Sugar bowl challenge 65

Where does the time go?

I can't believe that's us round again already

especially when we had an extra couple of weeks holiday too.

On to the challenge for the next fortnight and this sketch is by the wonderful Maria Theresa

with the challenge "blue".

Here is my take:

I thought it was about time I dusted down Amelia from the Simply Sassy range at Sugar Nellie.

She is coloured with copics.

The paper is from My Minds Eye Good day Sunshine girl "Head in the Clouds"

with SU textured card Cookie crumble and Baja Breeze.

Martha Stewart punch scalloped dots.

Tim Holtz Alterations texture fades Steampunk embossing folder, vintage photo distress ink and

Ideaology Adage tickets.

Lace, twill, brads and world pin from my stash.

And the sketch:

Up for grabs this time

or should I say the prize is 4 Sugar Nellie stamps of your choice,

rising to 6 for over 100 entries.

I must also mention,

and you know who you are,

the SN facebook ladies who have made multiple cards for the last challenge

raising the prize on offer.

Yaah!

Lots of lovely cards over on the Sugar Bowl 



so why not pop on over and take a look.

Also I would like to mention that Sugar Nellie are looking for new members for their Design Team,

see below:

If you love your Sugar Nellie stamps why not give it a go....you've got to be in it to win it!

Finally I would just like to thank everyone who has taken the time to write such lovely comments

both on here and my facebook page yesterday,

I really appreciate all of them

and look forwards to exciting times ahead!

"Happy crafting!"



WOYWW

First, I have a wee secret that only a few of my closest buddies knew about and were sworn to secrecy.

Yesterday I was AWOL....
and I have been quiet on here of late.

That usually means I'm up to something

and I was.

I went to London to visit the Q.......

no not the Queen

but I was here instead:

I was at QVC for a screen test as a guest craft designer, "oh my"!

Can you believe it?

Me neither.

I had to pinch myself.

I had a fair bit of travelling to do and a long day in store but

I had a fabulous time,

everyone at the channel were very friendly making me feel at ease and welcome.

I met the lovely Julian Ballantyne who was so kind,

we had a lovely chat and I even got a hug too!

I was asked to showcase a crafting product with samples then was filmed with Julian discussing it.

And guess what?

I passed!

So now it's a case of watching this space......

How excited am I?

Well maybe just a little.

But what you really want to know is what is on my work desk today....

The whiskey has arrived so I have a local order to complete.

Some samples for my boss at Personal Impressions from my last demo in Inverness,

I know better late than never.

I also had a lovely surprise in the post too...then new Hero Arts Christmas rubber stamps...

mmmmm....oh so many yummy one's...

"heaven I'm in heaven!"

(I have to say it's a good job you don't have sound,
me singing, ain't good!)
Why not pop over to Julia on the Stamping Ground and see what everyone else is up to?

Finally I would like to thank the staff at PI especially Jan and Jayne for all their assistance of late.

I'd like to thank Dave via the lovely Cathy, for all his help and guidance to the best travel around London.

Lastly thanks to all the staff at QVC for making me feel so at home.

Let the crafting commence...bring it on!

I am still here but am working on a top secret project

that hopefully I can share with you later next week.

I am also still waiting for my whiskey!

I have been crafting like mad just lately and hope to show you what I have been up to soon.

I have also been stocking up on my shop

"less is more"

 cards whilst on a quiet spell before the mad Christmas rush. 

So how has your weekend been?

Up here in the North of Scotland the weather has been

in one word

"pants"

especially today as it has poured down consistently all day.

Still with that in mind my ironing is up to date and I've had some quality craft time.

Mind you Mr X box has been working far to hard too today and I can feel a day of fresh air on the horizon tomorrow....lets hope for some sunshine.

 365 day calender.

Oh well, I'm late again!

Only a few days.

As you already know I am following The Kathryn Wheel calender challenge this year, you can see what everyone else is up to on Kate's blog.

It is really worth a look as there are so many different variations on the theme and some fantastic work.

Here's my attempt for this month.

For  August I wanted to get a feel for all that time we would be spending down on our local beach, by the hutties (as they're known here), relaxing with my feet in the sand!

Yer right!

Up to now the weather hasn't been great up here in the North of Scotland this month,

 but I believe the south of England is getting "summer", LOL.

Anyway I have used paper that looks like sand, sand paper and red/blue gingham all from my stash.

The alphabet stickers are from Doodlebug.

Distress ink antique linen.

Stamps from Stampendous, Anita's and Stamp it.

Maybe our summer will start when the kids go back to school in just under a fortnights time.

Whoo hoo!

And to last months now completed gala month.

I'm amazed that I've actually kept up with this challenge,

still the real challenge will be keeping up in September and October when my demo dates are in full flow running up to Christmas....ho, ho,ho...

Can't wait to see what I will be playing with this year.  :)



WOYWW

It's that time of the week again when we look at every one's work desks.

What is on mine today?

Well, I think a real good tidy up before I start my next project, don't you think?

And this is tidier than normal, LOL.

I really should learn to tidy up after each project instead of just moving to one side, far to busy crafting to tidy.....where's the fun in that!

Why not pop over to Julia's blog and see what everyone else is up to.

I have two projects to finish this week and one is a secret!

For now anyway.

The other I am waiting for a delivery of whiskey for and was hoping they'd be here today.

The postman has been and it didn't arrive, boo! 

At this rate I won't hit my deadline on Friday.

Before I go are we up for another bit of candy?

Mmmm what next.

Keep an eye out as I think next week I shall be posting some more for you.

Molly blooms in the Sunshine!

On a recent visit to my parents I happened upon The Paperlane.

Whilst in the beautiful shop I just had to have a rubber fix, as you do!

Here's a little something I made, well not actually little as it is an 8" twisted easel.

I have used:

Molly Blooms MB-0135H, MB-0140N and MB-0139D.

Stampendous clingrubber "Sand"

Spellbinder nestabilities label 14

Paper My Minds Eye Good day Sunshine and sand paper.

Coloured with copics, scrabble tiles from stash and glossy accents to highlight.

I really enjoyed creating this card, lots of layering 3D and plenty of colouring too.

I also picked up a 2nd in the local gala with it.

I think I can also add I am now a convert of Molly Blooms and can't wait till my next journey south!

I shall be entering this into The Paperlane Challenge "Shades of Sunshine".

Fun in the HOS!

Today I went into the House of Sugar to meet up with Karen, Sharon and Cass for lunch and a wee bit of stamping and colouring with copics.

I had a lovely afternoon chatting, eating and a little bit of crafting too.

I was playing with the new stamp Furry Friends from Sugar Nellie.

I have also used:

Papers by Craftshouse Winterwonderland

Spellbinder nestibilities Lacey circles

Rub on by K & Comp

Stardust stickles

Rick rack and embellishments from stash

Coloured with copic pens

Another new cute stamp.

Whilst there I had to pick up a wee bit more rubber.....

which new Sassy do you think I would go for?

Mmmmmm!!

Decisions, decisions....

Oh and we had jam and scones with tea! 

And cream!

Nom, nom, nom.

Oh and before I forget Elaine.....another PINK card!!

Scary, LOL. 

I think I'm needing a blue fix now.

The sketch I have used is from the lovely guys over on the Inspirational Card Sketches blog and is their present challenge.
Why not pop on over and have a go.

WOYWW

I haven't done this for a few weeks and was hoping for a really clean desk to show you as I did start a major clean...but then I get distracted when I find something I haven't seen or forgotten I'd bought and start crafting instead.

Today I have some lovely new yummy, to me, rubber stash.

The Molly Blooms I purchased recently from Paperlane in Northallerton whilst visiting family, and what a lovely shop it is, I also got my surfing Magnolia there too, too cute!

A card to follow with them soon.

I also have some of the latest releases from Sugar Nellie 

who have also released new Sassy girls this weekend just gone,

which are also too yummy....now which of those should I get???!!!

I have a couple of the new stamp releases by Marion Emberson Designs via Personal Impressions for another project...coming soon.

Then finally a couple of Stampendous cling sentiment stamps to go with my beachy theme.

Now the only hard decision is which to play with first!

Oh it's a hard decision to make.  LOL.

What are you doing in your craft room today?

Or are you out and about enjoying the sunshine?

Why not check out over on Julia's blog Stamping Ground and see what other like minded folk are up to.

Have a great day.



Baby boom!

As today it is announced on the TV that we again have a shortage of midwives in the UK due to the present baby boom,

 I have to agree as I have been asked to make three baby cards in as many days.

I have made two boy cards or as they're called locally "loons"
and one girl or "quine"

I have decided to show you a wee loon.

As I have mentioned in previous posts my cards for none crafter's are somewhat different to those for crafter's and are along the "less is more" theme.

I personally find this none fussy approach is more appealing to people who don't make cards,
having said that I quite like this approach myself too. 
Could it become the next big trend?

I have used the fabulous digi image from Sugar Nellie called
 Bambino.

I adore this image and it is fab to colour with copics/promarkers,

I tend to use four skin tones and four blue tones and blend.

The beauty of this particular card is the fact that it can be totally personalised on the computer with a few added embellishments and a wee bit of matting/layering.

Now I want to make like a certain Meerkat and say
"simples, squeak"

but to any none UK readers you will be thinking what the......?!

It is a very popular advert in the UK and has a meerkat discussing a mix up with websites HERE.

Just so you know.
Now don't you feel better that has been explained!  NOT!

Peek a boo!

This afternoon I have had a lovely time over at Christel's with my fella local crafter's for a Stamping Up party

whilst all my boys went golfing.

Thanks to Kate and Christel for a lovely afternoon with tea, cake and crafting

....it doesn't get much better than that!

A girlie day out.

In the holidays too!

Today, however,

I want to share with you another of the new stamps from the lovely Sugar Nellie range,

this one is called

Peek a boo.

Isn't she a wee cutie?



And I don't normally do pink and girlie!

I have used:

Papers from the girls paperie.

Stamp Sugar Nellie.

Flower die SU and swirls Sizzix.

Pearls from Hobby House.

Brad, dollie and rub on from stash.

Balloons covered with Glossy accents, stitching on machine.

I would also like to enter this card into the sketch challenge over at A Gem of a Challenge,

thanks for the inspirations.

I did used to do all my cards from scratch

but I have now seen the light and am really enjoying working with different sketches

....there are so many out in cyber space and are great for getting those creative juices flowing, especially if trying to keep to a time schedule.

I hope you are all enjoying the school holidays

...we've not had great weather here over the last week but I've just heard on the grapevine it is set to improve soon....let's hope so.



Design requests

I was asked recently to make a special card for a special friend who loves going walking/trekking.

This image I thought worked well so I set to work.

It is from here, where they not only do digital stamps but also great clip art.

For the card I have used my grand scalloped circles dies. 

The card itself requires and 8" square envelope....so it's on the big size! 

The lettering was done on the 'puter and numbers on my cricut then embossed with my cuttlebug folder. 

The little silver charm which says "celebrate" was picked up on my last trip to the states.

The ribbon from stash.

Sarah I hope you had a cracking birthday and wish you a better year ahead. x

The Winner!

Hi all well I have used random.org to pick a winner and have spent the last 1/2 hour trying to get the little box on here to show you the winner.....
I wish I wasn't such a technophobe!
I will be referring to my computer able friends for advice,
as I have some more goodies for you in future,
but for now I would like a wee drum roll.....

The winner is:

Number 11
BOMBI

If you could contact me here with your name and address and your rubber will be winging it's way to you.
Happy crafting and thank you to all that entered.

Last chance to enter my candy below I shall draw a winner tomorrow morning,

good luck ladies!

Got a few cards to show you from over the last week

 but I've been enjoying our local village Gala which is on at this time each year.

Lots to do for the kids and adults and tonight we have a tombola and quiz.

Tomorrow is the car treasure hunt where myself and best buddy Gill need to defend our title!!

Thanks to all involved in organising the Gala for all your hard work.

It has been another good one.



Candy anyone?

Remember I mentioned I was having a wee tidy in my craft room.

These beauty's are all brand new and sadly haven't seen ink in my home...

I just haven't got around to playing with them.

With that in mind I would like to give them a new home,

somewhere they'll be loved and used.

I am happy to post anywhere and all you need to do to be in with a chance is to leave me a comment on this post....simples, squeak!

You don't even have to follow my blog....unless you want too, LOL.

I will announce the winner in a weeks time, good luck,

Erika.

Sugar bowl time 64

It's that time again.

Sorry I have been absent of late but I have been catching up with extended family.

This Sugar Bowl sketch is from the lovely Kiki with the theme lace.

Now I could not resist one of the new Sherbet pips Candy Pip which you can get from Funky kits, the home of Sugar Nellie.

Here is my version:

With this card I found some old gingham paper and combined it with craft, white and green card to bring up to date.

The Sugar Nellie stamp is Candy pip as linked above but is sat on a fence by CC Designs which is also available from

Funky kits.

The scrabble tiles I found also whilst tidying, plus the lace and doily.

Again I have used my copics to colour. 

Other embellishments from my stash.

Here is Kiki's sketch:

It's amazing what you can find when you have a wee tidy in your craft room.

I'm loving these new Sherbet Pips too, such cuties.

On to the prize.....

4 of your choice from the fabulous Sugar Nellie range but as the last challenge,

 if we get more than 100 entries the prize goes up to 6. 

This challenge is also running for 4 weeks over the school holidays so you have plenty of time to play

with entries in by the 10th August.

Remember you've got to be in it to win it!

Happy crafting. x

Bubble and Squeak

Remember the Sugar Nellie hop at the weekend showcasing the new stamps?

Wasn't there some fabby ones?

Over the next four weeks all the girls involved with the hop will be sharing one more of the stamps per week.

Are you ready for my first one?

"Bubble and Squeak"
 how cute are they?

You can see all the new range over at the Funky kits site.

I have also used:

Papers;  a birthday gift from the lovely Gayle, Moulin Rouge by Prima.

Ticket die and stamps by Papertreyink.

Coloured with copics.

String and brads from stash.

I have also used distress ink vintage photo and my distress tool.

The sketch I have used from Inspirational Card Sketches number 63.

It's a great place to go and pick up a sketch as there are loads and loads to choose from and it's a great way to get started on a card especially if that creative mojo his hiding!

Anyway my kids have gone dooking so I'm off to make sure they don't drown,

catch you later with some more crafting.

Less is More!

Today I have a list of cards I need to do for family.

For my first one I thought I would follow the Less is More blog challenge for this week, shades of blue.

This card is winging it's way to my Aunt who is recovering for an operation,

just to let her know that we are all thinking of her and wishing her a speedy recovery.

I have used:

Stamps from SU Sweet Summer.

Embossing folder dotts from Cuttlebug. 

Tag punch and stamp also SU.

Distress ink Blue storm.

Blue Seam binding.

Martha Stewart deep edge punch blossom eyelet.

Spellbinder die labels 14.
Coloured with shades of blue copic pens.

Blue and clear bling, plus card from stash.

I'm loving this shape of card at the moment with the deep edge punch on the bottom.

You know when you find something you like and you just can't get away from it!!  LOL.

Anyway better crack on....more to do.

Hope you are all enjoying the holidays?!

365 day calendar

Oh I'm getting later and later with this and we're only just over half way through the year.

Still we have had great weather the last couple of days in Scotland so the family have been making the most of it and spending time on our local beach and in the sea, brrrr!

Now for July I have to admit hand on my heart that this has been a bit of a rush job,

with no crop this month to play at and plenty of other things on the horizon,

not to mention the kids at home....

it so interrupts my crafting time!  LOL.

I may have to go back to it at a later date and tweak it!

Anyway here it is:

I have used:

Papers from Making Memories Kids collection SAM.

Triangle punch from Woodware.

Stamps from Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Urban Grunge & Lost and Found.

Ink from Tattered Angels glimmer mist in Silver, Turquoise blue and Artic blue.

Now the reason for the bunting is that our local village has it's annual gala this month and it lasts for over a week with manner of events planned.

It really is a super week of entertainment for the school holidays....

all we need now is the weather to match!

I have also finished June,

which I love how it has turned out.

I hate to admit this but it is my favourite so far.

You can see what I used to make it in my earlier June post.

Why not pop on over to Kathryn's blog, who has organised this calender journalling and have a wee lookie at everyone else's work...you would not believe how different they all are.

Finally I am finishing on a wee bit of sad news,

yesterday I lost the last of my grandparents who died at the grand old age of 94.

RIP Grandma, I know you're in a better place.  xxx



Carnival time again!

It's party time again today with more lovely yummy new stamps from the Sugar Nellie team.

Two days on the trot and today I'm making up some candy floss to go with my sweet sugar stamp.
Again you can catch up with all the new stamps on the Funky Kits site.
You know you want too!

If you have arrived here from Michele's blog then you are in the right place,

if not

it's back to HOME  you go

 in case you miss anything,

and we don't want that, do we?

The stamp I am showcasing today.....drum roll.....is called

"Honey Pip"

from the Sherbet Pips range of which there are 5 cuties to choose from.

I have used:

Papers:  Cosmo Cricket Earth Love Turn over a new leaf Remember and Rethink.

Spellbinder Nestabilities:  Classic rectangles large.

Stamps:  Honey Pip, Sugar Nellie and Four frames, SU.

Die: SU

Buttons and seam binding from my local craft shop the House of Sugar.

I have also used Distress inks Peeled paint and Antique linen.

Finally colouring with my copics markers.

Now with Honey Pip I have added a wee tree trunk for her to sit on as I felt it went lovely with the papers and the image of her sat holding her wild flowers.

She is such a cutie.

But I go on...must be the sugar high!

Let's continue on the hop,

next up is the lovely

"Kiki"

Enjoy the Carnival and as the slogan goes,

"KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON......CRAFTING!"

Of course!!

Carnival time has arrived

Roll up, roll up and join the Carnival ride.

Today we are showcasing the new range of stamps from the wonderful Scottish company
 Sugar Nellie.

All stamps featured will be available at Funky Kits this weekend,
Karen, Kate and "Funkykitsman" have been working flat out
to get all this lovely rubberness ready for ya'll.
And yummy it is too.

If you have arrived to me from Michele's blog you are in the right place,
 if not you'll need to start with Sugar Nellie, and Tiets is the first to showcase.
The image I am sharing with you today is called
"The Best Gift is You",
 and although I am showcasing it as a Christmas card it could easily be altered for a Birthday card or really any other card that you are sending with a gift...so a great all rounder!

I have used:

Papers:  My Minds Eye Be Merry Oh Christmas tree, Snowball fun and Twas the Night before Christmas.

Spellbinder Nestabilities:  Labels 14.
Stamps:  The Best Gift is You, Sugar Nellie and Sentiment by Paper Artsy.
Twill and pearls from stash, coloured with copic pens and Distress ink Vintage Photo.

Thanks for popping on over to my little blog and checking out the new designs,
next on the Carnival hop is the
lovely Kiki,
enjoy and don't forget your pop-corn!
Mine is popping in the microwave as we speak!
More lovely rubberness for you tomorrow too,
I'd love to know if you've picked out a favourite already?!
Happy crafting. x