks very muchly Elaine for being so generous.  :)

Can't wait to play.

On to my latest creation...I have made these and shown them on my blog before so this is just the finished item wrapped and ready to go. 

My hairdresser finishes work next week to go on maternity leave....good luck Sammy, hope all goes well. 

I wanted to give her a little gift that she wouldn't get from anyone else.

The egg box is covered with Kay and co baby papers, the top decorated with the word "BABY" with chipboard, inked and covered with glossy accents.  I also have added two fimo baby feet and ribbon.  Inside there are 3 sets of baby first size white socks and 3 sets of scratch mits.

I love making these for baby gifts as they are not labour intensive and also I get to "recycle"

.....Kirstie Allsopp would be proud of me, lol.

So what have you put on your own Christmas cards this year?

You've already seen my first batch of toppers.....courtesy of my Tim Holtz and the Ranger products.

On to my second batch and I have used craft card from Papermania and rubber stamps from Waltzing Mouse Stamps. 

I love the simplicity of this stamp and I think my 3rd batch will also be the same....I'm hooked!

I think this range of stamps are so cute and simple and love the look on craft card.

Plus of course keeping it simple means that you can rattle lots off at once....always a good thing at this time of year.

I have also used distress ink vintage photo and Ranger glossy accents.

Happy Christmas crafting!!!



Anita Renfroe | William Tell Momisms | Official Version

So today I dedicate this to all the mum's out in cyberland, who at this time of year not only juggle childminding/chores and work but the "perfect" Christmas too.
I don't know whether it is the same in your home but Christmas just happens..............it's super magical!
You are not alone......... so make a cuppa, take a seat and have a wee laugh at this. I just love it.
Oh and happy Christmas planning!!

So for all you crafter's out there, have you been following Tim Holtz's blog? 

He is running 12 tags of Christmas with loads of tips and techniques. 

Well I had to get out some of my Ranger products and have a play, so I have made some toppers for my Christmas cards. 

Oh I really enjoyed that....nothing better than getting mucky playing!!  LOL

Stamp:  Christmas Miracle T.Holtz, Hero arts Dot pattern.

Ink:  Black and white Stazon, Vintage photo distress ink.

Liquid pearl white, ruby rub, Tattered Angels glimmer mist gold and 3 "bling!"

It's that time again, doesn't it come around quick?  On to todays Sugar Nellie challenge

So what do you win this time well, all I can say is yum....Lili of the Valley round sentiments stamps, Spellbinder round Nestabilities and six Sugar Nellie stamps, WOW!

The wonderful sketch is by Maria Terese and the theme is snowflakes...how appropriate for us just now as we have so much snow in Scotland.

And here is my version.

I think I must have a "thing" for this colour scheme this Christmas....it wasn't intentional but I just loved these papers.

Papers:  Dream street papers Wonderland.

Dies:  Spellbinder Nestie labels 15 and Create a flake 2, SU scalloped edger and Papertrey Ink ticket.

Stamp:  Sugar Nellie Pure of heart coloured with copics, ticket from Papertrey Ink and Merry Christmas from PI.

Gems, gingham and thread from my stash.

Come on over to the The Sugar Bowl and give it a go.

Sorry I'm not very chatty on this post, all this snow and I seem to have picked up a nasty chest infection, ouch and I have a class tonight....roll on tomorrow!

Spot the beach?  Nope? 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Had fun today sledging, making snow angels, snowball fighting etc...  Let the child within!!

Brrr! 

But good fun....tomorrow as school is out again me thinks I shall mostly be making a snowman!

Mind you it ain't helping in my preparations for Christmas, lol.

Yesterday we were supposed to have our Christmas crop but due to the weather conditions and the fact that it would have been difficult to travel it was cancelled....to be re-booked after Christmas.

A couple of the girls still managed to make it around to my home instead and we tried to make a good dent on all the home bakes whilst doing a wee bit of crafting. 

I thought as I recently bought some Lili of the Valley stamps that I would have a go at their weekly challenge here.

So this is my attempt.

I saw this stamp and immediately thought of my eldest so had to send him this card to let him know I am thinking of him after a difficult week at school.  The stamp is coloured to his school rugby strip with copics oh and of course I had to add the mud! 

Paper:  American craft "Junior" range.

Punches from SU and Spellbinders

Stamps IOTV and Hero art.

Distress ink:  Tea dye, vintage photo and faded jeans.



There's no business like snow business!!!

Yaah....NOT!

Mind you there are advantages of living close to the sea, we have far less than the rest of the North of Scotland and it usually melts.  Unfortunately we do get cut off as the roads seem to be really bad or as they say on the travel news

"Don't travel unless you have too!"

Like you would contact them if you didn't have to make a journey and check the route!

When the weather is like it is there is only one thing to do...wrap up warm and stay indoors.

Sounds like a crafty/baking day today...but what to do first?

Looking forwards to our local crop tomorrow so maybe I shall be organised for once and take something to do and have it all to complete, that would be a first. 

It's our Christmas crop so looking forwards to seeing every ones festive "challenges".

So today having had crafting withdrawal symptoms I decided to get out one of my new Lili of the Valley stamps to play with. 

Yes I have lots of other things I should be doing but well I'm not!

I was introduced just recently to Lili of the Valley stamps by my friends who come to the Hopeman crop....it's all your fault!!!  LOL  (You know who you are!)

The girls had been to the recent Craft event at the SECC down in Glasgow and came armed to our monthly crop with lots of new lovelies...I just HAD to check them out.

This little chap is for a close friend who's little dog "Mac" looks the double of the stamp. 

The likeness is uncanny.

My friend is always there for me, rain or shine, good times and bad....so this is sent with lots of love and many thanks for just being you. x

This card also doubles for the challenge over on the Lili of the Valley blog which this week must include "Glitter and Glitz".  My glitter and glitz as with the time of year up here in Scotland is my "snow".  Apparently snow is on route and it is definitely cold enough!

Papers:  Dream Street papers Wonderland Magic moments & Let it snow.

Dies:  Martha Stewart Vintage lace patp, Spellbinder Nestabilities small deckled rectangle & Papertrey ink ticket.

Snowflake purchased on line, glitter & satin ribbon from stash.  Image coloured with copics.

One of my fella Sugar Bowl Sweeties is giving away some lush candy today....can you believe it?! 

Have you seen what these are going for on a well know auction site? 

They are so cut especially the little boy holding the bunting, my favourite. 

Anyway to be in a chance to win go on over to Elaine's blog and check it out.

Happy crafting!