It's been a while...

Good evening fellow crafters, gosh it's been ages since my last post.  I've just been so busy getting organised for Christmas that crafting has taken a bit of a back seat.  Although I have been knitting some scarves for presents.  I'm sure we are all in the same boat just now.

I took some time tonight to chill with Iona and we watched Snow Buddies on DVD which was good fun, and I still managed to do some knitting at the same time!

I made this card last night for my crafty friend Fiona and her family.  I've just one more card to make - one for Iona, so watch this space!  Poor Rab, I was getting a bit worried about running out of time so I bought a shop one for him :o(

I've used Graphic 45 and Kanban papers matted and layered with kraft cardstock.  I've also used the kraft card for the LOTV sentiment and the punched snowflakes.  The main image is a topper by Wee Stamps.  I've finished off the card with pale blue pearls and gems and a brown gingham ribbon bow.  I really love the expressions on the girls faces they look like they're having a lot of fun!

I hope you are all more organised than I am!  I will catch up with everything I've missed over the last few weeks after the 25th! 

Just in case I don't manage time on here before hand I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and get everything you wish for.

Shona xx

Yummy Cake

Hello,

Well I've had another night off from crafting.  Mondays and Tuesdays are busy for me as Iona has clubs she goes to and my husband doesn't drive so Mum is the taxi service.  I'm always glad to get Tuesday over with as the rest of the week isn't usually so stressful!

This is a card I made (very quickly) on Saturday for my pal Fiona's daughter.  I'm not usually so disorganised but my plan to make it on Thursday night backfired after I spent 2 hours off and on  the phone to NHS 24 then ended up in A&E just before midnight after my aunt burst a blood vessel in her eye.  As she is 86 they didn't want to take any chances but happily she is completely fine, the look of it is the worst thing about it!

It wasn't so much of a rush as it sounds as I had already made up my mind that I would use this decoupaged Forever Friends image.  I mounted it on white pearlised card die-cut with a X-cut scalloped oval die.  I've used a smaller die-cut for the number 6.  I've used lilac gingham and spot papers by Craftworks Cards mounted on bright pink cardstock and added a ribbon bow, pearls and gems to finish.  The little flower stickers, sentiment and cardstock number sticker are all from forever friends.

I'm off to bed now or it will be another late one!

Feeling Blue!

Evening Folks,

I've taken a couple of days off blogging after the end of the A-Z Christmas Challenge and not done much crafting either!  The challenge just about wiped me out although I enjoyed it immensely.

I've also been taking part in the A-Z Colour Challenge over on Docrafts since it started earlier in the year, we are now on the letter 'U' for Ultramarine and/or Umber.  I decided on Ultramarine and thought I would make good use of my Capsule Collection papers I also decided to combine my card with Katy's Sketch Challenge as I really like the sketch this week.

I've really just followed the sketch and used different papers from the Burleigh Blue collection some of them layered with Coredinations Cardstock.  I've also used the cardstock to die-cut a flourish using a Tim Holtz/Sizzix die and a scalloped circle by X-cut to mount a LOTV sentiment on to.  I've fininshed the card with 3 gems as per the sketch but also added a sprinkling of gems around the flourish for extra detail.

I should really be making my Christmas cards for close family but I'm having a lazy few days and hopefully I'll catch up later in the week!

Shona xx

Z at last & I need some ZZZZs!

Hello,

Well I got there in the end!  It was fun but a lot of work too but in the main I enjoyed it.  Would I do it again?  Yes definitely but I'd make sure I was more organised in future!

So my card for Z - Z is for Z fold card.  I had a look at a tutorial for this over on You Tube last night and scribbled down measurements.  I had to get my card made before I got a turn on the PC tonight so I wasn't able to take another peek so I'm not sure if I got it right or not, it's kind of Z shaped anyway lol!  It was a complete mare to photograph because of the holographic trim to the topper and I tried both manual and auto settings to no avail so I'm afraid this is the best I could do with it!

I used a double sided fancy paper by Best Creation, glittered on one side and polka dot on the other, trimmed and folded into a Z Fold shape.  I punched the top edge with my Fiskars Threading Water punch.  As the card is pretty small I only really had room for one topper by My Paper Stash on the front.  I added some satin ribbon and a handmade flower made from ric rac braid with a pearl in the centre and a magazine freebie sentiment.  There was just enough room for a few clear square gems.

Off to bed soon for some ZZZs of a different kind!

Shona xx

Y is for Yuletide Blessings

Good evening!

It's the second last day of the A-Z Christmas Challenge over on Docrafts!  I don't know whether to be happy or sad lol.  I've enjoyed it and it's the kick up the rear end I needed to get on with my Christmas cards but at the same time it's been very time consuming.

So Y, I automatically thought of Yule but I had no idea what to make for that, but when I used the Nitwits papers for my Q for Quilt card I spotted the ideal topper!

Everything I've used is from the Nitwits Tapestry of Christmas Collection, which was free with a recent magazine, apart from the gold textured card which has been in my stash forever, the gems and the ribbon.

I'm also using this card for the sketch challenge I'm hosting which is also over on DoCrafts.

BOGOF tonight lol!

In other words two A-Z Challenges for the price of one!

Not many days left of the challenge, here are W and X.

For W I've gone for Waiting and Watching by the Window.  I've used a Tulip topper and sentiment, red freebie paper and lilac spot paper layered with co-ordinating plain card.  I've used red satin ribbon and purple pearls to finish it off.

My second card tonight is X for X-stitch or Xmas Tree. 

The topper, sentiment and foiled floral card are all by Kanban.  The toppers are from the Nordic Scenes collection.  All I've added to this simple Scandi style card is some red and white ribbon and red pearls.  I'm also entering this one into the Noah's Ark Challenge also over at DoCrafts.

V is for Vintage & Victoriana

Good afternoon,

Hope everyone is having a nice relaxing Sunday.  I finally tore myself away from my knitting at midnight last night to make my card for V!  I decided around 10.15 last night to start knitting a scarf with Can Can wool, my aunt had bought the wool a few weeks ago but couldn't understand the instructions so I had a quick look at You Tube then got going with it!  I had intended showing her what to do but I enjoyed it so much I just carried on and had a complete scarf by bed time!  In fact I liked it so much I went and bought 4 more balls in various colours today!  I will post a photo once I finish the ends properly!

So my card - V is for Vintage and Victoriana.  I was originally planning to do a Village scene for V but forces conspired against me lol.  First of all I came across some gorgeous Vintage toppers in my fave craft shop then the new Dolly Mixtures challenge was posted and the theme was Vintage/Victoriana.  So the Village idea has been put on the back burner for now!

The topper and cream patterned paper is from a pack by My Paper Stash, the Merry Christmas paper is a magazine freebie.  The ribbon and lace are both from the HOTP Vintage Christmas collection and the doilly was part of a challenge prize.  I've finished the card off with opalescent gems and pearls for more of a vintage look.

Right, I'd better go now and cook dinner then have a think about what I'll make for W!

U is for Under The Mistletoe

Hello again,

We are back from the Christmas Fair where we had a lovely afternoon.  Iona won 2 raffles and a few bottles from the bottle stall.  I didn't win anything, she had all the luck!

I'm caught up again with the A-Z challenge, I made a quick card for U before dinner and I'll do my V card after Iona's in bed!

The papers and all the toppers as well as the Foiled dome sticker are all from the Forever Friends A Christmas Tale collection from DoCrafts.  The only other additions are some ribbon and gems.

I'm also using this card for the Bear Challenge I'm hosting over on DoCrafts where the requirement is for Festive Flowers or Foliage so the Mistletoe and Holly fits in with that!

I probably won't be back with my V card until tomorrow morning as OH has a DJing gig tonight and is taking the camera out with him!

Shona xx

T is for Tatty Teddy

Hello and Good Morning!

Sorry no post yesterday I wasn't well and didn't feel much like crafting (very unusual lol).  I'm now a little behind with the A-Z so I'll hopefully be back again later with U!

Before that I am going to the sheltered housing complex around the corner from us to run a bottle stall at their Christmas Fair.  We always have such fun when we go there and Iona loves it too!

Ok, so onto my card for the letter 'T'.  This time I have gone for Tatty Teddy.  I have used the same layout of an earlier TT Christmas card which I was really happy with, which is on my DoCrafts Gallery (before my blogging days!).  This is the first time I've used TT with anything other than pastel colours and I think the rich reds look even better!

I've used a Tatty Teddy glittered topper and sentiment (thanks again Fiona!) and matted and layered them on to deep red card.  The papers are ones I picked up in Carole's Crafts, I have no idea which brand they are.  You can't see very clearly from the photo but the underneath one has snowflakes on it.  I've added some stars die-cut with my X-cut nesting dies using off-white glitter spot card and the same red card I used for the matting and layering.  The only other embellishments are some ribbon and pearls.

Hope you all have a fantastic Saturday, catch up with you later on xx

S is for Santa Claus

Hello again,

My posts seem to be creeping later again, oopsy!  It's been a long day that started with a trip to drop off Iona at Breakfast Club.  The lady that runs the club at the school is also a keen papercrafter and we often swap bits and pieces and talk about our latest projects.  Last week I took in my Kissing Eskimo card to show her as she's not tried an easel card before and today to my amazement the class was full of Kissing Eskimo cards!  She'd found the digi image and printed out copies for all the kids to colour in with her promarkers.  They all look fantastic and they are going to sell them at the school fete next weekend!

So on to my 'S' card - as I didn't have much time to spend on it the Nitwits papers have come to my rescue again!  These ones are from the Merry & Bright collection and were kindly passed on to me by my friend Fiona.

 

 

I've used two of the papers and layered them up with bright pink card which I've also die-cut using an X-cut circle die.  I've also cut a scalloped circle in white to mount the die-cut topper from the collection.  The sentiment was trimmed down from one of the stickers and the poinsettia is another sticker.  A few capsule collection polka buttons and a large recycled ribbon bow finish off this quick make.

 

 

So glad tomorrow is Friday!  Night night xx

 



R is for Reindeer & Ric rac

Hello!

I'm glad to say that I am now reunited with my car yipee!  I've only had a car for around 5 years I do not know how I survived so long without one although I probably was much fitter back then from all the walking!

We are now on the letter 'R' of the A-Z Challenge, so not too many left to make now!  Unfortunately, I'm playing catch up just now so most of my recent cards have used toppers rather than stamping and colouring which I really enjoy.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to do some more of that over the weekend.  My 'R' card actually has a few 'R's - Reindeer, Ric Rac & Red.

The Reindeer paper and die cut topper are both by Kanban and were a purchase I made over 2 years ago and never used until now (I have no idea why as they are gorgeous) and I've layered them over red satin mirri board.  The velvet ric rac braid was a magazine freebie a while back and the sentiment and snowflakes stamps are by Paula Pascual.

I'm off now to get my thinking cap on for 'S' as there's quite a few things I could make I'm kinda spoiled for choice lol!

Shona xx

Q is for Quilt

Well a slightly earlier post tonight!  Only because I'm making myself go to bed before 11pm as I have to get up earlier than usual, reason being I don't have my car.  The garage had to order a new clutch cable and it won't be with them until tomorrow, fingers crossed I get it back sometime tomorrow.

Anyway on to my card.  It's another quickie tonight and I've been making use of those Nitwits freebie papers again!

 

 

This time I've used the Tapestry of Christmas papers.  All the papers, topper & sentiment are from the same collection.  I've used the 2nd smallest Spellbinders Swatches nesting die to make the quilt squares and added some faux stitching.  The only extra embellishments I've used are a purple ribbon bow and a couple of capsule collection buttons.

 

I'm on the clock now so night night xx

P is for Polar Bear, Penguin & Pal!

Hello!

Back to the late night posts I'm afraid.  It's been a bit of a Manic Monday with lots of running back and fore in Mum's taxi and Parent's Council this evening.

I've made a very quick card for the letter P as I had nothing ready.  Luckily I'd bought a new magazine at the weekend that had these lovely papers and cut out elements so they came in very handy!

They are by Nitwits which are always really funky, bright and cheery!  All I've added to the paper elements are some faux stitching, red pearls and some turquoise felt snowflakes from Iona's stash!

Now please everyone cross your fingers for my poor car, it is going into the garage tomorrow because there is something up with the gears and/or clutch pedal, hopefully the latter.  I hope it is not going to be mega expensive :o(

Shona xx

O is for Owl

Ok so I said I wouldn't be posting this until tomorrow but I believe someone once said never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.  It's nearly tomorrow now anyway so here it is my card for 'O'.

I've made this for one of my friends at work and her family because her daughter loves owls!

I've used a gatefold card blank and papers and a topper from the Festive Frolics paper pack.  This paper pack was in a DoCrafts goody bag some time back but I keep going back to what's left of it because it's just soooo cute!  I've inked the edges of the papers with Tim Holtz Spun Sugar Distress Ink pad and the stamped sentiment is by LOTV.  It's been very simply finished off with hot pink gingham ribbon, gems, card and baker's twine from Dovecraft.

This really is the last post of the night honest!

Shona xx

N is for Noel

I'm just in time with this one!  I coloured the stamped image last night while watching Children In Need with Iona.  It is quite a small and detailed design so I needed the fine nib attachments, then I was too lazy to do much else, I also didn't have much inspiration for what to do with it once I coloured it so I slept on it!

In the end I went for a very CAS layout.  I've used a freebie stamp coloured with Promarkers, freebie paper, boofle ribbon bows, gems pearls and red card.  Not a lot to it really.

I've also made my card for 'O' but I'll save that for tomorrow.

Hope you're all having a fab weekend,
Shona xx

M is for Moments of Faith

Hello again!  Well I managed to get to bed just after midnight last night, that's a definite improvement on the last few evenings and I intend on doing the same tonight!

We are now on the letter M and day 13 of the A-Z Christmas Challenge over at DoCrafts - that's halfway woop woop!!  On the home straight now lol!

I've gone for a very quick and simple card for M using a new embossing folder and toppers from the Moments of Faith sheet that came in my goody bag.

The embossing folder is the Textured Impressions Holiday Frame from Stampin' Up, I've used a paper and gingham ribbon from the HOTP Vintage Christmas Collection and everything else is off the Moments of Faith topper sheet.

I really like this embossing folder now I've used it, I'm sure you'll see it again before all my Christmas cards are finished!

Off to bed very soon but it's Friday tomorrow yay!

Shona xx

L is for Letter Box

Well I'm a little earlier tonight!  I WILL go to bed before midnight tonight!

No crafting for me tonight but here's one I made earlier!

 

 

I've no idea where this image is from, it was part of a bundle of stash I won recently for a challenge over at Docrafts!  I love the vintage feel to it.  I've cropped it down to fit on a mat I cut using a Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles die.  I've also die cut a fancy corner with a Marianne Die, for both and some of the layering I've used copper coloured card.  The faded looking pinky red paper is by Kanban and the cream one is by Graphic 45 (again my fave brand!) I've finished off the card with a pre-cut sentiment, pearls and a ribbon bow from the HOTP Vintage Christmas collection.

 

I'm also entering this card into the Sketch Challenge (153) also over at Docrafts.

 

BTW apologies for not leaving comments on your blogs recently I've been a bit overwhelmed trying to keep up with the A-Z challenge, but hopefully starting to get back on top of it again now.

 

Shona xx



K is for Kissing...Eskimo Style!

Another card, another late night.  Straight to bed after posting on here and on Docrafts I think!  I've actually made 2 cards tonight as I'm planning a bit more Christmas shopping tomorrow evening so I need to get ahead. 

We are now on day eleven of the A-Z Christmas challenge and the letter 'K'. 

I've made another twisted easel card for this challenge and the main focus is a topper from a set by Wee Stamps which just jumped straight into my basket when I was buying the Memory Box dies!  The brown printed paper is by Kanban and the blue one is by Graphic 45.  I've used a ready diecut shape from Papermania and stamped on a sentiment using a Tim Holtz ink pad.  I've finished the card quite simply with a couple of snowflakes punched from kraft card, gingham ribbon bows and brown pearls.

Right tomrrow night I resolve to get on here before midnight, let's see if it happens!!!

Shona xx

J is for Jingle Bells

These posts are getting later and later, oh how I wish I'd got some more cards made at the weekend!

Anyway we are now on Day 10 of the A-Z Daily Christmas Challenge so by the end of this week we will be over half way - yay!  I started off really organised with several made in advance but now I'm only around a day ahead, if that.

I have to admit I struggled quite a bit to come up with something for the letter 'J'.  Then I remembered some silver bells one of the teaching assistants at Iona's school had given me (she is also a crafter and I had given her some magazines and stuff) and thought they would be ideal, I didn't have a suitable image so I did a search on Dearie Dolls Blog, it's always a great source for freebie digi's, and I wasn't disappointed.  The image I used is called Jingle Bell Boy and has been coloured with promarkers.

This time round I've used an 8x8 Kraft cardblank, I'm always a bit wary of using such large cards as I sometimes find the space hard to fill so I've gone for quite a large sentiment which is a FF clear sticker on more kraft cardstock.  All the papers are from the Papermania Boofle collection and are also matted on Kraft card.  The die I've used to mount the image on is from the Swatches nesting dies by Spellbinders.  I've finished the card with various capsule collection buttons, gems and checked bows, all from DoCrafts and red pearls from Hobbycraft.

I'd better get off to bed now, goodnight x

I is for Ice Skating

Hello again! 

More late night blogging I'm afraid but I won't have much time tomorrow evening and wanted to get my card posted over on Docrafts too.

It's been a busy day, we did manage to get over to see the Remembrance Parade set off from the British Legion, I'm pleased to say there was a really good turn out.  We also managed to put the primer on Iona's Doll's House, which I'm ashamed to say we built earlier in the year and painting it's been on our to do list ever since.  I've taken some 'before' shots so hopefully I'll post the 'after' shots up here too in due course!  As well as a spot of housework I managed to make a couple of banana loaves so all in all it's been a very productive day.

On to my card, I was struggling to think of a subject for the letter 'I' then I remembered about this cute stamp from LOTV with a little girl ice skating and carrying bags of Christmas shopping.

I've coloured in the image with promarkers and highlighted the fur on her coat and hat with star dust stickles.  I've succumbed at last to the lure of the Memory Box Frostyville die I've hankered after for ages and also bought the Snowflake corner die at the same time, I've used these to cut white pearl card.  As the dies are quite ornate I've just used one patterned paper from the Papermania Noel collection.  I've added a sentiment and some gems and that's it for 'I'.

I'm off to bed very soon as unfortunately I have work tomorrow.

Night night x

H is for Humphreys Corner

Good Morning,

It's a bit of a dull, dreary November day and also a day to reflect on all the service men and women who have given their lives serving our country in the two world wars and more recent conflicts.  I'm not sure yet if we are going out to watch the parade but if not they will still be in our thoughts.

Iona, my aunt and myself had a girly day yesterday and went out for lunch then spent the rest of the afternoon Christmas shopping.  We got on grand and the car was laden on the way home!  The flip side was I was too tired to do much cardmaking last night but I did do some colouring for my next card and also did some cross stitching - I'm working on a couple of tree decorations.  I also finished off my card for the letter H.

I've used a decoupage Humphreys Corner image and paper from a freebie kit that came with a recent magazine.  I've added gingham paper from the Papermania Cranberry & Apple Capsule Collection, which I also used to trim the top with a X-cut lacey border punch, a FF sentiment mounted on a tag.  I've finished the card off with some ribbon, card candi and some red star shaped gems.

Have a great Sunday xx

G is For Gingerbread Cookie

That's the name of the digi image I've chosen for my letter 'G' card for the A-Z Daily Challenge.  I'm glad it's Friday and definitely looking forward to having a relaxing weekend with maybe a little Christmas Shopping and a bit of crafting.  Iona and I spent some time together earlier colouring in a couple of digi images by Sugar Nellie, I think she loves crafting as much as I do and is in a craft after school club every Monday!

Onto the card, I've used a digi image by Sugar Nellie which is available from www.funkykits.co.uk which I've coloured with Promarkers, I've die-cut the image using X-cut nesting circle dies and inked it while still in the die with a Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink Pad.  The sentiment is put together using a round Paula Pascual stamp with a LOTV sentiment stamped inside, this has also been distressed with the same ink.  I've used Docrafts Boofle papers and a snowflake sticker by East of India from John Lewis trimmed to fit the red card mount for the background.  I've also used the X-cut border punch I bought last weekend to add extra detail to one of the papers.  I've finished off the card with some pearl hearts, gems and a ribbon bow.

I'm also entering this card into the A-Z Colour Challenge over at the Docrafts website.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Shona xx

F is for Forever Friends

Hi folks,

I'm a wee bit earlier tonight with my post.  We had Iona's parents evening at the school tonight and thankfully she got a glowing report so we are both very proud of her.  The bad news is the A-Z challenge has caught up with me and I don't have anything ready for G yet although I have downloaded a gorgeous Sugar Nellie digi to use (thank you to Kate for tipping me off about these) and technically I don't need it until Saturday so I'll need to get busy tomorrow evening!

So here's my card for Day Six of the A-Z Daily Challenge - F is for Forever Friends.

I've used a Forever Friends Die-cut Image and mounted it on a white scalloped circle and a red lacey circle cut using X-cut & Spellbinders dies respectively.  I've used papers from the same Forever Friends A Christmas Tale collection matted and layered with more red card.  I've finished the card with a red organza ribbon bow, gems and sentiment.  I've mounted the sentiment on more of the FF paper folded into a banner shape.

I'm also entering this card into the Bear Challenge also over at the DoCrafts website.

Shona xx

E is for Easel Card

Good Evening!

I'm here much later than planned after having to remove some rogue programs that got installed on the PC when my husband tried to install some DJ mixing software grrr! 

Anyways, We are now on the letter 'E' for the A-Z Daily Christmas Challenge over at the DoCrafts/Creativity Website.

My card for Day 5 is a Twisted Easel Card in very non-traditional colours, you might just need your sunglasses for this one!

I've used a Tulip Urban Stamp from my Goody Bag coloured with Promarkers as the main focus of the card and used co-ordinating freebie papers and sentiment.  The stars are die cut using a X-cut nesting set from odd scraps of bright card. To finish it off I've used some bright pink dotty organza ribbon (thanks to Fiona again!) and lots of multi coloured gems to pick up the colours from the image and papers.

I'm also entering this card into the Stamping/Digi Challenge which is also over on the DoCrafts website.

D is for Die Cutting

The thread has been posted for day 4 of the A-Z Daily Christmas Challenge and we are now on the letter D.  As well as objects, colours, etc the day's letter can also be a technique so I've decided to go for Die Cutting.

 

 

I've made the die cut pointsettias the main focus of the card, they were die-cut on my bigshot using Spellbinders Shapeabilities dies.  I've left the rest of the card simple with a backing paper, die cut sentiment topper and peel-offs from the Hot Off The Press Vintage Christmas pack.  The only other addition was Xmas Red Stickles glitter glue.

 

Off to bed very soon I think!  Goodnight xx

 

 



C is for Candles

Haha this title reminds me of the sketch from The Two Ronnies - showing my age now lol!

We had a lovely evening at the local bonfire and fireworks display and I didn't find it too cold although we did wrap up warm.  Iona thoroughly enjoyed herself and there were lots of oohs and ahs!  She also went out like a light which is always a bonus!

The thread is already up for day 3 of the A-Z Christmas Challenge over at DoCrafts/Creativity so I'm quite safe to post my card early!

I've gone for a style that is very unusual for me - nearly all of the card is stamped and heat embossed.  Cutting out the card around the stamped image is a brilliant idea I got from a DoCrafts demo by Nikki Smith last year.

 

 

The main stamp is by Papermania and I was lucky enough to grab it in the sale in my favourite craft shop a few months ago, although I had to buy a larger acrylic block to accommodate it so it wasn't so much of a bargain!  The sentiment stamp is by Paula Pascual for Personal Impressions.  I've used silver Papermania embossing powder and Versamark ink and heat embossed both.  The only other additions are the embossed silver card, some Stickles glitter glue and a few gems.

 

 

As well as the A-Z Christmas Daily Challenge I'm also entering this card into the A-Z Colour challenge over on DoCrafts/Creativity which is 'S' for Silver.

 

My stamping isn't the best but I really enjoyed making this card as it is not my usual style.

 

Bye for now,

Shona xx

B is for Boofle!

I'm a little early for day 2 but I see the day's thread has already been posted over at DoCrafts/Creativity so it's all good.

Today's letter is B and I've made a Boofle Card made almost entirely from the DoCrafts Goody Bag my friend Fiona gave me for my birthday.

I've used a Papermania gatefold cardblank and covered it inside and out with papers from the Boofle A4 paper pack.  I've used the X-cut Doorplate nesting dies to cut red and white cardstock as a mount for the decoupage image.  I've added a sentiment from the cardstock stickers, a Boofle bow and some Capsule Collection polka dot buttons to finish. 

I'm still around 3 days ahead with cards but that will change as I don't expect to get much done over the next couple of days.  We are planning an outing to the local Firework display tomorrow night so fingers crossed the weather will be ok.

Goodnight all xx

And we're off! Letter A

Good Morning!

I'm so excited that this is the first day of the A to Z Daily Challenge over on the DoCrafts/Creativity website!  I've had this card made for a while but I haven't been able to post it until today!  It's A for Armchair!

The digi image is from Dearie Dolls and you can find it here, I've coloured it with Promarkers then mounted it on some freebie papers and green card which I've edged using my new Fiskars Threading Water border punch.  The sentiment is also a magazine freebie.  I've finished off the card with various Papermania capsule collection polka dot buttons and a Boofle bow.

I'm also using this card for the Noah's Ark Challenge I'm hosting also over at DoCrafts/Creativity.

Oh well one down, just another 25 to go!!!

Hope you all have a great Sunday xx

Better late than never

Hi Folks,

It's been another busy week in the Hamill household, as well as all the usual running around we had Trick or Treaters on Wednesday and a Halloween School Disco on Thursday.  I haven't done much crafting this week apart from my first card for the A-Z Daily Christmas challenge which starts over at DoCrafts/Creativity tomorrow.  Here are some of the Halloween boxes I made last weekend.

The papers and toppers are a mixture of freebie downloads from www.crafting.co.uk and Graphic 45 12x12's from the Happy Haunting collection.  I've just added some ribbon, gems and cardstock alphabet stickers from Papermania to decorate.

I'm a bit nervous of taking on the Christmas Challenge it's a lot of cards to commit to but I'm going to give it my best shot so watch this space!!!

Sorry I've been neglecting my blog already!

Hi Folks,

I'm sad to say that already I'm neglecting my blog.  I've had a busy week since going back to work and haven't had an awful lot of time for crafting or blogging.  It's mostly my 7 year old daughter's busy social life that's to blame and this coming week won't be much better!

On Saturday morning she had a friend's 8th birthday party which had a Monster High theme (for those not clued up on such things it's like High School Musical for Goths!) so I had to customise some shop bought halloween clothes and a wig to fit in more around the look.  I also made a Monster High style card for the Birthday Girl.

In the evening Iona and I also had a Halloween Disco with her Cheerleading squad so we spent a fun afternoon decorating fairy cakes my auntie very kindly made and carving a pumpkin.  All in all it was a very busy day!  These are our cake decorating efforts!

I did manage to make a get well card earlier on in the week but I didn't get a chance to put it on here.  It's another one using the Country Companions Lover's Lane paper pack.  Now that I've rediscovered it I'm sure you'll see a lot more of it!  I've used more or less the same layout as the last one as I think it works quite well on a smaller card.

 

 

It was a quick make using Papermania Boysenberry Capsule Collection papers and a topper from the Country Companions Lover's Lane paper pack.  The lace punch is an old favourite from Stampin' Up and the sentiment stamp is from a set by Personal Impressions which was a recent buy.  I've used Aubergine Versamagic chalk ink to stamp on the patterned paper.  I've finished it off with toning satin board card, ribbon, pearls and gems.

 

I'm off now to have a nosey at what you've all been up to over the last week.

 

Bye for now,

Shona xx

 



Back to Work...

Hi folks,

 

I'm sad to say I had to go back to work today.  The last few days of my holiday just flew by, I had a fab time at my friends' wedding dance on Saturday and yesterday I got myself organised for going back to work but it was to no avail, I still managed to sleep in this morning and ended up in a rush as usual!

 

To cheer myself up I've made a few cards this evening.  This one I'm entering into the Noah's Ark Challenge over on the DoCrafts website.  The Challenge is for two animals of either the same type or two different, at least two papers and a bit of bling.

 

 

I've used a topper and papers from the Country Companions Lover's Lane A5 paper pack.  The border punch is from x-cut and the die I've layered the LOTV sentiment stamp on is part of my new Floral Framelits set from Stampin' Up.  I've finished off with pinkish red card, pearls and gems.

 

Hope I don't sleep in again tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

Late night blogging after a busy day

Good morning!

I'm late on the go tonight or should I say I'm very early this morning?  We have had a busy day today, my husband had a day off so we decided to go to Landmark which is a Forest Adventure Park near Aviemore.  It's just a short drive away from us which is just as well as it was teaming with rain and not the best for driving in.  Once we were there we wrapped up warm and didn't let the rain get in our way.  Iona loved the roller coaster and the water slides!  On the way home we stopped for chips so I was able to get straight into some crafting when I got home which was just as well as I had to make a Wedding Card for later today!

So onto the card, I have to say it is very plain even by my usual standards but with such an ornate die it really doesn't need much other embelishment.

I've used a square cardblank and matted and layered white card onto navy blue card, then holographic mirri card.  I've used the holographic card again for the die-cut which is by Marianne.  The sentiment is a new stamp I've just got from Stampin' Up which I've stamped with Versamark then heat embossed with silver Papermania embossing powder.  I've added a few pearls and that's it.  Very CAS!

Since finishing my card I've had my hougie board out and made half a dozen mini pizza boxes which I'm going to decorate and fill with goodies for Halloween!  But right now bed is calling me zzz!

Halloween is coming but not before Christmas!

Afternoon everyone.

I've been working on a couple of Halloween cards as it is just around the corner, however, tonight I'm going to the Christmas Opening Event at Howdens Garden Centre (which also houses my favourite craft shop yay!).  I'm looking forward to seeing what colours and theme are most popular for decorations this year.  Last year the look was very folky with lots of Gingerbread Men (and Ladies!).  Personally, my tree is aways bedecked in a multitude of colours and styles, some old and some new, but I do like to get at least one new decoration every year so maybe I'll pick up something tonight!  My daughter is more interested in the face painting and the balloon animals!

Anyways, back to Halloween and I've made a card for the Floral Challenge over at the DoCrafts Creativity Website.  The Challenge is for a Halloween themed card that must contain flowers, ribbon or lace, gems or buttons and Halloween colours.  It wouldn't be my usual choice for a card but I quite like the quirky image and clashing colours.

I've used a freebie backing paper and a sentiment downloaded from www.crafting.co.uk mounted on purple cardstock from my stash and a freebie digi image from Dearie Dolls which you can find here coloured in with Promarkers. I've mounted this on white card die-cut with an X-cut Scalloped Circle nesting die which was then mounted on to purple card die-cut with a Spellbinders Nestabilities Lacey Circle die.  I've also die cut some leaves on black card using a Sizzix Sizzlits Little Leaves die from Stampin' Up.  The orange flower is by Woodware and the others are from Hobbycraft.  I've finished off the card with gems and black satin ribbon.

 I've also managed to make another quick card using the leftovers from the downloads and I've just added some black lace, black and orange card, organza ribbon and some gems.

There are some pretty good freebie downloads on www.crafting.co.uk if you want to take a look.

I'm off for some lunch so bye for now.

Shona xx

My very first post!

Good evening everyone!

 

Well I've finally made it to blogland!  I don't have a clue what I'm doing and I'm struggling to get my chosen template up and running but here I am anyway and I'm sure the rest will come with practice!

 

I'm loving being on holiday this week, after a busy weekend away in Aberdeen and a lazy day yesterday I got down to a little bit of crafting today as well as some baking with Iona and soup making.  Iona really enjoyed making a Victoria Sandwich and decorating it her way, even the cherries are upside down lol!

 

I got a nice surprise this evening when my husband brought home my Stampin' Up goodies I ordered, they'd been dropped off at his work.  I can't wait to have a play with them, especially the Mr & Mrs stamp, as I have a Wedding card to make before Saturday.

 

I'm going to hit publish just now and hope for the best then I'm going to try and work out how to change the time and get a decent template on here! Bye for now...