Happy New Year

Hello

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and got lots of lovely prezzies. I was dreading Christmas as it was my first without my Dad. I did miss him and there were a few tears but I was okay and we all had a lovely time. We had Christmas Day at home and Hazel (MIL) came for the day. I am very lucky as my MIL is lovely and very easy to please so all in all a stress free day. On Boxing Day we went over to my Mum's for another Christmas Day as we don't exchange presents until Boxing Day so we can all open them together. So more eating and presents and another lovely day was had by all.

I got lots of lovely presents. Chris and the children got me craft vouchers from our local craft shop, perfume, CD's, bath smellies and chocs. My family didn't know what to get me so I mostly got money which was great as I have had a good online spend at Craft Superstore, Craft Obsessions, Craftwork Cards and Pink Gem Designs. I also popped into our local Factory Shop on Sunday and got several Dovecraft christmas products which were in the sale. I am well and truly spent out now so no more craft goodies for a while.

My first parcel of goodies arrived today from Pink Gem Designs. I placed my order on Saturday and my stamps arrived today (fab service). They are all so cute and I can't wait to have a play. If you haven't already had a look you must pop along as there is a clearance sale.

Hopefully I will be back soon with some challenge cards but If I am not back before I would just like to wish you a Happy New Year.


New Year Comments

It's Christmas Eve!!

Good Morning

Well it's Christmas Eve so doubt very much that I will be on again until after Christmas Day. I would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas. Hope Santa brings you something nice.


Christmas Comments

Cute Card Thursday ~ #41 Open Theme

Good Morning

Luckily I am feeling much better today which is good news for me as I have so much to do today that I haven't got time to feel unwell lol! Jamie is also much better today.

Over at Cute Card Thursday it is an "Open Theme" so I have made another card using an image from the Maria G Designs. I was going to send this to my cousin and his family but Chris really likes this one and wants to send it to our friends.



I am going into town with the children later to get the last few bits. Chris is going out for a meal with some of his work colleagues tonight so think I might take the children out for something to eat so I don't have to cook tonight.

Just Christmas and Birthday Extra Challenge #3 and Sketch #12

Hello

This is the first time I have participated in the Just Christmas and Birthdays Challenge. My first card is the Extra Challenge #3 and the challenge was to make a card inspired by some cute stamps of a cup, cupcake and teapot. The image is from a Maria G Designs CD (Teddy Bears). I think this cute little bear looks like she is about to enjoy a nice cup of tea and a cupcake lol!



Image = Maria G Designs
BP = Dovecraft Retro Floral
Flowers = Prima
Ribbon = Dovecraft
Brads/Sentiment = Stash

My second card is the Sketch Challenge #12. The image is from the same CD mentioned above.



Image = Maria G Designs
BP = Forever Friends
Snowflakes/Gems/Sentiment = Stash

Pollycraft Challenge #5 - Male Birthday & Mum's Calendar

Good Morning

I have made a card for the Pollycraft Challenge. The challenge was to make a male birthday card and as I had a cute Winston Bear download I bought earlier this year when Pollycraft sold downloads on Ebay I decided he would be perfect for the challenge. This is the first time I have used Winston Bear and he is very cute (well I think so lol!) and it is also the first time I have used these papers.



Image = Winston Bear
B/P & Ribbon = Americal Traditional Design
Brad & Gems = From stash

I have also finished making the calendar I am giving my Mum for Christmas. I have used a mixture of photos - some taken this year and others when the children were much younger. Here are some of the photos - I will add more later.







I am now going back to bed as I have been awake most of the night as I have a really bad headache. Jamie is also poorly and he has been awake since 5.30 am so we have been downstairs since 6.00 am. I was meant to be at work today but have had to phone in to say I won't be in.

Hope you are all ready for Christmas lol! x

Blog Award!

Good Morning

Today my mum and nan are coming over as it is Jamie's school nativity this afternoon. It is also Chloe's this morning but unfortunately she is poorly with a very bad cold so isn't at school. She is very disappointed, especially as her nan's were coming to watch her.

Now on to my blog award which I received from Joanne. Thanks Joanne - It is lovely to receive awards from crafting "friends".



This award's rules are:- You have to give it to 5 others and link to those people as well as who gave it to you, Those 5 shall also pass it on to another 5 people, Plus you have to write down 5 things you are addicted too!

Here are my 5 addictions!

1. My children and OH

2. Papercrafts

3. Buying crafty goodies

4. Walking in the woods/beach

5. Chicken kebabs from our local Kebab Shop - yummy!


I'd like to pass this blog award to:

1. Lynsey

2. Tara

3. Katy

4. Gina

5. Tab

SCSC #11

Hello

I haven't had much time for cardmaking as I have been busy doing inserts for all my Christmas cards as I really need to get them in the post ASAP. Still have a few more to make but they are for family/close friends so will be delivered by hand so have a few more days yet. However, I did manage to make a card this morning for the SCSC as Chris was visiting him mum as he does most Sunday mornings and the children were watching a DVD together.

This week it is a sketch challenge designed by Donna. I had already coloured this cute Tilda so only had to decide which papers to use. I had an unopened pack of Dovecraft "Tis the Season" papers so thought I would use these.




Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

PBSC

Good Morning

Just a quick post with my PBSC card as I am off to work shortly. It's very cold and wintery outside today so don't really feel like going to work especially as the Christmas tree is up so it looks very festive inside. Anyway on to my card for the PBSC. This week the challenge is a sketch designed by Beth. I really like this sketch so will definitely use it again.

2 in 1 Challenge

Good Morning

We have woken up to a frosty start to the day here in Norfolk. I do love frosty mornings, especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas as it makes it more festive. Hopefully we will be putting the Christmas tree and decorations up today if I can persuade Chris (my OH) to go up in the loft and get the boxes down for me.

Last night I made a Christmas card for Chris and combined 2 challenges. I stumbled upon a challenge blog I hadn't come across before called My Time to Craft and it was fab sketch designed by Becky so I have used this sketch. Over at Cute Card Thursday they want to see "hearts" and as this card is for Chris I thought it would be nice to add some to his card. Hope he likes it!





Sentiment reads "Merry Christmas" but it doesn't show up very well in the photo.

If you have time to leave a comment it would be most appreciated.

Sketch Saturday Challenge #27

Good Evening

I made my son's Christmas card using the fab sketch over at Sketch Saturday this week. I didn't really have any suitable stamps so I used this cute dog image which is from the Crafter's Companion "A Touch of Christmas" disc which came free with a magazine a few weeks ago. I didn't really like the matching papers so have used some from my stash as detailed below.





Image = Crafter's Companion
BP = DCWV Christmas Wishes and Dovecraft Contemporary Christmas

Any comments are most appreciated.

Daughter's Christmas Card

A few weeks ago I made a Christmas card for my daughter. However, she keeps telling me how cute Tilda is so I decided to make her another one so hope she likes it!



Image = Tilda with Lantern
BP = Forever Friends/Papermania Christmas
Sentiment = DCWV Christmas Wishes Rub-on

Forever Friends!

Hello

I have just got back from the school run and can't believe it is nearly dark. At the moment I have to do it twice as my little boy is part-time so he comes home at lunchtime. However, he will start full-time after Christmas. I must admit I feel quite sad that I won't have anyone at home with me in the afternoons but am sure I will get used to it.

As I had stamped several FF Christmas images I have made 3 more quick & simple cards. The card size is A6 and I haven't used this size for quite a while so it seemed strange.

I have also made a quick & simple birthday card for a family member. She is 14 so hope she likes FF bears. It made a change to make a "non-christmas" card. The papers are Tim Coffey Young Girl and they are all really pretty - so much so I don't like cutting them lol. The cute image was kindly sent to me from Lynsey.

I only have FF Christmas stamps but think I might have to buy some different ones for bithdays etc as I really like these cute little bears.






As always any comments are most appreciated.

Forever Friends - Contemporary Christmas

This is the first time I have participated in the Forever Friends Challenge where this week the theme is Contemporary Christmas.

Secret Crafter Challenge - #9

There is a fab sketch over at the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge this week. I decided to make my an A5 size Christmas card for my Nan using this sketch and am quite pleased with how it has turned out.

Pollycraft Challenge #4

Hello

I made a card this afternoon for the Pollycraft Challenge. This time we have been given the chance to 'CHOOSE A CHALLENGE'and the options are 1)Sketch Challenge or 2) Use the free papers

Also Pollycraft are looking for new Design Team members and if you would like to be considered for the DT you need to take part in BOTH challenges, either make one card combining the sketch and free papers or make 2 cards.

I decided to combine the challenges and here is the card I made. I must say I am quite pleased with this card so hope my mum likes it.





As always any comments are most appreciated.

Blog Awards

Good Morning

In the last 2 weeks I have been given 2 awards so am a little late in posting about them on my blog. I am sure you will all agree with me that it is so lovely to be given these awards from our crafting "friends".

1) The Kreative Blogger Award was kindly given to me by Carol. I was also given this award a few weeks ago but it is always nice to receive it again. Thanks Carol. x



The rules are you need to pass this on to another 5 blogs and a link to the one who gave you the award. Don't forget to let them know you have left them something on your blog.

I am passing this award on to the following 5 people:
Lynsey
Sonia
Ruth
Sue
Julie

2) The Proximity Award was kindly given to me by Lynsey. Thanks Lynsey. x



The award means that this blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind blogger's aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to 8 blogger's who must choose 8 more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I am passing this award on to the following 8 people:
Macpurp
Barbara
Michele
Vicky
Lesley
Tara
Kathleen
Mina

Sorry if you have already received these awards but if you are anything like me it is always nice to be given them again lol. x

Secret Crafter Challenge #8

Hello

Here is my card for the Secret Crafter Challenge where the theme is "decoupage". I cut out these cute polar bears ages ago and hadn't got round to making them into a card.



BP = Papermania Christmas
Ribbon = DCWV Christmas Wishes
X-Cut snowflakes in blue & silver with a white pearl gem

Any comments are most appreciated.

Blooming Marvelous!

Hello

Just a quick post tonight as I have been at work today. I made this card a couple of days ago but haven't had a chance to upload it. It is for the challenge over at Spoon Full of Sugar and the theme is Blooming Marvelous (flowers or a floral paper) and as you can see I have used both!



If you have time to leave a comment I would be most grateful.

WOJ & Sketch Saturday

Good Morning

Well after my little moan yesterday about not having enough time to make my Christmas cards I actually managed to make 2 yesterday.

The first one is for the Whiff of Joy Challenge and is a sketch. This is the first time I have participated in this challenge. I don't have any WOJ stamps but a couple of my blogging friends (Lynsey and Natalie) kindly sent me some images a few weeks ago. These images are just so lovely and I am definitely going to order some stamps (Lizzie with Muff & Melinda Christmas Angel).



For my second card I have combined 2 challenges. Over at thePenny Black Saturday Challenge the theme is "Monochromatic" and you can chose Black & White or you can go with different shades of one colour and I followed the sketch on Sketch Saturday. This is the first time I have combined 2 challenges.



Any comments would be most appreciated.

PS: Sorry about the photos not being very good - don't know what has happened to my photography skills today lol!

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #7

Hello

At the moment it just seems that there are not enough hours in the day and I am finding it difficult to find time to make any cards and I have still got lots of Christmas cards to make.

However, last night I managed to make a card for the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge. I can't believe it's challenge #7 already - where have the weeks gone! The theme this week is "Cute as a Button" and I have sewn a button onto the snowflake. I love this Edwin stamp - he's so cute!




I have just come across the most amazing blog candy. Check out Debbie's Blog for the details.

Also if anyone would like to take part in my PIF candy please see post below.

My PIF Candy and Lynsey's Candy

Good Morning

A couple of weeks ago I took part in Sarah's PIF Candy. The rules for PIF are that in return for PIF Candy you must arrange Candy for 3 bloggers and then they do the same - "Pass It Forward". So if you would like to take part in my PIF please leave a comment on this post.

Also my blogging friend Lynsey is celebrating 5000 blog hits and is offering us all the chance to win some gorgeous candy she bought for us when she was at the NEC on Saturday. Check out Lynsey's blog for the details.

Anyway better go and get the children ready for school. Will hopefully make a couple of challenge cards today so might be back later.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #6

Good Morning

We had a lovely afternoon at the beach on Sunday. Pinewoods join the beach so we had a walk through the woods as well. I took my camera with me and got some fab photos of the children. I am making a calendar for my mum so hopefully these will make some nice pages for the autumn months. We also had fish & chips and they were yummy!

I have only managed to make one card this week and it's for the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge and is a sketch. This is my daughter's christmas card.

A5 pearlescent card blank
B/P = DCWV Christmas wishes again! (I just love these papers)
Image = Jolly Nation Christmas Fairy die cut decoupage
Flowers = Prima with a heart brad from Wilkinsons
I have added glitter to the Cuttlebug embossed circle to make it sparkly!




As always any comments are most appreciated.

2 Awards and I have beeen Tagged!

Good Morning

I have been given 2 blog awards and been tagged.

AWARDS

The "I love your blog" award has kindly been given to me by Gina.

2) The "Kreativ Blogger" award has kindly been given to me by Lyndsey.




Thanks Gina and Lyndsey! xx

I have to pass these awards on but I can't seem to find any blogs that haven't received it already. When I am next blog hopping I will make a note of all the fantastic blogs I come across and pass the awards on then. Hope this is okay! x

TAGGED

I have been tagged twice by Lyndsey and Gina. I have to answer the following sets of 5 questions, Tag 5 people by leaving their names as well as links to their blog and let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

THINGS I LOVE
1. My OH and children
2. Craft shopping
3. Clothes Shopping
4. Christmas
5. Sunny holidays

THINGS I HATE
1. Work (have been doing the same job for 15 years and i'm a bit bored of it now!)
2. Paying bills
3. Food shopping
4. Not having enough time to craft
5. Ironing

MUSIC ON MY IPOD (I dont have an Ipod but these are my favourite songs at the moment)
1. With You - Chris Brown
2. Forever - Chris Brown
3. Hero - X-Factor
4. Spotlight - Jennifer Hudson
5. Better in Time - Leona Lewis

FAVE FOOD & DRINK
1. Roast lunch
2. Chicken kebab
3. Chicken tikka
4. White wine spritzer
5. Fresh orange juice

I am tagging the following people. Sorry if you have already been tagged. You have to link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog and pick 5 other people to tag.

Alex
Debs
Lynsey
Angel
Becky

Pollycraft Challenge #2

Good Morning

I wanted to make a card for the Pollycraft Challenge but didn't have any Pollycraft stamps or downloads (or so I thought!!) and then I remembered I bought some ages ago when Pollycraft sold downloads on Ebay. So I had a look and thought this cute Dudley Dinosaur would go well with an HOTP Almost Done Scrap Kit I have had for ages. I will add a "number" to the bottom left corner depending on who I send it to (probably one of my son's friends).





I have also added some photographs of my children before they went to a Halloween Party last Friday.

2 challenge cards today and Blog Candy at Bev's!

Hello!

My children went back to school today after the half-term holiday so I have managed to make 2 challenge cards.

The first card is for the Magnolia Vs Stampavie Challenge which was a sketch by Jay Jay. When I started making the card I didn't think I would like the end result but I must say it turned out better than I expected. Sentiment reads "Merry Christmas" and the green semi-circle is embossed with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots but doesn't show up very well in the photo.


BP, Ribbon & Green brad = DCWV Christmas Wishes
Image = Magnolia Edwins Snowman
Flowers = Prima with gems added


My second card is for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge. The theme this week is "Get Sparkly/Bonfire". As I really want to get on with my Christmas cards I decided to go with the Get Sparkly theme. I decided to ink the edges of my card and papers and I quite like this effect. For a change I made a 5 x 7 size card. The snowflakes are sparkly and I have added glitter to the hedgies scarves.





BP = DCWV (I think)
Image = Penny Black Duckie & Hedgies
Snowflakes/Gems from Stash


Any comments would be most appreciated.


I have just spotted some fab blog candy over at http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/ See Bev's blog for the details and while you are there check out Bev's crafty creations as they are fantastic!

New look blog and A Spoon Full of Sugar

Hi

It's half term this week so have only managed to make one card as I have had a really busy week with the children. I must say we have had a lovely week together.

Some of you may have noticed my blog has a "new look" courtesy (free) from The Cutest Blog on the Block. There is some really lovely backgrounds on this site.

Now on to my card for this week's A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge. It is the first time I have taken part in this challenge and the theme this week is Sparkle and Bling. I have added glitter to the snow for extra sparkle. The star sentiment is red mirror card with gold writing but doesn't show up in the photo.

Image = Penny Black

B/P = DCWV Christmas Wishes

Gems, gold snowflakes and star sentiment from stash

As always any comments would be most appreciated.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #4 and Vicky's Blog Candy

Hello!

Here is the card I made for the Secret Crafter challenge. The challenge this week was to follow a sketch. I had great fun making this card as it was a fantastic sketch to follow. Think I might make a few more Christmas cards using it. I love this Penny Black image - it is so cute!

Image = Penny Black
B/P = DCWV Christmas and Cuttlebug swiss dots
Flower = Pack bought from local craft shop
Brad = Papermania
Ribbon = Anitas
Gems = From stash

Any comments would be most appreciated.

Also Vicky http://angeldrummer.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-candy-yes-mine.html has some fantastic blog candy. Check out Vicky's blog for the details.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #3

Hello!


I have been at work today so haven't had a chance to upload my card for this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge until now. The theme was "Blue, white and a little bit of snowflake". Sorry about the photo not being very good!







B/P = Forever Friends
Image = Penny Black
Flowers = Prima
Everything else from stash


Any comments would be most appreciated.

Happy Autumn Blog Award

Hello!

I haven't really had much time for cardmaking this week but did manage to make a quick and simple card for the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge. I will upload it tomorrow.

I received this award yesterday from Sarah http://sparklecards.blogspot.com/ This is my first ever blog award so thanks Sarah! I'd like to pass it on to the following people.




Lynsey
http://lynseys-place.blogspot.com/
Kerry
http://aloadofoldpickle.blogspot.com/
Lyndsey
http://lyndseymariedesigns.blogspot.com/
Kathleen
http://kookaburracrafts.blogspot.com/