Lilackat

Totally Gorjuss 116 KISS - Keep it Simple!

2012-01-28T08:00:00.019Z

Good morning everyone. I feel very lucky to be here today after my computer problems this week!

I had my card made very early this week and posted on the Totally Gorjuss blog. Lucky as it turns out since I now have a fairly empty laptop.

Here's my card

I used :-
Image & sentiment :- LOTV.
DP :- Craft Creations.
Colouring :- Promarkers.
Card Candi and ribbon.

This week we're sponsored by the lovely girls at Lili of the Valley and I'm sure lots of you are like me. I can always find something I want from their online store. I can't resist their sweet images and useful sentiments and the cute squares are so handy when you need a quick card. This is a great image if you need a retirement card and is really easy to colour.

Challenges :-
Simon Says Stamp :- Anything goes.
Creative Inspirations :- Anything Goes.
Lili's Little Fairies :- Oh Boy - masculine card.

I hope you can find time to enter our challenge this week for a KISS card. I don't often do something as plain as this and I thought a male card would fit the theme perfectly.

Thanks for looking and I'll catch you later. After work I'm going to our first crop of 2012. I haven't seen some of the girls since December so it'll be good to catch up again.

Nightmare!!

2012-01-27T23:17:00.000Z

Nightmare right enough. No wonder people say technology is all right as long as it's working!!

On Wednesday evening I was minding my own business doing something crafty and I thought my laptop was minding its' own business too! I looked over and it had a black screen and the writing at the top said " no internal hard disc detected". What!!! And that was it nothing was happening with it. Thursday nothing happening. Sent texts to my son for advice. Still nothing. He came out at night and had a look and decided that I definitely needed a new hard disc. So I trotted off to PCW and came home with a pretty new hard disc. Put it in, fixed all the little screws and tried to boot up the laptop. Nothing. Fought with it till time to go to work. Tried again after tea with advice from son. Eventually got it working. What next? Can you guess? Of course you can! No internet. Didn't seem to want to acknowledge the existence of my wireless broadband. After a lot of muttering and threats about laptop wearing a nice new black overcoat I eventually got online.

So now I'm behind with commenting and DT work. Luckily I got my DT card posted on the DT blog before all this happened. So if I haven't been visiting any of my favourite blogs it's not that I didn't want to or was too busy it was technology or lack of it that prevented me.

Now I'm off to try to schedule a post for tomorrow. I'll have to try to find the software for my camera so I can download my photos again. I'll always need to find some anti-virus software.

See you tomorrow and hopefully I'll be in a better mood by then lol!

Simple Sympathy Card.

2012-01-24T20:42:00.001Z

Hi everyone, I don't know about where you are but it's pretty cold here. Frosty first thing which isn't so bad, could be worse lol! At least the dogs don't get into such a mess when it's frosty. But later on it started to rain. I can hardly see my car now for mud. It's covered! The road near here gets pretty muddy as they need to get silage bales out of a field to feed the cattle indoors. We used to have a farm so it doesn't bother us, though it would be nice to have a clean car for more than a few minutes.

I made a Sympathy card for one of the girls at work. Her father-in-law died suddenly on Sunday. He was rushed into hospital last Tuesday with a heart attack. After lots of tests they discovered a fair amount of damage to his heart. On Wednesday she said he really wanted to make his 91st birthday on Thursday. So he made it! He was quite a character and we'll all miss him.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Ribbon, black stickles.

Challenges :-

Die Cut Dreams :- Sympathy.
Charisma :- Clean and Simple. Hope it is CAS enough!
Papertake Weekly :- Happy Highlights - I used black stickles to highlight the flowers.

I'm off to do a bit of catching up now and finish off my Tesco home shopping.

Thanks for looking hope you like!

Lavender and Lace.

2012-01-23T00:07:00.002Z

Hi everyone, I'm a bit late with this but I won't have time before work tomorrow! When I saw the challenge at Lili's Little Fairies I knew it was perfect for me. Well they don't call me Lilackat for nothing, I love all shades of lavender, lilac, purple etc.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

DP :- Paper Adventures.

Glamour Dust, lace, ribbon, Sakura clear, glitter gel pen, nesties & gems.

Other challenges :-

Papertake Weekly :- Buttons, bows, bling and blooms.
Paperplay :- Ribbon every which way.
Secret Crafter :- Food and/or drink.
Pile it on :- Add lace.
Creative Inspirations :- Use favourite colour plus white.

That's me now, I didn't realise it was so late.

Thanks for looking and I'll catch up later after work.

Totally Gorjuss 115 Welcome.

2012-01-21T08:00:00.030Z

Good morning everyone. Is it as cold where you are as it is here? Some days it has been really frosty and cold but on the other hand lovely and sunny during the day. Even when it's not frosty it's still very cold but at least there's no snow here yet.

This week at Totally Gorjuss our theme is "Welcome." We have a new sponsor this week, Heather's Hobbie Haven. Welcome could be welcome to a new home or new baby. New baby was the first thing I thought of so here's my new baby card.

I used :-

Image & Sentiment :- LOTV.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

DP :- Crafty Creations.

Martha Stewart punch, Glamour Dust, ribbon and pearls.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Ready Teddy Go :- In the pink.

I'm going to pick up my new reading glasses this afternoon, at least I think I am. Hubby and I both got our eyes tested 2 weeks ago and he got a postcard in saying his glasses were ready so I hope that means mine are ready too. So I'll catch up later.

Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend.

Penny Black 184 Anything Goes.

2012-01-20T12:41:00.002Z

Hi everyone. Well talk about a wasted day yesterday. I spent the whole day tidying.....and still loads to do! But eventually I managed to get a start made on this card. I sneakily dumped my hoover for a wee while to get it finished!

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

DP :- MME.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

I'm entering the Penny Black :- Anything Goes.

I'll come back later and add some other challenges, I'd best go and find my hoover and then organise tea before I go to work.

Other challenges :-
Pile it on :- Fuzzy Animals.
ABC :- H for Happy Birthday.
Passion for Promarkers :- Humour.
Cute Card Thursday :- Music and Dance.

Favourite LOTV Stamp.

2012-01-18T17:19:00.002Z

Just a quick post to show you my card for this week's Lili of the Valley challenge. I had it made yesterday and I should have posted it then. But I didn't! So this is the first chance I've had.

What a difficult decision. How could anyone have a favourite LOTV stamp? So this is one of my favourites lol!

I'll be back later when I've made the tea!

I'm back!!

I used :-
Image :- LOTV.
Colouring :- Promarkers.
DP :- Bo Bunny.
Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.
Martha Stewart edge punch and snowflake punch.
Gems, ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'm also entering the following challenges :-
Stampin for the Weekend :- Out with the Old - I've had the stamp and the DP for ages.
Secret Crafter :- Anything Goes plus blue.
Sketch Saturday :- Sketch.
Fussy and Fancy :- Let it Snow.
ABC Christmas :- A is for anything Christmas.

My friend came over this afternoon and we achieved more or less nothing! We explored a Craftwork Cards goody bag I had bought. I did a bit of colouring, she finished a card that she had organised all the bits for beforehand. We had a nosey round blogland. And then we had a browse around various online stores as she was keen to find a butterfly die. I think her favourites were the Marianne dies. She doesn't have Internet so she wrote down some items she wanted and some phone numbers. Not sure what I'd do without Internet!!

Talking of shopping I found a card in my mailbox today to say that there were 2 packets for me at the sorting office. Guess it must have been my usual postie's day off as he'd have put them in the shed. He would probably not have been here till after I got home anyway. I know there's one postie who does the round the opposite way round so I guess it must have been her. I went online to ask for a re-delivery but it wouldn't be till Friday so I'll just go and pick them up tomorrow. Bit of a nuisance as I've got a notion to do some tidying up tomorrow. I keep putting it off but I'm sure I'd get on better if I got things tidied up. It'd be quicker & easier to find things for a start!

Thanks for looking and I'm off to check out the entries at Totally Gorjuss. If you fancy joining us our challenge this week is "Be a Star," we'd like to see a star somewhere on your card. How easy is that?

Less is More 50 - Birds.

2012-01-17T23:48:00.000Z

I made some quick cards for the Less is More challenge. I'm not really into birds so I don't have many bird stamps but I found this little cutie and thought I could make some little notelets. One of my customers makes cards for CLAN a cancer charity for Aberdeen and the North East and I said recently that I'd make some cards too. I made six. Each one is stamped in a different colour of Memento ink. The image and sentiment are both Hero Arts.

I think this might be the plainest cards I've ever made but I think (hope) they work ok for a notelet or thank you card.

I made a Christmas card this evening too but it's too late to take a photo now so I'll do that tomorrow.

Thanks for looking and I'll catch you all later.

Totally Gorjuss 114 "Be a Star."

2012-01-14T08:00:00.020Z

Good morning everyone, hope you are all well and looking forward to the weekend. I can't believe we're half-way through January already. I've had quite a busy week one way and another and after work this afternoon I'll need to get on and get some more cards made for the communion tokens. The lady in charge of them took orders last week so I'd best try and keep up. We need to get some more cards and inserts printed but I have enough bits and pieces to make another 8. I can always try to get a supply of the little holders for the tokens made. They're tricky little devils as I need 2 little windows and I like them to be even. Not so simple when I'm so good at getting things squint lol! Needless to say the orders are all for the 4 token cards. When Jean showed them to the Minister he was delighted with them and how well made they were. He's a perfectionist but then so am I! Needless to say he didn't say anything to me.

So here's my DT card for this week's challenge at Totally Gorjuss.

I used :-
Image :- LOTV.
DP :- Craft Creations.
Seam Binding :- Ribbon Girl.
Lace, star brad, pearls and lots of Glamour Dust.
The DP has stars on it and I added glitter to them with a Sakura clear, glitter gel pen.

Not sure if there are any challenges for this card but I'll have a look later.

I found some :-
Dream Valley :- Anything Goes.
Papertake Weekly :- Die cut and cute.
Wild Orchid :- Anything Goes.

Thanks for looking and I hope you can join us. We are sponsored this week by Crafters Companion who have lots of goodies for you to choose from.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll catch up later.

Penny Black 183 Case It.

2012-01-13T19:32:00.003Z

Hi everyone, I'm late again entering the challenge at Penny Black which is "Case It" this week. I've followed, but not exactly, the layout of Beth's card, the colours and the stars.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

DP :- MME.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

I'm a bit late this week but I think I've been later! Now I need to make my DT card for tomorrow. I've no idea what happened to my time yesterday lol!

I found some challenges :-
Crafty Cardmakers :- No floral embellishments.
Cute Card Thursday :- You're having a laugh - well it makes me laugh.
Paperplay :- In stitches.
Passion for Promarkers :- Inspired by a song - This says "Born to be Wild" to me!
Simon Says Stamp :- Spots and/or stripes.
Totally Papercrafts :- Spots and Stripes.
Winter Wonderland :- Birthday Wishes.

Thanks for looking, see you all tomorrow.

Thanks Everyone.

2012-01-12T20:44:00.000Z

Thanks everyone who left suggestions about where I could find some golf images. I've had a look at them all and taken a note of the ones I like best. I liked the male ones and if my colleague likes the one I've made for her Mum she might want one for her Dad who is never off the golf course.

The day after I wrote the post asking where I could find golf images I suddenly realised when I was brushing my teeth that I had a Popcorn Bear golfer image. I think I used it to make a birthday card for my uncle's 90th birthday in 2010. I had a bit of a panic when I couldn't find it. Thought maybe I'd given it away but it was in a drawer I don't often open lol!

So here's the card I made with it. It's not very exciting so I hope she likes it! I hope she doesn't mind the bow as this card will obviously need a large stamp. The 2 I sold on Monday will both need a large stamp. The male one only had a small knot in the ribbon but that's all it needs to stop the envelope going through the letter slot. I'll need to think after this if anyone asks for a card. Belinda probably won't mind as it's a card for her Mum.

I used :-

Image :- Popcorn.

DP :- Craft Creations.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.

Talking of the difference between letters and large letters I had a bit of a run in with a customer the other day. This particular customer is an obnoxious, arrogant, know-all, little man. He asked if his envelope had enough postage so I reached for the plastic template we are supposed to use for all letters and large letters. It stuck so I told him he needed a large stamp. he accused me of not putting the letter through straight. So I did it again and told him it definitely needed more postage. So he shouted again that I hadn't put it in straight. I said again that I had but picked up the template again and showed him that the letter didn't go through. He insisted that it would so I said it was up to him if he wanted to risk it. Then he insisted I hadn't told him how much more it was. By this time the steam was coming out my ears but I managed to remain polite as I said it was another 29p and stuck the stamps on before giving him his change. If I hadn't done that he would probably have accused me of not sticking on the extra postage and keeping the 29p. As if!! He really is a horrible wee man. The kind that really makes your job worthwhile. To give you an idea of what he's like he came in the "out" door and said to the girl at the till "I thought you were dead!" She was horrified and furious at the same time but didn't bother answering. Not sure why he thought it was clever to say something like that to someone who was minding her own business and getting on with her work. If he'd said that to me he'd have got an answer. And I'm definitely not in the habit of being rude to customers, but there's always a first time!

Enough waffle now I'd best go and catch up with some DT work and see if I can get a card made for Saturday.

Thanks for looking and catch up with you all soon I hope. I didn't get a chance to get near the computer yesterday. Last night was my WRI meeting so after work I had to get my bakes ready for the teas. We had a lady showing us the Faberge style eggs she makes. They were absolutely fabulous. They ranged in size from very tiny (quail I think) to enormous Ostrich eggs. Most of them were very intricately decorated and must have taken many hours of work. We were all very impressed by her skill. I reckon I'm much too clumsy to work with eggs. I got home quite late as she could certainly talk!

Can anyone help please!

2012-01-09T22:08:00.000Z

I'm looking for a golfing image. Lady golfer preferably but probably best if I could find a man too. One of my colleagues would like me to make a golf themed birthday card for her Mum. Her Dad used to work in the Post Office with me and I have a feeling she might want a card for him along the same lines as he is always on the golf course. Off the top of my head I can't think of a golfer image anywhere. I can see all sorts of other sports but not golf!! Any ideas would be gratefully received. The nearest I've found is a golf bag from Little Claire.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Hearts and Flowers.

2012-01-08T08:00:00.001Z

Hi everyone, me again! Not like me to post as often as this, I think I'll probably slow down soon! It's my turn for the teas at the WRI on Wednesday so I'll need to bake this afternoon. I have some Christmas cake so that'll do for one thing. I always make carrot cake and meringues and Baileys Rocky Road so that's another 3. I'm going to make shortbread and mince pies so that should be enough choice. My friend doesn't bake so we've been put together and she'll do sandwiches. We always do the teas in pairs and quite often you do half baking and half sandwiches each but it does depend on what you both agree. Our meeting in January last year was cancelled because of the weather but looks like we'll be ok this year.

Last night I decided to try to make another card and this is what I came up with.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

DP :- Marianne design.

Colouring :- Promarkers

Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Ribbon, flowers, gems and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Totally Papercrafts :- Sketch.
Penny Black & More at Allsorts :- Love and Hearts.
Gem of a challenge :- Photo Inspiration.

Hmm this could be a Valentine card for hubby. Not like me to be so organised. The next think I know I'll be making his birthday card. His birthday is in February and so is my son-in-laws. One on the 24th and one on the 25th.

Thanks for looking and I'll catch you all later when I've got my baking done.

Totally Gorjuss 113 Sketch.

2012-01-07T08:00:00.002Z

Hi everyone, I really thought I wasn't going to get this post done. I was just quietly visiting some of my favourite blogs last night when suddenly when trying to leave a comment I was asked to sign in. Then I couldn't and was told my account was disabled. And then even worse horror I was told my blog had been deleted. Pure panic! I could get a verification code sent to my mobile but of course then my mobile started to act up and it took ages to get it on again. No wonder I'm getting a new one!! Well the verification code seemed to work and I got my blog back but of course then my broadband connection started being iffy. Still all's well now.....I hope, but it was very scary while it lasted.

This week at Totally Gorjuss we have a sketch for you to follow. And of course since it's the first Saturday in the month we're sponsored by the lovely and generous Joanna Sheenwho is offering a £10 voucher to spend in her well stocked online shop.

And here's my take on it.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

DP :- Crafty Creations.

Ribbon, sticky backed pearls and Glamour Dust.

I've got a few pink baby cards so I thought it would be handy to have a blue one in reserve.

I'd like to enter the following challenges :-

Pollycraft :- Punch it Out.
Lili of the Valley :- New Beginnings.
Simon Says Stamp :- New something.
Cute Card Thursday :- What's New?
Pile it On :- Anything Goes.

So fingers crossed this appears on Saturday morning. I schedule this post every week and it has always turned out ok so hope this week it happens as usual. I'm sure you can understand why I'm a bit nervous after the case of the disappearing blog.

Thanks for looking and I'll try to do some catching up in the afternoon after work.

Some Birthday Cards.

2012-01-06T08:00:00.058Z

I was asked by one of my customers at the post office to make a male and a female 60th birthday card for January. I haven't put 60 on any of the cards but I will if she wants me to! I've made 2 of each so that she can have a choice so I hope she likes at least one or two of them.

This is the first male card. I should have asked if the recipient had any hobbies or interests but of course I didn't. I'm hoping that most men like cars!

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

Card Candi and sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.

DP :-MME.

Button and Bakers Twine.

Or perhaps home decorating or DIY lol1

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

DP :-WRMK.

Ribbon.

And of course we girls like flowers. I thought this would be quick to do but by the time I decided what flower to use, what DP to stamp it on, cut it out, what to use for a stalk. And of course make the background papers. Maybe it looked better in my head lol! And I'm a bit annoyed with how different the colour of the ribbon is because in real life it's almost the same colour as the pink backing card and the flower.

I used :-

Image :- Hero Arts.

DP :- Cuttlebug embossing folder and HA background stamp.

Ribbon, button and twine. The stalk is a piece of ribbon.

The other female card my customer could choose is the DT card I showed on Saturday.

Next time someone asks for a card I'll ask a few questions about what they or the recipient like!

Thanks for looking and I'll try and do some visiting this evening after work.

Blue for a Boy.

2012-01-05T08:00:00.009Z

Isn't it nice to make a card that's not a Christmas card? Don't get me wrong I enjoyed making my Christmas cards and this year I had them made and ready to go before the last posting date for 2nd class!

I made a card for a workmate who had become a granny for the first time as I had lots of pink cards but only a couple of blue ones. I was going to give one to the proud new parents but I decided to make a tag too so I made this set.

I used :-

Image :- House Mouse.

DP :- Craft Creations.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Glamour Dust, flower and ribbon.

I'm going to enter the following challenges :-

House Mouse :- New....

Allsorts :- New Beginnings.

By the Cute and Girly :- New Beginnings.

Papertake Weekly :- Anything Goes + New.

Sir Stampalot :- Monochromatic. Hope it's monochromatic enough!
Sketch and Stash :- Sketch.

Can't believe I've managed to post every day so far. Probably won't be able to keep it up now that I'm back to work. I'm going to get my eyes tested today so that'll be most of my day off used up but I've got some cards lined up to show you tomorrow.

Thanks for looking and if you want to tell me what you think I'd love to hear from you.

Penny Black 182 Make a Tag.

2012-01-04T08:00:00.027Z

I made a very simple tag on Monday and a matching card for one of the girls at work's first grandchild. So while I was in the mood for crafting (and had the time) I made another one so that I could enter the Penny Black challenge and also have a tag to use the next time I need a baby girl present. I'll show you the blue set tomorrow but meanwhile here's the pink tag.

I love this image, I think it works really well for a baby card. That hedgie is so sweet with his/her little teddy. The photo hasn't turned out very well, it's just simply coloured with Promarkers with some glitter added to the flowers and butterfly with a Sakura clear glitter gel pen. I also added Glamour Dust around the nestie circle.

So there you have it. not a lot to it. On Monday and Tuesday I managed to make two tags and 3 cards so for me that was quite a lot! I've also managed to read the papers and that is an achievement, I usually only have time to read them when I'm at work! I have to admit to also browsing the internet and catching up with what my favourite bloggers are doing and what the latest challenges are.

I'm hoping to get at least one other card made today as well as my DT card. I was asked to make one male and one female birthday card and so far I have made one female and two male. I just want my customer to have a choice!

Unfortunately I have to go to work this morning so I'll catch up with you all later. Thanks for looking.

The Other Six Cards from 2011.

2012-01-03T08:00:00.001Z

Here are my favourite cards from July to December 2011. I managed to have a play yesterday so I'll have some new work to show you tomorrow and later in the week.

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Well that's my favourite cards from last year. Probably if I went through them again I'd come up with a different twelve. The most difficult was trying to choose my favourite ones among the Christmas cards. Funnily enough I think I could have chosen the whole 12 from among the Christmas cards. But am I alone in looking at some of my cards and wondering how I thought they were a good idea lol!

Thanks for looking and I'll see you tomorrow with something new.

Six Favourite Cards from 2011.

2012-01-02T11:45:00.000Z

Hi everyone, hope you've all recovered from your New Year celebrations!

I still have 2 days holiday as in Scotland we have 2 bank holidays. Lots of people are back to work in spite of this but luckily for me the Post Office has two days same as last week.

So here are my favourite cards from January to June 2011.

JANUARY.

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

Last year I said I would choose my favourite card every month. Needless to say it didn't happen! Maybe this year. It's quite time consuming going through a whole year at once. Especially if you find yourself having to choose between 2 or 3 cards every month. So you put off choosing till you've checked the whole year and then have to choose between your choices. Does that make sense?

Since this is probably a bit boring for anyone who looks I decided to just do 6 today and 6 tomorrow.

Thanks for looking and see you tomorrow for July to December.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:21:00.000Z

Happy New Year everybody! Hope 2012 is a great year for you whatever your plans are.

Totally Gorjuss - 112 - Happy.....!

2011-12-31T08:00:00.024Z

Hi everyone it's nice to be back with our latest challenge from Totally Gorjuss after a week off. Thanks to everyone who took time to join us for our last challenge. Remember to pop over to the challenge blog to see who won the prize from Simon Says Stamp.

This week our challenge is Happy..... Birthday, New Year, special day, just whatever you want to make it. I've made a birthday card as I don't send New Year cards.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Flowers :- Prima.

Ribbon & lace :- Ribbon Girl.

DP :- First Edition - Bird Song which I got in the secret santa at my crop.

Jewels, Glamour Dust and Sakura clear glitter gel pen.

This is the first card I've made since before Christmas. On the other hand I've been managing to read my daily papers lol. I also had a quick look at the sales in Aberdeen yesterday. And we managed to find time to take the dogs to the vet for their yearly check up and boosters. Wow was that an expensive visit!!

I'm going to enter the following challenges :-

Creative Inspirations :- Anything Goes.
Simon Says Stamp :- Anything Goes.
Charisma :- Anything Goes.
Fussy and Fancy :- Monochromatic plus sparkle. Oops too late to enter.

Well I have to work this morning so I'll catch up with you all after that. I'm looking forward to a few days off after today. Quieter this week as the furthest we'll be going is our favourite Indian restaurant on New Years day for a meal. Our younger daughter is intending to join us but our son says he is supposed to be going to London. Seems like a long way to go for a short time. Poor Iain, last week he came out to us for his Christmas dinner and then had to drive to Crieff to his sister's on Boxing Day and then home again as he had to work on the 27th.

Hope you all have a lovely New Year however you celebrate it and if I don't see you today I'll see you next year.

My Favourite Christmas Card.

2011-12-24T08:00:00.001Z

Not, I hasten to add one that I made! No, this is Poppy's creation.

She drew this picture at Nursery and then it was made into Christmas cards. I'll need to find out on Monday what it's all about. Not sure if that's Poppy in the picture with a tree and a present. I think that may be an attempt at her name at the top right.

Today I have been busy with housework but yesterday I iced my cake and decorated it today. It doesn't look very pretty but I'm hoping it tastes ok.

So that's all the food made except a pudding. Mhairi wants Tiramisu so I bought gluten free madeira cake to make it as she's wheat intolerant. I also have the old standby meringues. I made meringue nests and meringues to take to Catriona's on Boxing Day. I've also got lots of mince pies, shortbread, gluten free shortbread and 2 kinds of tablet. I've had a lovely time baking and now I really want to buy a new Kenwood. Mine died some time ago and I thought I didn't need a new one. I was wrong!

Work was reasonably quiet yesterday except for people wanting to take out money. It was nice to have time to read the papers again. I'm hoping that today will be similar. The last few weeks have been pretty busy so it'll be nice to get back to normal. I'm sure the posties are pretty tired to and looking forward to a couple of days off.

On Thursday I got a few last minute bits and pieces. Sweeties, nuts etc. Then Max found my stuff and stole a net of chocolate money and ate the lot. He managed to spit out all the foils though. What a dog! I did try to tell him that chocolate is really bad for dogs but he just wagged his tail at me.

I'm a bit narked at Marks & Spencer just now. The other day I decided to order pjs for Poppy & Oliver's stocking present. Having had bother before with ordering items that are claimed to be in stock and then they send out the order with something missing and tell you oh by the way one item is out of stock. That would be bad enough but the twice it happened to me before the order was for wedding presents. Since I've had problems before I deliberately ordered 2 pairs of pjs which both said more than 10 available. Two days later I got an email saying my order was on it's way. But one pair of pjs was not mentioned and no reason given. I checked and they were in stock. Puzzling! So I emailed to complain. At least a day later they emailed claiming that they had been out of stock when the order was made up. But they would refund the postage so that I could re-order. Well thanks for the refund but I wasn't going to order again, apart from the fact that it was too late for Christmas by then. So Mhairi went into Markies after work tonight and phoned me to check that she was buying the right thing. About a couple of years ago, the first time this happened I asked Markies why this happened. I can't see why they don't reduce the number of items in stock every time somebody orders one. It would save you thinking you were buying something and then not getting it!

Sorry about the rant but it makes me really mad. Does it just happen to me or has it happened to any of you?

Have a lovely Christmas everyone. We're having a week off at Totally Gorjuss. I might or might not have time to post but I'll be popping around the blogs to see what everyone's up to.

Retirement Card.

2011-12-23T08:00:00.044Z

Yesterday was my day off and I feel as if it was a bit of a wasted day! I had one or two things I wanted to get so after I had finished my weekly balance and left my colleague to her work I decided to go to Peterhead, my nearest bigger town. I went to a couple of shops and then Asda to get some stocking fillers, sweets nuts etc. Then off to the garden centre to get the sweets that Mhairi particularly wanted in her stocking. By the time I got there it was past time for coffee so I had coffee anyway and a lovely cherry scone. By the time I finished shopping it was almost lunchtime so I went home for a sandwich! Then it was time to make meringues and try to make meringue nests for when we go to Catriona's on Monday. I also got my cake iced so I just need to decorate the top and find some pretty ribbon to put round it.

I made a retirement card for a friend's husband who retires today. Fred is/was senior chaplain at Grampian NHS Trust Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He's a lovely friendly caring man and I think he'll be much missed at ARI. I first met his wife, Mary, when she started a cardmaking group a few years ago.

I'm sure Fred's not going to be as lazy as the little chap relaxing on the deckchair here but I'm sure he'll be happy to give up the daily commute. Hope he likes his card!

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

DP :- MME.

I think this might fit the following challenges :-

Creative Inspirations :- Anything Goes.
Charisma :- Anything Goes.

Well I need to do some housework before I go to work this afternoon. Just this afternoon and tomorrow morning and then I'm off till Wednesday. I'm looking forward to seeing Oliver and Poppy opening some presents on Boxing Day and spending time with them. I must show you the card Poppy made but that'll probably have to wait till tomorrow.

Thanks for looking and I'll catch up with you all later.

Sweet Baby Boy.

2011-12-22T08:00:00.001Z

Good morning everyone. Hope the weather conditions are better here today. Tuesday wasn't that cold but the rain on Monday had made everything so slippy that I could hardly walk the dogs. Thats the disadvantage of living in the country, the snow turns icy where cars have been and then it can take ages to get rid of the ice!

Here's the card I made for one of the girls at work who is delighted to be a granny to a gorgeous baby boy.It was nice to make something that wasn't a Christmas card. I feel as if I've been making Christmas cards for ever. Actually I checked back and I made the first one in January!

I love this image from Pink Gem, that baby is so cute!

This is my day off and I might nip to the garden centre to get some of those liqueur chocolates with cherries that Mhairi wants in her stocking. Apart from that I think I've got everything I need and if not.......tough!!

Catch you all later.

The Rest of my Family Cards.

2011-12-21T08:00:00.001Z

These are definitely the last of this year's Christmas cards!

This is the one I made for Catriona and Kerr.

This is Oliver's card.

Poppy's Card. I thought she'd like it since she was Mary in her Sunday School Nativity play.

Mhairi's card.

And last but not least Iain's card.

You can probably see that there's a bit of a colour theme with this years family cards.

I'll come back tomorrow with a baby card I made for one of the girls at work. She and her husband have become very proud first time grandparents to a lovely baby boy. Mum and baby came home yesterday so Denise was hoping to visit for cuddles with her grandson this evening.

Thanks for looking and hope you're all managing to stay warm.

Not Quite the Last Christmas Cards!

2011-12-19T23:06:00.003Z

I meant to schedule these cards for this morning but of course I ran out of time on Sunday evening! Last week after I finished writing my Christmas cards I decided that I'd best make a few more "just in case!" So this is them.

I'm going to enter the last card with the PB snowman in the new challenge at Hot Shot Crafts :- Use Promarkers. I used Promarkers to colour the cute snowman. I'm also entering the challenge at Passion for Promarkers which is "Celebrations."

These cards were all nice and simple and quick to make but I quite like them.

Thanks for looking and tomorrow I'll show you the special family cards I made.

A Little Pile of Christmas Cards.

2011-12-18T08:00:00.001Z

I haven't been blogging much this last week or so but I have been busy recently making lots of Christmas cards so here are some of them.

As you can see there's been a bit of a red & white theme this year. With some blue of course and lilac. You might also have noticed that Penny Black and LOTV often feature in my cards too.

Hope you like and I'll be back tomorrow with the three cards I made quickly after I'd finished writing out my cards. I always like to have some spare just in case lol.

Thanks for looking.

Totally Gorjuss - 111- For Someone Special.

2011-12-17T08:00:00.036Z

Good morning everyone and it's time for the last challenge over at Totally Gorjuss before whe have a break over Christmas. This week our theme is "For someone special" so I'm sure at this time of year we all have to make a card for someone special. Of course it doesn't have to be a Christmas card it could be a birthday card or a congratulations card for a partner or child or whoever.

I've made a Christmas card for my husband, hope you like it, he does!

I used :-

Images :- Hero Arts & Sizzix stamps and dies.

DP :- First Edition.

Sentiment :- LOTV.

Snowflake & snowflake border :- Martha Stewart punches.

Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

When I get round to posting the rest of my family cards you might notice that there's a bit of a colour theme this year. I feel quite relaxed about Christmas this year card-wise. I posted most of them on Monday. Handed out the rest at the Guild meal on Monday, the WRI meal on Wednesday and at my work. I've still got one or two to hand out and 3 to post.

Work has been really busy this past wee while. Some days it's a bit like me or them with the parcels. Now it might just be me but why do people post great big cards, especially overseas, or huge parcels and then complain about the cost?!!! It does make me a bit narky, after all it's their choice not my fault! And don't get me started about people who come in at the last minute and then expect me to be impressed by how clever they are. And lastly what makes people think I want to stick on their stamps. ok rant over, soon no-one will want the post office and we'll get peace for a while.

Not sure if this card fits any challenges as I haven't had time to do much blogging this week.

Thanks for looking and I'll catch up later after work......I hope.

Lilac Christmas.

2011-12-12T23:44:00.002Z

Morning everyone, just a quick post with another Christmas card. You must be getting fed up with my Christmas cards by now. I was very busy yesterday (Sunday). In the afternoon I sorted out all my cards. What a pain it is deciding who gets what lol! Then I wrote them and sorted them into various piles. Cards to post. Cards for work and customers and friends I'd see at work. Cards to take with me to the Guild meal tonight (Monday) and the WRI on Wednesday. Nightmare.

As you can see this did not get posted on Monday morning. My broadband went off on Sunday evening and didn't come on again. I was at work all day on Monday and then out for a lovely meal and a really fun evening with the Guild. When we came out it was really windy and wet so I had to nip out and bring the car to the door for my elderly passengers. Internet was still dodgy but if this turns up on Tuesday morning it must have stayed on long enough to let me post it. I'll come back at night to add more details!

Thanks for looking and I hope I can catch up later.

I used :-
Trees :- Memory Box die
Sentiment :- Heritage stamps.
Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.
Jewels, ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-
Sir Stampalot :- Bingo - I chose punch, tag, ribbon.
Fussy and Fancy :- Christmas tree inspiration photo.

I did intend to enter the Papertake Weekly challenge but thanks to my broadband problems it didn't happen. Never mind I've probably got more important things to do at the moment lol!

Fuzzy and Warm House Mouse.

2011-12-11T08:00:00.001Z

I'm reasonably warm at the moment but only because I'm wearing a few layers and I'm looking forward to a plate (or 2) of lovely hot home-made potato soup. I made it last night so that it would taste even better re-heated today. I also made my first batch of mincemeat pies, which I love. I was actually trying to avoid sorting out my labels programme. Fingers crossed I have enough Christmas cards made now. So now I can get on with the special ones and finish the gift card holders.

Speaking of warm here is a nice cosy Christmas card.

I used :-

Image :- House Mouse.

Colouring :- Promarkers

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

DP :- HOTP.

Martha Stewart snowflake punch, pearls and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

House Mouse :- Fuzzy and Warm.
Everybody Art :- Sketch.

I love this image, they look so cute and cosy!

Thanks for looking and enjoy what's left of the weekend.

Totally Gorjuss - 110 - Let it Snow!

2011-12-10T08:00:00.003Z

Good morning everyone and welcome to the weekend. That challenge title is uncannily accurate. I wasn't happy when the snow started a little on Friday afternoon but there was even more at night. Can't say I'm a happy bunny! I was hoping it would stay away as I've got a Christmas meal with the Guild on Monday night and then with the WRI on Wednesday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as the WRI meal was cancelled last year.

So here's my card for the Totally Gorjuss where the theme this week is "Let it Snow" and we are sponsored by the lovely people at Crafter's Companion so I hope you can join us.

I used :-

Image :- :PTV Cute square.

Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Star :- Memory Box.

Glamour Dust and jewels.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

ABC Christmas :- Y is for yippee - Christmas is almost here.
Creative Card Crew :- Tis the Season.
Cute Card Thursday :- Anything Goes.

I'll try to catch up with everyone later after work. I'm almost finished my Christmas cards now. I've made 92 but I'd still like to make some more just to be on the safe side. Then of course there's my family cards and the gift cards. I really want to get organised so I can hand out cards on Monday & Wednesday if I get to my nights out. I keep trying to tell myself I'm getting on better than last year but I'm not sure that's true lol!

Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing. Thanks for looking.

It's a Greeen Tree!

2011-12-09T12:25:00.000Z

Well there's a surprise! Right enough after the windy weather we've been having, and still have, it's a wonder there are many trees left standing. But this is a green tree on a Christmas card.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- 4 shades of Memento ink.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Green Jewels.

This is another image I've used a few times this year in different ways. It's a great stamp but I'm not sure I've done it justice whatever way I've used it!

I'm entering the following challenge with this card :-

Less is More :- Green.

I'm off to finish my hoovering now and have some lunch before I go off to work at the hell that is the post office at this time of year. On Monday someone posted 2 non-Christmas parcels. One of them was the spoiler from a Subaru! Goodness knows what the other one was, it had strange sticky out bits and was about twice the weight of the spoiler. The customer thinks that over the course of this year she's posted most of a car!!!

Me Again!

2011-12-08T14:34:00.001Z

Well I did say I'd be back later! Hope the electricity stays on here. It's really windy here this afternoon and the tv keeps being a bit weird. At one time it said there was no signal. I'm just watching the news and the Forth and Tay bridges are both closed to all traffic and the police are advising people not to travel at all. It's certainly a lot worse now than it was earlier!!

But here's my latest Penny Black snowman card.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Seam binding :- Ribbon Girl.

Cuttlebug embossing folders, pearls & Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Penny Black :- Total White Out.
Bunny Zoe :- Anything Christmas plus pearls.
Paperplay :- Snowman.

Now I'd best go and make some more Christmas cards. I've got lots of things I want to do but I can't do them till I know I've got enough Christmas cards.

Don't They Look Cosy?

2011-12-08T08:00:00.001Z

This is the last of the cards I made at the crop on Saturday. Quite a simple quick card and since I realised after the crop that 80 cards was not enough I still need to make some nice quick cards.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Star :- Marianne Designs.

Ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Creative Inspirations :- Snow much fun.

Crafty Creations :- Card with sentiment.

Since it's my day off today I'm hoping to get on with even more Christmas cards. I think I'm better organised than last year but I want to update my label list before I start writing my cards. It's really annoying working in the Post Office and people keep coming in with piles of Christmas cards ready to post and I haven't even got enough made yet.

I'll be back later though cos I made 5 cards last night. Sounds impressive but I had the images either coloured or used LOTV cute squares. So all I had to do was glitter and do some cutting and tying etc and putting together.

Thanks for looking.

Please don't "Let it Snow"

2011-12-07T08:00:00.001Z

Apologies to everyone who likes snow but if you lived where I do you wouldn't want it to snow either. We haven't had much snow but it's been very cold and icy. I live in the country and even though we aren't far from the main Aberdeen to Peterhead road, which usually gets pretty well cleared, our road is narrow and winding and tends to drift badly.

I couldn't resist using another lovely Penny Black image for this card!

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Cuttlebug embossing folders.

Ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Totally Papercrafts :- Let it Snow.

Pile it On :- Bling it up.

The Pink Elephant :- Snowflakes and Sparkle.

I'm glad today's my half day at work. Things are getting quite busy in the Post Office now. I've been getting lots of airmails and parcels. So I'm tending to get little blue airmail stickers in front of my eyes. Quite a lot of UK parcels between ebay and Christmas. I think some people are posting quite early this year after the weather being so bad in December last year.

Thanks for looking and I hope it's not too cold as I'm getting my hair cut after work. Catch you all later.

Here he is again!

2011-12-06T09:00:00.001Z

It's that Penny Black snowman again! I can't resist him, he's so cute!

This is a lovely quick card and I think I need more like it. I've made 80 cards but I really need at least 91 plus the special ones. Not sure if my boss wants cards for her grandson from them and his great grandparents but I might just do a couple in case.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Snowflake border :- Memory Box.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenge :-

Allsorts :- Going round in circles.

I'm trying to do short posts just now so that I can visit my favourite blogs and do my DT work. So thanks for looking and I hope your weather is better than mine. It's pretty cold and icy here. Not as much snow as a lot of places but ice isn't nice when you're trying to walk to big mischievous dogs lol!

Christmas With no Red or Green.

2011-12-05T08:00:00.002Z

Good morning everyone and here we are at the start of another week. I'm almost there with my Christmas cards which is lucky as I've achieved nothing yesterday. The card I have today is one that I finished at the crop on Saturday.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sizzix and Cuttlebug embossing folders.

Glamour Dust and ribbon.

I'm entering the following challenges :-
Oldie But a Goodie :- Christmas Card, no red or green.
Simon Says Challenge :- Anything Goes.

I'll probably have another busy day at work so I'll try to do some visiting tonight. Have a good day everyone and fingers crossed for not too much snow!

Thanks for looking and for all your lovely comments.

Looks Cold Outside!

2011-12-04T08:00:00.001Z

Good morning everyone, hope you're all having a lovely weekend. I don't know about where you are but here in coastal Aberdeenshire it's very, very cold! Yesterday it was very cold and windy but I went to a crop after work so I was nice and cosy indoors. We had yummy shortbread, tablet and cakes that some of the girls had made. We finished off with a Chinese takeaway and then a Secret Santa. I got a pad of beautiful First Edition papers so I'm a very happy bunny.

I managed to finish 3 cards and added inserts to about 30 cards so now I have 80 cards completely finished. I just need to check how many I really need. I also need to think up some special cards for my family and finish the gift card holders I'm making. Not to mention that one of my nephews is 18 on Christmas Eve so I need a special card for him.

My favourites this year seem to be Penny Black images and LOTV images and cute squares. Here's one I made with a cute square.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.

Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Corner die :- Memory Box

Ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Ready Teddy Go :- Anything Goes.

ABC :- E is for embossing.

Colour Create :- Red, white and green.

Lucky me I have ironing to do today but then again I could leave it till this evening so that I can do something more interesting this afternoon!

Thanks for looking and I'll see you all later.

Totally Gorjuss 109 - Sketch.

2011-12-03T08:00:00.025Z

Good morning everyone, I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. I'm off to a crop this afternoon and I'm looking forward to getting something done with my Christmas cards. Even if I only add some inserts added I'll be happy. I've completely finished 50 cards and still have 27 to finish. But I'd still like to make some more just to be sure I've got enough! I also have 6 special ones to make for my family.

This week at Totally Gorjuss we have a sketch since it is the first Saturday in the month. As usual on the first Saturday we are sponsored by Joanna Sheen. You really must pop over to her shop to see all the fabby new products she has in stock.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

DP :- First Edition.

Ribbon, jewels and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Ribbon Girl :- Christmas.
By the Cute and Girly :- Let it Snow.
St Lukes Charity Cards Challenge :- Let it Snow.
Crafting When We Can :- Borrow a sketch from another challenge.

I'll catch up with you all later, I hope. I just seem to be so short of time just now. I haven't been very good at blogging lately but I think if I could get my cards finished and my label list updated I might feel a bit calmer. I've also got 8 gift card holders to make. I do have all the "bits" organised it's just a matter of finding time to put them all together lol.

Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend whatever you've got planned.

Anniversary Card.

2011-12-02T21:00:00.001Z

Here's the card I made for Catriona & Kerr's wedding anniversary. Can't believe it's 6 years tomorrow since they got married. 6 years and 2 gorgeous kiddies, hope they have many more anniversaries.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

DP :- various.

Sentiment :- Inkadinkado.

Card Candi, ribbon & Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-
Creative Inspirations :- Turquoise, purple and white.
Papertake Weekly :- Sketch.

I hoped to schedule this last night for this morning but it didn't happen! Now I need to go and schedule my DT post for tomorrow morning and see if I can get myself organised to go to a crop tomorrow after work. We're having a Secret Santa too and a meal so I need to get my present wrapped.

See you all sometime tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend.

Penny Black 179 - Red & Embossing.

2011-11-29T23:03:00.001Z

Hi everyone I've been missing blogging this week. I haven't been online since Friday night until this morning.

We went to visit our daughter and family on Saturday. I made about 34 fairy cakes for the party bags and Poppy's birthday cake. Catriona decorated them all. The cake was a cat's face, the nearest Poppy's going to get to having a cat lol! Catriona loves cats but her husband doesn't, so no cat for them. We also went to see the Christmas lights being switched on in Crieff and got completely soaked.

Poppy's birthday was not enjoyed by the birthday girl as much as it might have been as she had an upset tummy. We think she might have picked up a bug from her cousins! She was a bit better when we left on Monday morning but was having to miss nursery.

So between one thing and another I didn't get much done! I did spend about 2 hours making the Martha Stewart advent calendar for Poppy and Oliver. Excuse the dodgy photo as it was taken on top of the spare bed where the little house is hidden till the 1st. I don't think it's as squint as it looks.

Tonight is the first chance I've had to craft so I couldn't resist making a card using this lovely Penny Black image of my favourite snowman. Isn't he cute?

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sizzix and Cuttlebug embossing folders.

Glamour dust, ribbon & Sakura clear glitter gel pen.

I'd like to enter the following challenges :-

Penny Black :- Christmas, red and embossing.

Craft Your Days Away :- Buttons or Bows.

Charisma Cardz :- Snowflakes.

Creative Card Crew :-Monochromatic.

One Stitch at a Time :- Seeing Red.
Dream Valley :- Sparkle.

I think I'll go and finish off my Tesco order now. After the fiasco last week I've more or less done it and I've just got a couple of things to add. The one thing I am pleased about is getting my Christmas cake made this morning. I haven't made one for years but I seem to have volunteered to make one this year. I dug out my favourite recipe from my Rayburn cookbook. I don't have a Rayburn in this house but I always say if I win lots of money on the Lottery I'll buy a Rayburn or an Aga. I'll try to do some catching up tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have plenty of DT catching up to do and I'm hoping to get this weeks card made too.

Thanks for looking and sorry for being a bad blogger recently. I'm hoping that my internet connection is a lot better now. After being on the phone a couple of times last week about it it should be!

Totally Gorjuss - 108 - Sparkle.

2011-11-26T08:00:00.002Z

Good morning everyone and I hope you're all fine and looking forward to an enjoyable weekend. For once I've got a Saturday off and we're off to visit our daughter and family for the weekend. Poppy was 4 on Wednesday and she's having a party on Sunday afternoon. I've got 30 fairy cakes to make on Saturday and the words birthday cake were also mentioned! Catriona thought that fairy cakes would be better for the party bags than a slice of cake. Maybe less messy lol!

This week at Totally Gorjuss the theme is "Sparkle". I'm sure you all like some bling and with Christmas getting nearer sparkle would go well on a Christmas card. And that's exactly what I've made, another Christmas card. We're sponsored by Wee Stamps and Sylvia very kindly gave each of the DT one of her lovely images to use for this challenge. Thanks Sylvia, I love this cute bunny.

I used :-

Image :- Wee Stamps by Sylvia Zet.

Colouring :- Promarkers and Sakura clear glitter gel pen.

DP :- Bo Bunny.

Twine :- Ribbon Girl.

Sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.

Snowflake corner :- Memory Box.

Jewels.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

ABC :- D is for Dazzle.

Totally Papercrafts :- Christmas.

Pollycraft :- Christmas Fun.

I hope you can find time to join us this week. I loved your swirly, whirly cards last week and I'm looking forward to seeing your sparkle cards this week.

Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend whatever you've got planned. Catch you later.

Two Minute Card!

2011-11-25T20:47:00.001Z

Not quite accurate! It would be a two minute card but it took three shots before I managed to stamp the image clearly. I kept getting it with one or more of the stars at each corner missing!!

I used :-

Image :- Hero Arts stamped in Inky Blue Vivid Ink.

I also added some Sakura clear glitter gel pen to the 4 corner stars and the large star.

And that's it. I'm entering it in the Less is More :- Silhouettes. I've kept it completely plain since it's for LIM but I would usually add some gems or card candy in the corners.

Thanks for looking and I'll see you tomorrow with my card for Totally Gorjuss

Red and White Christmas.

2011-11-25T07:00:00.001Z

Good morning everyone. Well it's almost the weekend at last and we're going to visit my daughter and family. Poppy was 4 on Wednesday and she's having a party on Sunday. Lucky me I'm going too lol! On Saturday I'm supposed to be making fairy cakes for the party bags. Catriona also mentioned a birthday cake but I don't remember volunteering for that. Maybe she's making it herself.

As you know I've been having internet issues but after phoning the helpline on Wednesday and Thursday I'm hoping that the problem has been solved. I've been really fed up about not being able to visit my favourite blogs as much as I would have liked but I've been concentrating on doing my DT work. I know it's nice to get feedback when you enter a challenge.

Yesterday I made 3 cards when I was crafting with my friend. I thought one would do for my DT card but then I realised that it wouldn't as I'd forgotten who was sponsoring us this week. But one of the others will do in 2 weeks time. Not like me to be ahead lol!

So here's the first of the other 2 I made. Don't you just love these squares from LOTV? I'm quite into white on white with a touch of colour this year. And of course lots of glitter.

I'm entering the following challenges with this card :-

Lili of the Valley :- Anything Goes.
One Stitch at a Time :- Anything Goes.

The second one is another favourite theme this year - plain coloured card and white die cuts and of course the old favourite - gingham ribbon. I love those Marianne Designs die cut trees even if they are tricky little devils to stick down!

I'm entering the following challenges with this card :-

Everybody Art :- Christmas Card.
Papertake Weekly :- Christmas Cracker.

Hope you like.

I'm really looking forward to the weekend even if it means a couple of hours at a children's party lol!

Thanks for looking and I'll see you tomorrow with my DT card for Totally Gorjuss.

You Might Need Sunglasses!

2011-11-22T08:00:00.001Z

This is another one of my quick Christmas cards. Quicker than the last one anyway as I settled on the second colour of inkpad that I tried. It's a bit bright but I like it!

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black, stamped using a Vivid inkpad in Raspberry.

Card candi, ribbon and I found a piece of Core'dinations card in just the right shade.

I love this image. It stamps really well and looks great embossed in silver too.

I'm going to enter the following challenges :-

Ribbon Girl :- Pink & White.
Allsorts :- One Layer Card.

I should have had Poppy's birthday card but I took it to work to show the girls and posted it to her. I used a Penny Black image, "Heart to Heart" - a little Thelwell type pony talking to a bird perched on the handle of a pail, really cute. Poppy loves horses. Think Oliver does too!! There's a riding school just a few minutes walk from their house and they like to look at the horses. They're too young for lessons but they can have a shot for a couple of pounds.

Thanks for looking and also for any kind comments you might leave.

Penny Black - 178 - Christmas, Green and Trees.

2011-11-21T08:00:00.002Z

Just a quick post with a quick card!

For once I'm not at the last minute with my challenge card for the Penny Black challenge.

I used :-

Image and sentiment :- Penny Black.

Inked with Vivid inkpad in Olive.

Card candi :- Craftwork cards inked with Promarker.

Ribbon.

I said this was a quick card but this isn't the first version lol! I tried to stamp the tree on green card and emboss it in white....didn't work. Then I tried stamping in Memento on white card.....looked a bit insipid! So this is the 3rd version. After that I decided to try and do one for the Ribbon Girl challenge so I'll be back tomorrow with that one. Another quick card!

Thanks for looking and I'll catch up with you all later after work.

Simply Blue.

2011-11-20T08:00:00.001Z

Hi everyone I just thought I'd pop by with a very simple and quick card I made the other day. I just happened to see the lovely blue card and thought I'd use it with some baubles I'd cut out with a Marianne Designs die. I've got some baubles, trees and stars that I cut out when I was having a die-cutting session. I found the lovely Penny Black sentiment when I was looking for something to fit the space across from the baubles. I just added some simple white Card Candi from Craftwork Cards to finish it off.

I'm quite pleased with it for a quick card. Maybe I need to make some more quick cards. I think I have about 60 or so now. I finished a birthday card for Poppy yesterday and made a box to put it in to post if to her. Hope she likes it. I was so taken on with the fact that my internet was on all evening that I spent my time catching up with my favourite blogs and doing my DT commenting. Hope it lasts!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for looking.

Totally Gorjuss - 107 - Swirly Whirly.

2011-11-19T08:00:00.001Z

Good morning everyone. I'm trying not to say too much in the hope that I can get this post written before my broadband connection goes off again. It's already been off once since I started this. I'm getting pretty annoyed about this as it's been going on for quite a few weeks. My colleague at work has not had any internet all week but at least I've had a connection sometimes. A customer told me she has a rubbish connection too. Both of these people are with BT. I'm with the Post Office with everything so I'm glad I'm not paying anything to BT. I envy people in cities etc who have a nice fast service, I'd settle for just having any service. Fast would be nice but just on is acceptable!

So here's my card for Totally Gorjuss. This week our challenge is "Swirly Whirly" and we are sponsored by the lovely people at Simon Says Stamp so I hope you can join us. As you can see I've got embossed swirls as well as die cut swirls and I'm sure you can find something that meets our challenge.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Cuttlebug embossing folders.

Swirls :- Marianne Design dies.

Ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'd like to enter the following challenges with this card :-

The Pink Elephant :- Embossing.

Passion for Promarkers :- White on White.

I think I'll quit while I'm ahead now and hope that this appears at the appropriate time. I'm also hoping that I'll be able to catch up with my favourite blogs later on today and also get my DT work done.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for looking. If you can spare a minute to let me know what you think I'd love to hear from you. It's always nice to know that you're not talking to yourself lol!

Less is More 41 - Leaves.

2011-11-18T21:26:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I was hoping to do this before work this afternoon but ran out of time. Needless to say by the time I had tea my connection had vanished again. I almost forgot that I meant to post a card and enter the Less is More challenge.

I used :-

Image & sentiment :- Hero Arts stamped with Memento Inks.

I added some nailheads to brighten up the wreath.

I liked this simple card so I made another one using the same stamp and a different Hero Arts sentiment. This time I added some jewels a snowflake and a piece of card candi. I think this one might be too decorated for Less is More lol!

This has helped to raise the number of Christmas cards I've made and I have another very simple card to show you another time.

So much for having an internet connection as I've been trying to upload these pics and finish this post since 8.30 and it's now 9.20pm.

Now I'm off to enter the challenge before it's too late. I'm really annoyed that I had this card made last night and haven't had the chance to post it until it's almost too late.

Fingers crossed I can go and schedule my DT card for Totally Gorjuss while the connection lasts and hopefully catch up with some commenting.

Thanks for looking and catch up with you all tomorrow.

Penny Black 177 Gold and Presents.

2011-11-17T15:43:00.001Z

Hi everyone, it's my day off and a bit brighter than it has been recently. I'm hoping to get some serious crafting done. At least unless I start looking for a lost stamp! So far I've got another Christmas card made and a few more would be good as I'm beginning to think I've got a long way to go yet. I couldn't resist this cute Penny Black image!

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

DP :- gcd Studios.

Sentiment & Card candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers and Spica glitter gel pens.

Martha Stewart punch, ribbon & gems.

I'm entering the following challenges with this card :-

Penny Black :- Gold and presents.

Pile it on :- Traditional Christmas.

Hopefully I'll get this posted while my internet is still on. Seems to be having one of it's days today! But in the meantime I found a stamp I've been looking for so now I can try to make a card for the Less is More challenge. I had looked out another stamp that would have done but the one I found was the one I really wanted to use & it's been preying on my mind that I couldn't find it.

Thanks for looking and I hope you can find time to tell me what you think.

Fundraiser Cards!

2011-11-15T20:09:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I thought I'd just show you the cards I made to hold the communion tokens that we're hoping to sell at our church to raise some money to replace some windows.

A friend who has been making cards for many years printed the picture of the church and also the inserts. The card is what was left over from another lady's daughter's wedding invitations. The picture was originally drawn by another member who is very good at drawing.

As you can see this is the front of the card showing a side view of the church.

This is the inside of a card to hold one token. We felt that a lot of people might not be able to afford a complete set of tokens but might still want to have one.

The middle pages show some examples of the tokens that were found.

Another couple of examples of tokens. We seem to have them with four different dates.

This is the inside of a card with all four tokens.

I used nesties to cut out an aperture and borrowed a second one to cut out double apertures for the four token cards. I found it slightly tricky but that's probably because I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I was really keen for them to be right. Sounds daft but with my knack for getting things squint I was worried about them not being right and other people noticing. That was the fiddly bit but with a wee bit of planning and a magnetic sheet I think they turned out ok. The next fiddly bit was adding some acetate and sticky tape.

In a funny sort of way I enjoyed making these. I just hope people will want to buy them. They'll probably be put on the church website and maybe people with connections to the area will fancy buying them.

My internet connection seems to be holding up tonight again, if so that would be two nights in a row. I was a bit worried as when I went to work I saw 2 BT vans about three quarters of a mile away. The last time I saw a BT van near here was a few weeks ago and my internet connection has been a nightmare ever since so perhaps things are back to normal again.

Thanks for looking and now I'm off to do some DT work and catching up with my favourite blogs. And of course my old favourite finishing my Tesco home shopping!

Ready Teddy Go Easel Card.

2011-11-14T21:26:00.001Z

Hi everyone, here's a card I meant to schedule last night for this morning! Still better late than never. I got a bit tied up yesterday making cards to hold communion tokens which we're hoping to sell to raise funds for work that has had to be done in our chuch. Apparently lots of tokens were found about eleven years ago so it's taken a while to decide to do anything with them. I had made a few cards a while ago with the help of my friend but the inserts were wrong so had to be re-printed. The lady who was printing the cards and inserts, with the help of her husband doesn't keep well so I was asked to make the cards. Hope they're ok!!

But I digress as usual. I made an easel card on Saturday but never go round to blogging it. I've had a lot of internet problems for a few weeks now and this evening is the best it's been for ages. Usually as soon as I try to do anything I discover it's gone off! It's making me pretty annoyed because I can hardly get my DT work done or visit my favourite blogs.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV die cut with added Glamour Dust for some bling.

DP :- Papermania - Cranberry & Apple

Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Snowflakes :- Martha Stewart punches.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Ready Teddy Go :- Take it Easel.
Truly Scrumptious :- Bingo, I used glitter, punches and die cuts, and ribbon.

Thanks for looking and I'll be back tomorrow to show you the communion token cards I made yesterday.

By the way have you seen the gorgeous giveaway over at the Ribbon Girl? Click on the pic on my sidebar for more details. You don't want to miss this one!

Distress Ink Christmas.

2011-11-13T08:00:00.001Z

Hi everyone. I hope you're all well this Remembrance Sunday. A few years ago when my children were in Boys' Brigade, Guides and Brownies I used to always hope the weather was dry and not too cold. In those days they paraded in uniform but not usually jackets and if it rained it was miserable. When I was in Brownies and Guides you certainly didn't wear a jacket or coat and a Brownie dress or Guide blouse was not very warm! Thinks are different nowadays, the uniforms are warmer and they wear jackets. Somehow they don't look very smart nowadays. My son is 35 and I wouldn't have dreamt of sending him out in trainers but now......

Anyway I digress. I got some new Tim Holtz Christmas stamps and a matching embossing folder recently. I was also lucky enough to get the limited edition winter Distress Inks from Craft Obsessions so I thought I'd try to do something with them all.

I used :-

Stamp :- Stampers Anonymous

Embossing Folder :- Tim Holtz texture fades.

Limited Edition Winter Distress Inks.

Picket Fence Distress Stickles.

Ribbon.

I'm sure you can see that the stamping and embossing don't exactly match but I quite like the effect. I also like the effect of the Distress Stickles round the edge and on the embossed snowflakes.

I'm not sure if this fits the challenge over at Cards For Men :- It's Nearly Christmas. If not they can just delete it!

Thanks for looking and enjoy what's left of the weekend.

Totally Gorjuss 106 - Christmas Traditions.

2011-11-12T08:00:00.004Z

Hi everyone. Is it just me or does Saturday come round quicker at this time of year? Seems no time since last Saturday. Hope next week is quieter than the last two. This week I've been out 3 nights. Four of us went to a quiz night at another WRI on Tuesday. We found it quite difficult and thought we'd done really badly but when we heard the scores for the top 3 teams we felt a bit better. Turns out when we saw the score sheet we were 4th so that made us feel a bit better. Then on Wednesday we had a successful quiz at our own WRI. Friday saw me at the church hall to see the photos the minister took when he and his wife walked the West Highland Way. Think I'm only out once this coming week lol!

On to the challenge over at Totally Gorjuss this week. It's getting close to "that" time of year again so to help you to get on with your Christmas cards, or maybe even get a start made, our theme this week is "Christmas Traditions." We're sponsored this week by the generous people at Crafters Companion and we'd love it if you could join us.

I used :-
Image :- Penny Black.
Sentiment and card candi :- Craftwork Cards.
DP :- MME.
Colouring :- Promarkers.
Martha Stewart punches, Glamour Dust and jewels.

Hope you like my card, my "Christmas Tradition" is posting Christmas cards to friends and family. I'm sure you can think of more traditions and if you pop over to Totally Gorjuss my teamies have made lovely cards to inspire you.

I think this card fits the challenge at Papertake Weekly :- First Christmas.

I'll catch up with you all later and enjoy your weekend whatever you've got planned.

Penny Black 176 - Christmas & Snowflakes/Snow & Silver.

2011-11-11T08:00:00.002Z

Hi everyone, I'm still having to apologise for being a really bad blogger. My internet connection is still a complete nightmare. It has been on and off a lot yesterday evening. Every time I try to upload a photo it seems to be at it's worst. It's driving me nuts. A slow connection makes it really difficult for me to get around and visit people and do my DT commenting.

I couldn't resist making a card to enter this week's Penny Black challenge. I ended up making two very simple cards. I've managed to get Christmas, snowflakes and silver on to my card.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Larger snowflake :- Martha Stewart.

Small snowflake punch, embossing powder, ribbon nad gems.

After a day of not getting much done yesterday I was quite pleased to get these cards made. I have another one partly made. My excuse is I got a bit sidetracked. I went to make a cup of coffee yesterday morning and found myself making a mincemeat cake. Yum, I love mincemeat. Then when I had my lunch I made a pineapple and cherry loaf, and after tea I made fairy cakes using gluten free flour. I thought it would be handy to have them in the freezer for when my daughter comes to visit. So I haven't been completely idle but it would have been better if I'd made some more Christmas cards.

I think this card also fits the following challenges :-

Cupcake :- Textalicious.

Thanks for looking and fingers crossed my internet works so I can do some catching up.

Oliver's Birthday Card.

2011-11-07T23:32:00.001Z

Hi there, I'm still having problems with internet access so I'll make this short so that I can try to do some catching up!

This is the card I made for Oliver. Can't believe he'll be 2 on Wednesday and then Poppy'll be 4 2 weeks later. The card is quite simple and easy to make but it looks quite impressive. My friend, who knows who she is, showed me how to make this style of card and I made this one as I thought it would be good for a boy card. I've left it very simple as it's for a boy and I don't think he'd be fussed about a lot of extra embellishments on it.

This is the front of it.

I wrote a message on this side.

It fastens together here with the red star brad.

Image :- LOTV.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sentiment :- Penny Black.

DP :- Bo Bunny.

Tag punch, star brads.

Hope he likes it, probably a bit young to care though!!

I decided to post the card and present today but nothing'sever that simple is it? When I went to work this morning my monitor had an orange flashing light and wouldn't switch on. After I'd been on the help(?)line for more than ten minutes they said an engineer would be out within 4 hours. Sure enough he was and quickly repaired the monitor but I didn't log on till 10 to 12. Not that I had an awful lot of customers but I felt really bad about some elderly people who had walked down specially to get their pension.

The Christmas stamps go on sale tomorrow (8th) if anyone wants to start stocking up. Some of my customers like to buy some every week till they have enough for their cards.

I've got another card to show that I made for Brenda to choose for Penny Black and More at Allsorts. I made 3 for her to choose from so this is the one that wasn't used. I think I'm up to about 50 Christmas cards now. Still a way to go though lol!

I'll try to get the other card posted tomorrow. I'm having yet another busy week. Tomorrow after work I'm going to a quiz night at another WRI. they have a quiz every two years and we always go. It's usually fun as long as it's not too difficult. Then on Wednesday it's our own quiz. As treasurer I buy the prizes, the raffles and the quizmaster's present and I've even done my baking. I think I just need to wrap up the prizes and qm's present and I'm organised! Then on Friday I'm going to see photos the minister and his wife took when they walked the West Highland Way to raise funds for new windows for our church. Not sure if I want to go out three nights out of five but I kinda feel I have to go out on Friday to see these pics.

Thanks for looking.

GDT Cards for Penny Black and More at Allsorts.

2011-11-06T08:00:00.069Z

Good morning everyone, I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. If you've been at the NEC I hope you haven't spent too much lol! I went to the SECC last Sunday and I didn't spend too much. Yeah right, I'm sure anyone who knows me will know that this is not entirely true!

Can you imagine how excited I was when Brenda emailed and asked if I'd like to be GDT in November for Penny Black and More at Allsorts. As you can imagine I didn't even hesitate but emailed back straight away and said yes please. I feel really honoured to be joining such a talented team as GDT and thank you so much for asking me Brenda.

I was so excited that I made three cards to give Brenda a choice lol! She chose 2 and the theme for the new look challenge is "All Creatures Great and Small."

I used :-
Image :- Penny Black.
DP :- MME.
Colouring :- Promarkers.
Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.
Martha Stewart punches, Glamour Dust, Gems.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Martha Stewart punches, Glamour Dust, Cuttlebug embossing folders.

I've found some challenges that these cards fit :-

Papertake Weekly :- Anything Goes plus bling.
Creative Inspirations :- Lashings of Sparkle.
Charisma :- Cutesy.
Gem of a Challenge :- Cold and Frosty.
St Lukes Charity Card Challenge :- Christmas is coming.
Ribbon Girls :- Jingle all the way to Christmas.
Dream Valley :- Anything Goes.

If you pop over to the Penny Black and More at Allsorts challenge blog you'll get lots of inspiration there.

I'm writing this on Saturday evening very late!! I'm still having terrible problems with my internet connection. I went to a crop this afternoon after work and tried to use the internet after tea. Needless to say I had no connection. So I've spent the evening cutting out all the bits I need to make 8 gift card holders for Christmas. I should have been finishing Oliver's birthday card. I made it ages ago and it just needs some finishing touches! I'll finish it today though because I want to post it and his present tomorrow to make sure it's there on time for his birthday on Wednesday.

I hope to catch up with everyone later as I've been such a bad blogger lately. I don't think I'm going to be any better this week as I'm out three nights. Typical I'm never out but now I'm out three times and I don't suppose any of them will be that early!

Enjoy what's left of your weekend and thanks for looking.

Totally Gorjuss 105 - Sketch.

2011-11-05T08:00:00.002Z

Good morning everyone, I hope it's better than the last couple of days. Damp, misty...just horrible. Weather forecast sounds ok so fingers crossed!

It's the first Saturday in November so it's time for another sketch from Net for our challenge at Totally Gorjuss. And as usual for the 1st Saturday we are sponsored by Joanna Sheen. I had a look yesterday and she has some really good bargains just now and of course these is no p&p so your money goes further!

I used :-

Image :- Cute Square from LOTV.

Sentiment :- Heritage Rubber Stamp Co.

DP :- GCD Studios.

Glamour Dust, ribbon and jewels.

Isn't this lovely DP? My friend and I bought a 12x12 pad between us. It's lovely traditional colours but not bright and I like it with this cute image.

I hope you can join us this week and if you need more inspiration just pop over to Totally Gorjuss.

Thanks for looking and internet access permitting I'll try to do some catching up with my favourite blogs. Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing.

I Like Simple!

2011-11-04T21:17:00.001Z

Hi everyone, I'm a bit later than I meant to be but isn't that just typical! I've hardly been at home this last fortnight between being at work all the time, going off to the SECC last Sunday and being out 2 nights this week already. So I thought I'd get this posted when I had the chance. I bought this lovely new Memory Box tree die at the SECC and so did my friend. She cut out her tree and then wondered how to stick it as it's too wide for her little Xyron. Last night I was out visiting a friend and when I came back I thought I'd cut mine out and try sticking it down with sticky dots. It worked so I made this simple card. I even made my DT card for Totally Gorjuss.

I used :-

Tree die :- Memory Box.

Martha Steward icicle punch.

Base of tree hand-cut from a piece of red card.
Sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.

Ribbon and jewels.

The blue card comes from the Papeterie and I've had it about 4-5 years, since I started making cards. It's been in a drawer ever since but it seems ideal for this type of simple card.

Well I'd best go and schedule a post for my DT card. I'm off to a crop at my local craft shop. Wonder what they've got that I need lol!

Thanks for looking, I'll try to visit tomorrow!

Simple Poinsettia Card.

2011-11-02T21:15:00.007Z

Hi everyone. Well so much with catching up yesterday evening! My broadband connection was really acting up. I had to do my Tesco order but it was really difficult. Then it was ok-ish for a while and I was nearly finished when it wouldn't work at all! Just when I was ready to finish and pay. I tried for a while but no use. I decided to have one last try but still no use. Sometimes the broadband was recognised but I couldn't get online and others there was no trace of it. Eventually I thought I might be able to finish the order on my phone. I went online on my HTC phone and there was my order. Still couldn't finish as I'd lost my time slot. When I chose a time slot I was able to complete the order. Not sure what happened though as 3 or 4 items disappeared and I got 3 items that I didn't order. Luckily the ones I didn't order won't go to waste and I can live without the ones that didn't come or get them somewhere else!!

Today I still didn't have internet access so my friend and I couldn't check up on our fav blogs. After tea I decided to phone my broadband helpline. I'm with the Post Office so I can get through really quickly and easily thank goodness. So I took my laptop through beside the router and phoned them. I had chosen the option I wanted and was waiting for someone to answer when I realised the internet light on the router was lit up for the first time since yesterday. So I hastily put down the phone! Well I'd have felt a right idiot phoning about no internet access if it had come back on. Not sure if it was a fault at the local exchange or further afield but I'm just glad to see it on again.

So here's the card I was going to post last night. This one was also inspired by Aud, thanks Aud!

I used :-
Poinsettia :- Marianne die.
Cuttlebug embossing folder.
Sentiment & card candi :- Craftwork Cards.
Ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'd like to enter the following challenges :-
One Stitch at a Time :- Christmas.
Pollycraft :- Anything Goes.
Totally Papercrafts :- Glitter It.

Now I've got internet access again I'm off to catch up with my DT commenting and try to make a start on my DT card for Totally Gorjuss. I'm hopelessly behind with visiting my favourite blogs so all I can do is apologise girls and start again tomorrow. I'm hoping that my trainee at the post office can work on her own tomorrow and I can have my day off again. I really need some me time lol!

BTW Carol was wondering what I'd bought at the SECC! Somehow I didn't seem to have a lot for what I'd spent as it more or less all got into one bag. I bought some new clear sets of Christmas Penny Blacks and Hobby Art sentiments, Distress Ink re-inkers, sticky backed pearls, double sided and extra sticky tape, TH tissue wrap, Memory Box and Marianne dies, memento dewdrop inks, LOTV stamps, a ball of wool to knit a fancy scarf and a jewelley kit to make a bracelet. I've already had to rewind the whole ball of wool as Max found it and had it all over the floor plus some of my other new stash. He can't seem to leave anything alone!!

Thanks for looking and I hope I still have internet access tomorrow so I can do some visiting.

Colour Create Challenge 82 - Burgundy, Gold, Green & Cream.

2011-11-01T21:22:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I'm still struggling to get anything done this week. I'm still training my new assistant so I had to be at work all day today. I've got my fingers crossed for my day off on Thursday. I had the day off on Monday after being away at the SECC on Sunday but I managed to achieve absolutely nothing craft-wise!!

I'm posting a card I made on Saturday but didn't manage to get posted due to one thing and another. I was inspired to make this card and another one after seeing a lovely card on Aud's blog on Saturday.

I used :-

Poinsettia :- Nestie die.

DP :- GCD Studios.

Sentiment and card candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Ribbon, gold seed beads in centre of poinsettia (although they look red here!)

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Colour Create :- Burgundy, gold, green and cream with the added option of dimension.

I'm off to try to catch up with some blogging now, I haven't had time to see what everyone is up to since Saturday.

Thanks for looking.

Totally Gorjuss 104 - I Remember.

2011-10-29T08:00:00.058+01:00

Good morning everyone and I hope you're going to join us for another challenge at Totally Gorjuss. This week our challenge is "I Remember." You could use an image that brings back a memory from childhood, or about someone or something special. I've chosen to make a Sympathy card this time using a favourite Penny Black stamp - Poppies.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black - paper pieced.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Ribbon, Glamour Dust, black Stickles, Swiss Dots embossing folder & green Promarker.

Quite a simple card but I think simple is best for a Sympathy card.

We're sponsored by Fantastic Ribbons this week and who doesn't like pretty ribbons for their projects. I know I do lol! So I hope you can join us. If you want some inspiration pop over to theTotally Gorjuss challenge blog to see what my talented teamies have made this week. You won't be disappointed.

I'm entering the following challenges with this card :-

Simon Says Stamp :- Anything Goes.

Charisma Cardz :- Anything Goes.

Thanks for looking and I'll try to catch up with you all later after work. I'll need to try and get up to date with everything today as I'm off to the SECC tomorrow. I need to get up really early as we catch the bus at 6.30am and we don't get home till after 9pm. So it's a long day but usually lots of fun. I've taken the day off on Monday to catch up with ironing and blogging.

It's been a very long week this week. My colleague has been on holiday all week and then she's leaving to look after her elderly mother. She'll be in on Monday as my day off has been arranged for a long time. But all this week I've been training a new colleague. Irene already works in the shop and can take charge when the bosses are on holiday so serving customers and dealing with cash are no problem for her. The Post Office is quite different though and there's a lot to learn. Unfortunately we've been really quiet all week but we've had a lot of posting and taking out cash and since that's a lot of our work she's done plenty of that. She's doing really well and I left her on her own for a while this morning and all afternoon. I'm sure Annette will be able to leave her to work on her own on Monday to get more experience. Not sure if I'll need to go in and be there on Tuesday morning but I'm hoping to stay at home and get my hoovering etc done.

Enjoy your weekend, catch up with you all later.

Pink Halloween?!!!

2011-10-28T13:00:00.034+01:00

I know, sounds weird doesn't it. A lady I know admired the cards and treat bag covers I made for Poppy & Oliver. She said you wouldn't make one for my granddaughter would you? Well of course I said I would, no problem. When I asked what she liked she said High School Musical I thought oops maybe not that. I've heard of it but I've no idea what it is. She said anything would do as long as it was pink! Ever wished you hadn't asked? Well I've done my best so I hope she likes it.

I used :-

Image :- House Mouse.

Sentiment :- Penny Black.

DP :- Craft Creations overstamped with a Penny Black image.

Colouring :- Promarkers and Spica glitter gel pens.

Not sure if she wanted a treat bag cover but I made one anyway with a piece of Bazzill, a Penny Black image, a Martha Stewart punch and a little piece of ribbon and of course some Glamour Dust.

I'm going to enter the following challenges :-
Passion for Promarkers :- For a child.
Paperplay :- Halloween.
Stampin for the Weekend :- Spooky.

Well I'm not sure what to think about this set. What do you think? I just think Halloween says colours like black, green, orange and purple. But this is what the customer wanted. I'm sure if the little girl likes pink she'll be quite happy so that's the main thing lol.

Thanks for looking and I'll see you tomorrow with my DT card for Totally Gorjuss.

Scary?!!

2011-10-27T22:42:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone I'm a bit late with this post but my internet connection was being a bit awkward earlier so I made a card for someone else instead. I took these cards and little treat bag holders to work with me so that I could buy some sweets and post them to my daughter for Poppy and Oliver. Everyone at work loved them and I showed them to a customer who wondered if I'd make one for her granddaughter. Snag is that she loves pink lol. So tomorrow I'll show you a pink Halloween card. Well it's different!!!

This is Oliver's card.

Since Poppy loves green this is her card.

And I made treat bag covers (from Split Coast Stampers.)

I used :-

Images & sentiments :- Penny Black.

DP :- MME.

Colouring :- Promarkers.
Martha Stewart border punch on treat bag covers.

I hope they like them. I've posted them now complete with some chocolate buttons plus some extra chocolate so at least they'll like the chocolate!

I'm entering the following challenges with these :-

Fussy and Fancy :- 3Bs - Black, border punch and bling. (Treat bag covers.)
Penny Black :- Too cute to spook.
Craft Your Days Away :-Halloween Colours.
ABC :- B is for Boo.
Allsorts :- Halloween.
Pollycraft :- Spooky Goings On.

Thanks for looking and I'll pop back tomorrow with the pink set!!

Little Red Car.

2011-10-24T07:00:00.029+01:00

Morning everyone, today I've got a card to show you that I made for my son. He's always been keen on cars since he was a wee boy so no surprise that he's ended up working in the motor trade. He used to be in car sales with all the stress associated with that job. Now he's a service manager with the Arnold Clark organisation with all the stress that involves lol! Luckily he's good at dealing with stroppy customers! Most people are perfectly happy with the work they've had done but there's always one, isn't there?

He drives a Ford but I don't know what this is. Doesn't look like a Ford to me and his car isn't red either lol! And his ears aren't as big as that either!!

I used :-

Image & sentiment :- Penny Black.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

DP :- MME.

Son - Anna Griffin, Card Candi, ribbon & nesties.

With any luck Mr Blogger will post this for me on Monday morning. Have a nice day whatever you're doing.

Another Simple Christmas Card.

2011-10-23T19:23:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone I hope you've had a lovely weekend. I believe it's half-term now in England so I hope you get better weather than the schoolchildren here in Scotland had this last fortnight!

I've made another quick Christmas card for my box.

I used :-

Image :- Hero Arts inked with a Vivid inkpad in Inky Blue.

Icicle border :- Marianne designs die.

Card Candi, Sakura clear glitter gel pen, and Glamour Dust.

I've just had to delete my original photo of this card and take another one. After I uploaded it I realised that there was a white space in the neck of the first camel. Trust me I hadn't even noticed that it hadn't stamped properly. Not the easiest stamp to use but it looks really nice when it works.

I'm off now to finish my son's birthday card which I'll show you tomorrow. I also need to put an insert in a Sympathy card so I can post it tomorrow. Then I suppose I should do my ironing and get it over with. I've got a meeting tomorrow to sort out the quiz questions for our annual WRI quiz for next month. The four of us in the quiz team usually do this every year and as treasurer I also have to sort out the prizes, raffles and the quizmaster's present. It's good fun for the participants and a good fundraiser for us and I think people look forward to coming along to support us.

See you tomorrow with Iain's birthday card.

Totally Gorjuss 103 - Pastel Christmas.

2011-10-22T08:00:00.001+01:00

Good morning everyone Saturday at last and time for another challenge over at Totally Gorjuss. This week our challenge is "Pastel Christmas." Well as you may have noticed Christmas cards are right up my street at the moment. And I do like to use colours that are a bit different from traditional red and green.

I used :-

Image:- LOTV.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Background paper stamped with 2 Hero Arts stamps and Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery & Lavender Lace.

Snowflakes :- Cuttlebug and Martha Stewart.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Ribbon, gems, twine and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Crafting When We Can :- Christmas come early.

Ribbon Girls :- Lilac and Green.

I was early this week getting my card made but left it till last night to schedule this post. And of course it was a nightmare with my dreadful internet connection. Took ages to load the pic! But it worked eventually thank goodness. Think I'll need to get my post scheduled earlier next week. My colleague is on holiday and then oh joy she's leaving to look after her Mum. Luckily I had the Monday after that booked. I'm going to the craft show at the SECC on the 30th and I need to have the Monday to recover and look at my new stash lol. So she's still going to work for me. So next week I'm going to be training my new colleague. My boss has managed to persuade one of the girls who works in the shop to work in the Post Office too. So at least it's someone I know. Not sure I'm very good at training someone else! This is the 4th time I've had to do this. It's really quite difficult to show someone else how to do something that's mostly automatic. But I'll do my best. Not the best time of year to start working in a post office but I'm sure she'll get on fine. She's often been in sole charge of the shop when the bosses are on holiday after all.

Thanks for looking and hope you likey. I'll try to catch up with everyone later after work.

Oops I forgot the important bit! We're sponsored by Lili of the Valley this week and I could easily find something to buy there any time! Unfortunately I can't win so I'll just have to buy something at the SECC next week. Well it would be rude not to, wouldn't it lol?!

Enjoy your weekend whatever you've got planned.

Simple Christmas Card!

2011-10-21T21:10:00.000+01:00

Why do I never have enough time to do everything I want to do?

I made this card yesterday but then I was out in the evening and not home very early so I didn't get time to write a post!

I used :-

Christmas Trees and Icicle border :- Marianne dies

Sentiment :- Heritage rubber stamp company.

EK success tag punch, Glamour Dust and jewels.

Mmm looks like I've lost a gem on the front tree! I know it doesn't look like it but the front tree is popped up on pads.

I hoped to do this earlier but our practice is inviting everyone elegible to go for a mammogram so it was my turn this morning. While I was there I went to look for a Leap Frog Leap Pad for Poppy. My younger daughter said that Catriona was looking for this hard to find toy for Poppy's birthday. So since I was at Peterhead anyway I said I'd have a look. There's a brilliant shop there that sells everything from clothes to bedlinen to kitchenware and carpets and everything in between. They also have a fantastic toy department. Happy day they had what I was looking for. Last one too and if anyone has seen it you can get it with pink corners or green. This one is green, Poppy's favourite colour! So I'm a very popular Mum today lol!

Thanks for looking and I'll be back tomorrow with my DT card for Totally Gorjuss.

A Trio of Christmas Cards!

2011-10-20T13:49:00.003+01:00

Hi everyone, what a gorgeous day it is here in Aberdeenshire today. Lovely and sunny even though it is really cold. I had my first frozen windscreen today and the temperature in the car was 1.5 degrees. But at least it's dry after all the rain and wind we've had and my furry boys are out playing in the garden just now. Peace!!

Yesterday my friend came over to craft and I managed to make 3 simple cards. I like to make a little Christmas card for the teenagers who work in the village shop where I work in the Post Office and I thought these might be ok.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Cuttlebug embossing folder, Martha Stewart punched snowflake, ribbon,Glamour Dust and Card Candi.

The challenge I'm entering with this one is Cards for Men :- Make us laugh. Well it made me laugh!

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment and card candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Cuttlebug embossing folder, Martha Stewart snowflake, ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering this card in the Secret Crafter :- White plus one colour.
Creative Inspirations Wednesday challenge :- Monochromatic.

I used :-

Image :- Meljen Designs.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Poinsettia :- Wild Orchid Crafts.

Cuttlebug embossing folder, ribbon and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering this card in the Wild Orchid :- Christmas Fun.

I'd best see what these naughty boys are up to now in case they've decided to do a spot of digging.

Thanks for looking and if you've got time to leave a quick comment I'd love to hear what you think of my cards.

The Winner of my Candy.

2011-10-16T22:39:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, I just realised that I hadn't drawn a winner of my candy. I've been busy working on my DT card for next Saturday and watching Spooks!

The number that came out of the "hat" is 12. So the winner is Helen. Congrats Helen and if you drop me an email with your details I'll send out your prize as soon as possible.

Commiserations to everyone who didn't win this time but I'll be back later this week with another candy.

My Candy.

2011-10-16T19:00:00.000+01:00

You can find my candy here. It ends on Sunday 16th October at 7pm.

Totally Gorjuss 102 - Bingo!

2011-10-15T08:00:00.002+01:00

Just a quick post as I almost forgot to schedule it lol!

As it's Saturday again it's time for another challenge at Totally Gorjuss. This week our challenge is "Bingo." Here are the options :-

Lace Ribbons Bows

Stars Buttons Pearls

Flowers Swirls Bling

And we'd like you to choose any line or column or diagonal of 3 items.

I chose bows, pearls and bling and here's my card.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

DP :- First Edition.

Sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.

Ric rac, Glamour Dust and pearls.

I also did some faux stitching.

I'll keep this short since as I said before I almost forgot to write it and schedule it. I'm working this morning as usual (but that's another. story!) so I'll come back later to add the challenges I'm going to enter.

I'm going to enter the following challenges :-

Sketch and Stash :- Sketch.
Lili of the Valley :- Warm and Cosy.
Charisma :- In Stitches.

This week we're sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and I know I'd love to win a voucher to spend there. So what are you waiting for I'm sure we've given you lots of choice and if you need any inspiration my talented teamies have made some gorgeous cards to inspire you.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing. My daughter is coming out from Aberdeen to have her hair cut this afternoon so maybe she'll take me for a coffee. I'll just re-arrange that I think, I'll probably take her for a coffee lol.

Thanks for looking and I'll catch up with you all later.

Nearly forgot just scroll down if you want to enter my candy giveaway.

Less is More 36 - Hearts.

2011-10-14T21:22:00.000+01:00

Last minute as usual with my card for the challenge at Less is More. This week the challenge is a one layer card featuring heart(s). I'm afraid it's not a very good effort but I like to try and enter their challenge when I can.

I used a Hero Arts image and a Woodware sentiment, stamped both using Memento ink in Lady Bug and added a few heart shaped gems. And that's it one simple card.

And that's me for today. I'll be back tomorrow with my DT card for Totally Gorjuss. If you fancy some candy, just scroll down for a look and join in if you like it.

Want Some Calorie-Free Candy.

2011-10-14T07:00:00.001+01:00

I haven't had any candy for a while so I think I might do some small giveaways just lasting a few days each. So here's the first one. If you like House Mouse then this is the one for you!

I'd like it if this candy went to one of my followers but please don't just follow me to enter my candy and then never come back again. Only follow if you like my work and want to visit sometimes. I've only got a pic of the House Mouse Stamp but if I get more than 10 comments I'll add some flowers, DP and ribbon.

Isn't that a cute image. I love House Mouse, don't think I've ever seen a House Mouse image I didn't like lol! What a relaxed little mousie!

I'll leave this in place until Sunday evening at 7pm and then I'll choose a winner.

Thanks for looking.

Penny Black 172 - Age Is Just a Number!

2011-10-13T21:33:00.000+01:00

Hi to anyone who happens to read this. I'll keep it brief cos not many people read my blog!

When I saw this challenge at Penny Black I couldn't resist joining in. I thought this fun image would be perfect for a birthday card for my great nephew. I'm well ahead here because he's not 17 till next July!

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

DP :- MME Everyday Flair.

Sentiment :- stamped - Hero Arts, oval - Craftwork cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Boys will be boys charm from stash.

Numbers cut with Cricut.

Nesties.

I'm also entering the following challenges :-

One Stitch at a Time :- Anything Goes.

Papertake Weekly :- Use 3 different shapes. I've got a circle, triangle and oval.

I'm off now to see about my DT card for Totally Gorjuss. I had hoped to get more done today but my colleague had to unexpectedly take her Mum into hospital this afternoon and I had to go into work till closing time. She phoned me a wee while ago and I'm relieved to hear that while her Mum needs a blood transfusion she's actually feeling ok! Since her Mum is not a well lady this may need to happen again but at least she knows now and won't get such a fright if they phone from the surgery.

Nothing's ever simple is it?

If anyone feels like leaving me a comment I'd be really grateful. I sometimes wonder if anyone visits my blog as I don't get much feedback. Maybe my cards are really bad and no-one wants to hurt my feelings! On the other hand I've actually lost 3 followers recently, do you think it was something I said lol!

I'll be back tomorrow with some candy for my followers.

Totally Gorjuss 101 Ooh La La!

2011-10-08T08:00:00.006+01:00

Good morning everyone, I hope you're all looking forward to the weekend. I'm going to a crop today after work so I hope Mr Blogger is kind and posts this at the right time.

Today at Totally Gorjuss our challenge is "Ooh La La." I'm afraid I struggled with this one and thought I might need to take a week off! But to me these Penny Black "Woolly Dames" look as if they're about to launch into a CanCan lol!

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

DP :- MME - Everyday Flair.

Sentiment :- Handwritten on two punched tickets.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Jewels and ribbon from stash.

I'm entering the following challenges with this card :-

ABC :- Anything Goes.
Papertake Weekly :- Anything Goes with the option of adding something punched - I added two punched tickets.
By the Cute and Girly :- Anything Goes.

Hope you can join us this week, we are sponsored by Crafters Companion who always have lots of "must have" goodies.

Thanks for looking and I'll see what everyone's been making later on. Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing.

Less is More 35 - again!

2011-10-07T20:23:00.000+01:00

Me again, 2 posts in the same day, amazing!! I made 2 cards last night for the Less is More challenge so here is the second one.

I used :-

Image :- Hero Arts.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Pearls :- Hobby House.

For a quick card it turned out not too badly, well I'm happy enough with it.

I'd best schedule my DT post for Totally Gorjuss since I've got work tomorrow and then a crop at my local craft shop. They're also having a sort of open day. The new owner has really made a difference to the shop, there's lots of lovely new stock and I believe even more boxes of goodies arrived this week. Can't wait to see what's new. More importantly I need to find something to do tomorrow for a couple of hours. Funny how you can find lots of things to do at home but it's not easy to remember to take everything you need. So it'll have to be something easy lol. Maybe I'll colour in!

Thanks for looking and I'll see you tomorrow with my DT card for Totally Gorjuss.

Less is More 35 The Colour of Your Eyes.

2011-10-07T12:43:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, I've just sneaked away from my hoovering to blog this card. The challenge at Less is More this week is "The Colour of Your Eyes." Well are nothing fancy, just plain brown. So here's a really quick card I made last night.

I used :-

Image :- Hero Arts.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Pearls :- Hobby House.

Ribbon from stash.

Nothing much to say really! I just stamped the image and sentiment using Rich Cocoa Memento ink and added a few pearls and a piece of ribbon. I've got another card along the same lines so I might blog it later if I get time.

Thanks for looking.

Penny Black 171 Down on the Farm.

2011-10-06T16:07:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone I seem to have been a bit MIA this week again. My arm took a turn for the worse on Monday and I had to go to the doctor. My boss very kindly said I could close for half an hour. I couldn't even bear to drive so I walked to the surgery. Guess who got soaked in a shower on the way back. I was glad to get a prescription for strong painkillers and anti inflammatory tablets. Problem was I had to drive there, only a few miles but I was past my best by the time I got there. Not a lot of fun trying to change gear when your arm doesn't want to move and certainly not without a lot of pain. Never mind I'm a lot better now and I was quite keen to make a card when my friend came over yesterday.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black - Woolly Dames.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Background :- Distress Inks using the baby wipe method.

Fence :- Tim Holtz die.
Trees :- Hero Arts.

Buttons, pearls and twine from stash.

I was inspired by Kath who has made an amazing card for the Penny Black challengewhich I'm hoping to enter. This week the challenge is "Down on the Farm" so I think my dancing sheep fit that. The only thing is that I'm a bit worried that Kath is going to think I've completely copied her card. I've tried to do my own thing so I hope it's ok!

I'm off to think about my DT card for Totally Gorjuss. We have a new challenge every week so I hope you can join us.

Thanks for looking and I'll try to do some catching up later!

I Love Cute Squares!

2011-10-02T08:00:00.017+01:00

Morning everyone and I hope you're all having a lovely weekend. Today I've just got a couple of Christmas cards I made recently.

I used :-

Images :- Both LOTV cute squares with some added Glamour Dust.

Sentiments and card candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Martha Stewart punch, ribbon, poinsettia and Cuttlebug embossing folders.

And another entry for Simon Says Stamp challenge where they're trying to reach 1000 entries this week.

Thanks for looking and enjoy what's left of your weekend.

By the Cute and Girly 2nd Birthday Celebration Blog Hop.

2011-10-01T23:10:00.000+01:00

Have you seen the news from By the Cute and Girly?

Looks like it's going to be fun! I'll try to be there, will you? Click on the picture in my sidebar to find out more.

Totally Gorjuss 100 Sketch.

2011-10-01T08:00:00.021+01:00

Hi everyone, can you believe it's the first of October already. How are you getting on with your Christmas cards? I seem to be making Christmas cards for any challenge I find unless it is specifically birthday or whatever. So you won't be surprised to see a Christmas card from me today lol!

As it's the first Saturday of the month our challenge over at Totally Gorjuss we have one of Net's lovely sketches for you to use.

And here's my take on it. I hope you can join us. We're sponsored by Joanna Sheen and I'm sure you could easily spend £10 in her online store and with no p&p it's even better!

I used :-

Image :- LOTV.

Sentiment & card candi :- Craftwork Cards.

DP :- MME.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Bakers' twine, Glamour Dust.

I'd like to enter the following challenges :-

Cute Card Thursday :- Animal Crackers.
Cupcake :- If You Go Down to the Woods Today.
Simon Says Stamp :- Anything Goes.
Charmed Cards & Crafts :-An image you've coloured in.

Well I've got an exciting day lined up at the Papeterie in Aberdeen today. Kath, Debbi and Anne have organised another Girls Just Want to Have Fun day. And it will be fun. The last one was lots of fun so I'm really excited. I'm sure they'll have great projects for us to do.

I'll be around to see what everyone's been doing this evening after my fun day. Can't wait to see what we're making . Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing and thanks for looking.

Let it Snow!

2011-09-30T08:00:00.048+01:00

Morning everyone. Since I don't really have much time this week to craft and didn't much feel like crafting either I've decided to show some more of the cards I've made recently and haven't posted yet.

Don't you just love Snoopy? Well I do so I was really pleased when I found some Snoopy stamps.

I used :-

Image :- Stampabilities.

DP :- MME.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Card Candi and Sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.

Snowflake :- Martha Stewart punch.

Glamour Dust and ribbon.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square cut out with a nestie.

Seniment :- Heritage stamp company.

Snowflakes :- Martha Stewart punches.

Card Candi, ribbon Glamour Dust and Promarker on candi and snowflakes.

So there we have it, another couple of Christmas cards for my box.

And I think I can enter at Simon Says Stamp where the challenge is Anything Goes.

Thanks for looking and soon be the weekend. On Saturday I'm going to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" at the Papeterie in Aberdeen with Kath, Debbi and Anne. I'm really looking forward to it, should be lots of fun.

What a Cutie!

2011-09-29T21:50:00.001+01:00

I thought I'd show you one of the Christmas cards I made a while ago. I've got a really sore arm thanks to my lovely dogs lol!! I bought them Halti collars last week and Blue is walking very well. Max walks fine sometimes but he can be a bit tricky and manages to get it off over his nose. I did get a sore arm the other week when they insisted on speaking to our farmer neighbour!! It was a lot better but I think it's been pulled once too often at the beginning of the week. So funnily enough I don't feel much like doing anything. It isn't really helping that I've been working full time this week and it seems to be a week for posting parcels! Please don't be offended if I say that sometimes ebay is the bane of my life at work in the post offfice lol! The last straw was when someone came in at almost 1pm today with a 10kg parcel (I don't think it was anything to do with ebay) which I couldn't get onto the scales without putting them on the floor. So that caused a bit of pain.

But enough moaning here's the card.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment and card candi :- Craftwork Cards.

DP :- First Edition.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Glamour Dust, ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder.

I'd like to enter the following challenges with this card :-

Stampin for the Weekend :- What a Cutie.
One Stitch at a Time :- Favourites - card candi, Glamour Dust, ribbon and embossing folder.
Simon Says Stamp :- Anything Goes.

I think I might go and schedule some of the oher cards I made recently but haven't posted yet.

Thanks for looking.

House Mouse & Friends 104 - Happy Birthday.

2011-09-25T00:27:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone I couldn't resist making a birthday card to enter the House Mouse and Friends Challenge. It's their 3rd birthday and they're having a blog hop to celebrate with lots of lovely prizes.

I used sketch 29 from Sketch and Stash and I'm also entering the challenge at Secret Crafter which is 1 image, 2 papers, 3 flowers, 4 brads and 5 gems/pearls.

I used :-

Image :- House Mouse.

DP :- Marianne Design.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Flowers :- Prima.

Brads, Glamour Dust and jewels.

Thanks for looking and enjoy what's left of your weekend.

Totally Gorjuss - 99 - Birds of a Feather.

2011-09-24T08:00:00.006+01:00

Good morning everyone and hasn't this last week flown past. Not sure what I've been doing but I don't seem to have had any spare time!

We left last Friday to stay at my daughter's house as we were going to a wedding on Saturday. Then we babysat Poppy and Oliver on Sunday and came home on Monday. I did have my laptop with me but it never even made it out of the bag. Then of course I had to catch up with washing and ironing. I did manage to keep up with my DT commenting but never got a card made until Wednesday. Got some made on Thursday and then managed to get some very simple cards made for Less is More on Friday morning. I've come to the conclusion that I'd get on better if my internet connection was a bit quicker, I always waste a lot of time waiting for something to happen!!

But here's my card for Totally Gorjuss. This week our theme is "Birds of a Feather" and as the title suggests we'd like to see birds on your card or project. Now I have to admit to struggling here. I'm not really a bird person and don't really have bird stamps. I've got one or two Easter themed stamps and maybe one or two Christmassy ones. I decided that the theme implied more than one bird so that made it even more difficult. I remembered this cute Penny Black stamp and found a little bird in a clear set and thought I could add it to the main image.

It's quite a simple card but I've added lots of glitter and jewels and I quite like it lol! Oops I nearly forgot to say that we are sponsored by Lili of the Valley so if you win you could buy some of their lovely new stamps.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment & Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

DP :- MME.

Sizzix snowflake, Martha Stewart punch, Glamour Dust & jewels.

I'm not sure if this card fits any challenges but I'll check after work.

Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend.

Less is More 33 Last CAS card.

2011-09-23T21:34:00.000+01:00

You'll be glad to hear that this is my last card for Less is More this week. This is just a variation on the silver one. I embossed in gold this time and just left it at that!

I used :-

Image :- Denami Designs.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Gold embossing powder.

That's me for now. I have some other cards to post throughout the week next week. Lucky as I'm working full time so I might not have time to do very much!

I'm off to schedule a post for my Totally Gorjuss and catch up with my DT commenting. Life would be so much easier with a good internet connection. Out here in the country it's pretty dire. My son lives not much more than 20 miles away in Aberdeen and his connection speed is many times faster than mine. Seems pretty unfair to me after all people in places like Aberdeen or Edinburgh or Glasgow or London with the same broadband provider pay the same as me. At times I can hardly be bothered trying to use the internet. There are only so many times you can look at a screen saying Internet Explorer can't show you a page before you lose your temper lol!

Thanks for looking and I hope you can pop back tomorrow and see what the challenge is at Totally Gorjuss.

Less is More 33 - Third Card.

2011-09-23T21:06:00.000+01:00

Another quick card for Less is More. Really quick lol! Not sure it's very good though!

I used :-
Image :- Hero Arts.
Sentiment :- Hero Arts.
Colouring :- Whispers pens.

I've got one more card to post so I'll be back soon.

Thanks for looking.

Less is More 33 Second Card.

2011-09-23T20:30:00.000+01:00

Back again with another card for Less is More. A very quick CAS card, pity about the embossing lol!

I used :-

Image :- Denami Design.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Promarker, embossing powder, Picket Fence Distress Stickles.

I made this very quickly this morning after I did my housework. I'm off to enter now and then I'll be back with the next one.

Thanks for looking.

Less is More 33 Clean and Simple.

2011-09-23T20:11:00.003+01:00

I've been trying all week to get a card done for the Less is More and here I am at the last minute lol! I have managed to make other cards this week but none of them were CAS. So here's my first card.

I used :-

Image :- Hero Arts stamped using a Vivid inkpad in Inky Blue.

Cuttlebug embossing folders, ribbon & Sakura clear glitter gel pen.

This also fits the challenge at Truly Scrumptious which is also "Clean and Simple."

Not much I need to say really except thanks for looking.

Penny Black 169 - Friendship.

2011-09-23T19:43:00.001+01:00

Well talk about being at the last minute lol! I've had this card made for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge yesterday but I didn't have time to blog it till now. The fact that my internet connection is mega slow doesn't help. Anyway here's my card.

I used :-

Image :- Penny Black.

Sentiment and Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

DP :- Bo Bunny.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Pearls :- Hobby House.

Martha Stewart punches, Glamour Dust.

I'm off to enter before it's too late. I'll be back later with a card for Less is More.

Thanks for looking.

Totally Gorjuss 98 - Nothing Square About Me.

2011-09-17T08:00:00.017+01:00

Good morning everyone. At least I hope Mr Blogger has been kind and posted this for me on Saturday morning. I'm going to a wedding today so I won't be able to check until Sunday! So fingers crossed lol.

This week at Totally Gorjuss our theme is "nothing square about me." Yes that's right we'd like to see you making some differently shaped cards. It's nice to have a change instead of automatically making a square card. I know I rarely make anything other than a square card so I enjoyed making this little card. I made a "New Home" card for a lovely blogging friend so I hope she's received it before she sees it here lol!

I used :-

Image :- Hero Arts.

Sentiment :- Inca stamps.

DP :- First Edition - Hideaway.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Nesties, ribbon & tag punch.

I'm hoping to enter the following challenges :-

One Stitch at a Time :- Punch it.
Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge Blog :- Anything Goes.
Pile it On :- layer it.
Cute Card Thursday :- Anything Goes.
Paperplay :- Punches & Dies.

A couple of these challenges are Sunday ones so I hope I can enter them before I leave for the wedding. We're sponsored by Simon Says Stamp this week so I hope you can join us for this nice easy challenge. My lovely teamies have some gorgeous cards to inspire you so don't forget to pop over to Totally Gorjuss to see their lovely work.

I'm babysitting on Sunday but I hope I can find some time to catch up with your entries as well as my favourite blogs.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing and please cross your fingers for good weather where I'm going today. Thanks for looking.

Happy Birthday to Max & Blue.

2011-09-15T16:38:00.000+01:00

I can't believe that Max & Blue are a year old already! This time last year I had a lovely, biddable chocolate Labrador bitch and now I have these two cheeky, badly behaved black Labrador dogs. As we often say "who would have thought they would have lived so long" lol!! If you met them you'd understand why they're sometimes referred to as the devil and his brother!

As you can see they're having a very hectic birthday - not! Max is lying in his bed near me as I type and I think Blue is lying on a chair in the conservatory. I love it when they're peaceful as they were when I took this photo this morning.

I think Blue is on the right on the red bed and Max on the bone bed. Blue is slightly taller and heavier at about 40kg and Max is about 36kg. That probably sounds as if they're overfed and fat but they aren't. They're just big tall, long dogs. Funnily enough they don't always eat 2 meals a day. Quite often if one doesn't eat neither does the other one. Weird or what? They don't steal each other's food although they would steal each other's biscuits or treats. We've never had a Labrador like that before. Any we've ever had used to dive into their food and hoover it all up almost instantly. Labradors don't have a reputation as dustbins for nothing!

So they're a lot of dog to try to walk! I've had a sore left arm which I blame on dog walking. Pulling is bad enough but it's when they take a sudden dive that it really hurts your arms. Trouble is they're very determined and suddenly take a notion to leap into the grass or across the road. I have to be very careful as there are lots of sheep and lambs at the farm next to us and sometimes 1 or 2 get out of their fields. If the dogs saw them there is no way I could hold onto them and that would be very scary! I often have scary moments involving meeting cars, bikes, quads, people, tractors other dogs. In fact I usually get back home exhausted and glad to be safely home again without any disasters.

But of course we wouldn't be without them no matter how naughty or destructive they are. Cushions are a particular favourite. They can take things out of the washing basket (a tall one) and leave it standing upright. Max regularly steals my handbag and takes it into the back of their cage without spilling anything. And don't even mention slippers, shoes, boots or socks. This morning Max stole my dog walking hat out of my hand! Blue is more inclined to look a bit ashamed if he gets a row for being a bad dog but Max's answer to everything is to smile and wag his tail.

I'd like to take more photos of them but if I see them doing something funny it's usually too late by the time I press the button. And does anyone else find it difficult to get a good photo of a black dog or is it just me?

Now I must go and see if I can finish some of the cards I started yesterday! I was at the first meeting of the WRI for this session last night and tried to get round some blogs when I came home but my broadband is so bad recently that it takes ages and I'm really behind with my visiting. I'm keeping up with my DT work so that's something. At the WRI 2 ladies from another WRI came along and gave us a cookery demo. Fantastic...you always get to taste everything. And then we had tea/coffee and homebakes. It was good to get back and catch up with everyone again.

But I'm waffling so I'll go and do something useful now. Hope you like my boys!

Here's Two I Made Earlier.

2011-09-12T08:00:00.001+01:00

At last I'm getting round to posting a couple of cards I made a few days ago! I did the first one for last week's Penny Black challenge and then didn't get round to getting posted on time lol! The other one is just a quick card using a LOTV cute square. And I've still got plenty of cute squares left from last year.

I don't think they fit any challenges but I just thought since I'd made them I might as well let you see them. The first one uses two different stamps to make a little scene. Not very well done but maybe ok from a good distance lol! At least it's another 2 cards for my collection, wonder if I've reached 30 yet.

During the next few days I'll show you the cards I made at the crop on Saturday - and all 5 of them are Christmas cards!

It's a full day at work for me now but this week I've got a day off on Saturday and a wedding to look forward to. I'm really looking forward to meeting some old friends. The groom's Dad was our best man and I've known him for nearly 37 years and his wife for slightly less time. We should know a lot of the guests too. We're staying at my daughter's before and after the wedding as it's at 12.30 in Lanarkshire so it would mean a really early start on Saturday! And we get to babysit on Sunday. Luckily it's probably about half an hour from the hotel where the reception is being held to Crieff so even if it goes on till late we won't have far to go.

Hope everyone isn't finding the weather too bad since we're supposed to be getting the edge of this hurricane today. Sunday was pretty windy and I think we're quite used to that up here anyway.

Thanks for looking and I'll catch up with you all later.

Mudpie's Cake!

2011-09-10T21:38:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, me again. Most unusual for me to post twice in the one day!! If you want to see my DT card for Totally Gorjuss please scroll down. I thought I'd show you another of the cards I made the other day. I was thinking about the House Mouse & Friends challenge which is use a recipe or a recipe card and thinking I couldn't enter but when I checked my stamps I found this image! Cute isn't it?

I used :-

Image :- House Mouse - Mudpie's Cake.

DP :- First Edition - Summer Breeze.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Card Candy :- Craftwork Cards.

Retro flower punch, pearls, ribbon.

I'm entering the following challenges too :-

Creative Card Crew :- Anything Goes.

Stamp Something :- Anything Goes.

Colour Create :- Pink, brown, cream, white.

Stampin' for the Weekend :- Tickled Pink.

Craft Your Days Away :- Make Your Own Flowers.

I think that's all lol! I've still got another 2 cards that I never got round to posting but I'll do that soon.

I went to a crop today at my local craft shop. We have one every 4 weeks and there can be up to 11 of us but for one reason and another there were only 4 of us this time. Funnily enough we all seemed to get lots done today. We might tell the others that they're a bad influence lol! In truth we probably did as much chatting as usual. I think I was just a bit more organised than usual and I was pretty chuffed to get five Christmas cards made!

Thanks for looking and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Totally Gorjuss 97 - Manly.

2011-09-10T08:00:00.002+01:00

Good morning everyone I hope you can join us over at Totally Gorjuss for a great challenge. I know most of us hate doing male cards but that's what we'd like you to make this week. It's not as bad as it sounds.....honest! You could make a card for a little boy or one for a new baby boy. How does that sound? Not so bad is it?

So here's my card and if you pop over to Totally Gorjuss my teamies have some lovely cards to inspire you. And of course you might want to know who's sponsoring us this week lol! Well this week Crafters' Companion are offering £10 to spend in their store to our lucky winner.

I used :-

Image :- LOTV cute square.

DP :- MME - Everyday Flair.

Sentiment & Card Candi - Craftwork Cards.

Ribbon, Nesties.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Papertake Weekly :- Anything Goes.
Crafting When We Can :- Anything Goes.

I'm not sure what happened to my time this week! I've made 4 cards and not blogged a single one except this one. I made one to enter the Penny Black challenge plus 2 other challenges and never got round to blogging the card! I've still got one for House Mouse if I can get round to blogging it in time!! Plus yet another Christmas card.

I've got the day off today so I'm off out this morning so I'll try to catch up later!

Enjoy your weekend.

Totally Gorjuss 96 - Sketch.

2011-09-03T08:00:00.002+01:00

Good morning everyone. Can't believe it's the weekend again already. I'm really glad I've got a day off on Monday as it's a local holiday! I'm hoping to be able to get on with some crafting! Well that's the plan anyway lol.

Time for another sketch challenge over at Totally Gorjuss. As usual on the first Saturday of the month we are sponsored by the ever generous Joanna Sheen. The lucky winner will get £10 to spend in her online store where you can find lots of lovely goodies and there's no p&p so that makes a visit even better.

Net has given us a great sketch this week which I really loved using. I'll definitely use this one again. So here's my take on it.

I used :-
Image :- Penny Black.
Sentiment :- Craftwork Cards.
DP :- Bo Bunny.
Colouring :- Promarkers.
Ribbon, Glamour Dust, Jewels and Martha Stewart punch.

I was going to add some snowflakes but I decided that the DP was too gorgeous to cover!

I'm entering the following challenges with this card :-
Charisma Cardz :- Anything Goes.
Penny Black at Allsorts :- Get Ahead for Christmas.
St Lukes :- Use 4 items from a given list. I used DP, ribbon, gems and punches.

Fingers crossed Mr Blogger posts this for me at the right time as I'm scheduling it for Saturday morning. I thought I wasn't going to be able to write it at all as I couldn't get onto the internet for anything on Friday evening. Luckily my son had come to visit so he managed to get it working. No idea what he did but at least it works.

By the way have you seen the giveaway over at Lili of the Valley Ideas to inspire who have some lovely new Christmas stamps coming out on 6th September. Don't forget to pop over and join in, there are 2 prizes to be won every day.

Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend.

The Second Birthday Card.

2011-09-02T08:00:00.019+01:00

Hi everyone, I thought I'd just show you the other card I made for my boss's grandson. This one is from his great grandparents. Hope they like it! I used one of my favourite Penny Black stamps which I think works quite well for a wee boy's birthday card.

I used :-promarketchallenge.

Image :- Penny Black.

DP :- DCWV.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

Card Candi :- Craftwork Cards.

Ribbon.

Not sure if there are any challenges for this card but if there are I'll add them later.

I found some!

Passion for Promarkers :- Anything Goes.
Creative Card Crew :- Anything Goes.
Simon Says Stamp and Simon Says Stamp and Show :- Anything Goes.

Soon be the weekend and even better I have a day off on Monday as it's a local holiday. Unfortunately that's the last one till Christmas. I've still got a few days left to get from my holidays and one or two booked already. I'll probably keep some days for November as Poppy and Oliver both have birthdays in November.

Thanks for looking and I'll try to catch up with you all later. My broadband has been awful this week and I'm struggling to get my DT commenting done.

By the way is it just me but my signature seems to have vanished!? The html code is still there but it doesn't seem to be showing up on my blog. Has anyone else had this problem?

Would you believe it I've just checked this evening and it's back again! How weird is that?

Birthday Boy.

2011-09-01T07:00:00.033+01:00

Hi everyone. I don't often get asked to make a card but my boss asked me to make cards for her parents and herself and her husband to give to their great grandson/grandson. I hope they like them. It's a bit different to make a card for someone else, isn't it? It's Logan's first birthday in a few days. None of us can believe that he'll be a year old already. Seems to have been a very quick year!

I used :-

Image :- House Mouse.

Colouring :- Promarkers.

DP :- Magenta.

Sentiment :- Hero Arts.

Grandson :- computer generated.

Ric rac, bakers twine, buttons and Glamour Dust.

I'm entering the following challenges :-

Everybody Art Challenge :- sketch.

Well I'd best go to work and finish off Wednesday's balance. Lucky me I'm off to the dentist this morning for a check up. So hopefully I'll be in and out in a few minutes!

Catch up with you all later.