Sore thumb - Part 2!

Finished the two I had to make now - this is the Pinflair egg I have made for my mum. I am going to make acetate boxes tonight and then put them away. Hope I don't forget them when it comes to March!!

Am starting to get a bit of a callous on my thumb so it doesn't hurt QUITE so much but was still pretty sore. Oh how we suffer for our craft eh?!!

Sore thumb!

Keeping me out of mischief in the evenings are the projects I bought for Mother's Day this year (and yes - I realise it's not until March!). These great Pinflair eggs remind me so much of the Faberge eggs when they are finished and they are really easy to do - just fiddly and time consuming ........ oh and don't forget the sore thumb from pushing in all those pins! I tried wearing a thimble but I just couldn't work with it and still pick up all the fiddly bits. This isn't made any easier by my acrylics either!

I made this one for my MIL and am halfway through a different one for my mum. I'll share a piccy when I get it finished (if my thumbs last that long!).

Grunge

Just chewing a Quality Street Toffee Penny for the last half an hour! Off my diet for yesterday and today and really enjoyed the "naughties". I have lost 2 stones (28 pounds) and have another 2 to go so decided that halfway was a good time to have a few treats!


I made this card a few weeks ago for a special friend using an alcohol ink background done onto glossy card and overstamped with a Magnolia swirl in Adirondack Raspberry. I then stamped these Paper Artsy Squiggly Ink stamps onto acetate and embossed before adding the Grungeboard flower which was coloured with Adirondack Colour Washes in Cranberry and Stonewashed before spritzing over the top with Glimmer Mists in Cranberry Zing and Snowflake.

Gosh I have sticky teeth. YUM!! Going to do some tidying up at my desk tonight and hopefully make something new. Isn't it WONDERFUL not to have to make anything "Christmassy"?!!

Delight!

THIS is what Christmas looks like when you are four and come in the living room to find Santa has brought you "everything I wanted" which in fairness to our rascal was only three things (seems Santa brought him a bit more than that!). After weeks of threatening him for good behaviour or Santa wouldn't bring him anything it also seems that Ben "must have been a better boy than you thought". Well there's no answer to that is there??!!

Have a wonderful day wherever you are and whoever you are with. If like us you are spending Christmas without your beloved for whatever reason (ours is at work) then you get an extra big hug.

Talk about cheering me up!

These came today from my wonderful friend Annie. They are narcissus and freesia and cannot tell you how they have cheered me up and how stunning they smell. Thank you so much - I was moved to tears.

I have made some truly amazing friends through this blog and from the Stamping Mad Forum - real friends, not just "virtual" ones. There's a real support network going on here and I am just so pleased to be a part of it!

Pharyngitis

This is the name of what I have apparently! Anyway it's bloody sore whatever it's called!! I have anti-biotics now and should be fighting fit in a couple of days.

Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas.

Poorly

Really not well this last couple of days. My throat feels like I've swallowed a golf ball and I feel shivery and exhausted.

Cute Card Thursday #41 - Open Theme

As this is the last challenge from Cute Card Thursday now until 8th January we are having an open theme so you can enjoy yourself and do whatever takes your fancy!

This card is for my sister-in-law's 40th birthday today. Colouring in this Sarah Kay stamp is my first attempt at water-colouring with my Distress Ink re-inkers since I got the Hot Press paper and I am reasonably happy with it. Needs more practice but the paper really does make a big difference (thanks Jacqui x). Paper is K&Co, lace from Scrapz, flowers Scrapfairies and Mad About Cards and the sentiment is a Craftwork Cards flower coloured with pigment ink and triple embossed.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges - Christmas/New Year

This is the last challenge for two weeks on Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges and we have a theme of Christmas and/or New Year.

Tilda with Christmas Presents has been coloured with Promarks, Ranger pen and Sakura Stardust pens. Background paper is from Papermania and some ribbon, Swarovski gems, clip and charm finish it off.

Penny Black Saturday #23 -Recipe

Hurray - I have packed my Christmas stuff away in a {big} box until August. Feels sooooo good to actually make something non-Christmas related - although Ben and I ARE making shortbread for tomorrow's Nursery concert thanks to him volunteering us. In fairness, he actually does do a lot of it himself and it will pass a wet afternoon :~)

Another yummy recipe this week (see that link - seamless!) is on Penny Black Saturday - 3 flowers, 2 papers and 1 ribbon. I used Basic Grey Granola 6x6 paper pad and this cutie from Penny Black coloured with Promarkers. Flowers are Prima and Scrapfairies. Little twiddly bits finish it off.

Award!

Yes I am a naughty, bad girl. If you have given me an award and I haven't displayed it on here I am REALLY sorry and hope you will please forgive me!! Anyway, I really will try and keep up with these in future and not cop out EVERY time!

This lovely one was given to my by my lovely friend Annie - thanks babes.

The rules are to give it to five others, who shall give it to five others. You must link to the one you got it from, and also to the ones you give it to and let them know. And there is more ... ... You have to write down five things you are addicted to!

Hmmmmmmmm - just FIVE that's not very fair is it??!!!

1. Right - would have to be my husband. I just ADORE him, can never get enough of him and want to squeeze him until he pops so presume that would count as an addiction!
2. Rubber stamps of any kind, size, shape etc.
3. Paints and colouring mediums of any type
4. Patterned papers. Every time DH comes into the craft room it's become a bit of a standing joke now for him to remark on how many paper pads I have :)
5. Tetley Earl Grey and Vanilla tea - a recent addiction after I bought this by accident instead of "proper" Earl Grey but wow it's fabby!

Okay, so to chose five ladies who as far as I can see haven't had this yet are (in no particlar order) :-

1. Donalda - her blog is really great reading and she's a lovely lady;
2. My DT buddy Maria
3. My Stamping Mad sister Billie for her wonderful tutorials
4. Jo (Fairy Mad) for not giving up with her crafting and creating some really beautiful work
5. Sue - my Stamping Mad friend.

Feeling all smug now as have posted and delivered all my cards and wrapped all the presents (well all but two as I ran out of wrapping paper at midnight grrrr!).

Candy!

I used put all the names into a random generator (bobble hat) and pulled out NATALIE! Congratulations Natalie!

Thanks to everyone for your friendship and comments this year, even though sometimes I haven't been the world's best blogger. I have delivered all but a few of my cards now and have all but two of my presents wrapped (I ran out of wrapping paper on the last 2 - grrrr!) so will be having a few days catch up next week to see what you have all been up to!

10,000 Hits - The Return!

*THIS POST WILL STAY AT THE TOP UNTIL SUNDAY - PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR RECENT POSTINGS*
Well I approach this number again!! My first counter went it's merry way and I had to start this new one so as I have been a very bad Blogger recently I have decided to give away 10,000 hits candy to you my lovely friends again by way of an apology.

Right now - there are so many stamps out there and so many of us buying - sooooo what I propose is that YOU choose which stamp you want for the candy and if you win I will get it! Sound okay? That way you get one you've not got (current stamps that are readily available please)!!

To be in with a chance of winning this candy just leave a comment 'fessing up to your biggest crafty splurge and let me know which stamp you want. I will randomly draw a winner next Saturday, 13th December.

Cute Card Thursday #40 - Punches

First of all - WOW I can't believe we are at challenge 40 on Cute Card Thursday! Congratulations to Andrea and to Deb too who was there at the beginning!

This week we are asking you to dust off your punches (not die cuts!). Well - as restraint is NOT usually my middle name I didn't see any reason to change and think I may have gone a little bit punch-drunk with this one (get it??!!).

Anyhow I used one of the new Sugar Nellie stamps "Luvvie" and coloured her with Promarkers and Ranger white pen for accents here and there. The paper is from Papermania creams pad and I have used a Fiskars border punch on just about every edge! The sentiment is from Craftwork Cards and I have coloured it with ink and triple embossed over the top with clear EP. Some Hobbycraft ribbon and punches embellished with peel-offs and cystal lacquer finish it off.

After bragging constantly for months about how I have made all my Christmas cards I now find myself in the embarrassing position of not having actually written or posted any!! Think I'd better be off ..............

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges - Frosty Nights

Brrrr it's getting chilly out of doors and over on Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges we have a theme of "Frosty nights"! This week, in addition to the Frosty theme, we are also looking for someone to join the team as a Guest Designer for the month of January. So if you would like to be considered, please add GD to your comment on the blog along with a link to your ATC.

This Tilda image was sent to me by Annie and I have coloured her with Promarkers and a Ranger white pen. I rang some vellum through the Cuttlebug and used blue and pink Brilliance to add some colour. Six punched out snowflakes and a snowflake shrink plastic charm with some craft wire attached to a Dovecraft brad finishes it off.

Cute Card Thursday #39 - Hearts

DH goes back to work on Monday night for four weeks so we are having our family time just now. I'll be back next week some time.

I only just realised I hadn't posted this week's card from Cute Card Thursday. DOH! This week the theme is "Hearts" and we are sponsored by Charmed Cards and Crafts. I have used one of their coloured downloads to make this card, combined with HOTP paper and embossed card. Don't forget to check out the Design Team's lovely creations.

If you are seeing this then the scheduled posting worked!

Red and Green is the theme this week from Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges. Do pop on over to the blog to check out the Design Team's creations.

This lovely Tilda was sent to me by Annie and I've coloured her with Promarkers and Sakura pens. The embellishment was made with sticky-backed canvas put onto sheet metal to shape and sprayed with Glimmer Mists (as in Craft Stamper Magazine). Mad tassel finishes it off!

AWOL

I'm away for a few days now until next Thursday. Be good.

Cute Card Thursday #38 - Lilac

Nice and simple this week on Cute Card Thursday - we want you to make a lovely lilac card and share it with us! There's some lovely papers and tags to give away too so pop on over to be inspired by the Design Team and check it out!

Tilda has been coloured with Promarkers and Sakura pens. Paper is from Designer Digitals and I have used a Fiskars border punch on the lilac card. Sentiment is by Hero Arts and the flowers are Prima with a silk and pearl embellishment from my local haberdashers on top. Little crystal flowers finish it off.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges - Warm and Cosy

Brrrrr! it has turned very cold this last week in the UK, and Scotland has even had snow! So wrap up warm, or cosy up by the fire for this week's ATC theme of "Warm and Cosy". You could have your little cute faced folk all wrapped up warm in the outdoors or perhaps in front of the fire, and you don't even have to have a 'person' on your ATC at all. Take a look at the Design Team's creations for some inspiration. Come and join in the fun with us and share your Warm and Cosy ATC creations. Don't forget to pop back to the Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges Blog later to find out who has won the Magnolia stamp from last week.

I have coloured Edwin in his warm and cosy clothes with Promarkers and white Ranger pen. A bit of cuttlebugging and some gems, ribbon and a sentiment made on the Dymo machine finish him off.

Rainbow Lady Challenge #40 - Snowmen!

Still plodding on with my stuff for the Craft Fair and noticed the theme of "Snowmen" this week from Cynthia at Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog. I had forgotten about this adorable Serendipity Cling snowman so thanks Cynthia for reminding me - he makes a very cute candle! Well this is one off the list - about 20 candles to go!

Cute Card Thursday #37 - Snowflakes

We're going all cold this week on Cute Card Thursday with the theme of "Snowflakes" - plus there is a wonderful stamp to be won from Whiff of Joy. Pop on over to the CCT blog for details and to check out the wonderful creations from the Design Team.

Poor Tilda is rather cold! I've coloured her with Promarkers and Stickles then I went a bit bonkers with the Cuttlebug embossing folders and the snowflake punch!! The sentiment is a Whispers stamp triple embossed with clear powder over Midnight Blue Brilliance ink.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges - Time to Decorate!

This week on Tilda & Friends ATC Challenges it's "Time to Decorate" and we have a brand new stamp - "Tilda with Presents" to give away to one lucky entrant. All we ask is that you make an ATC with the theme of Christmas decorations .. .. you could include a little tinsel or stamp a few baubles. This week you don't have to include a 'person' either - your ATC could just show a decorated tree or perhaps some Christmas candles .. .. it's up to you! We would ask that you keep it cute and if you are going to include a 'person' then you make it one of the cute round faced images. Take a look at the Design Team's creations on the blog for some inspirational ideas.

This lovely Cuddly Buddly Santa has been coloured with Promarkers and decorated with fun flock. He was holding a Christmas list but I cut this off so he can decorate this fabby Paper Artsy Squiggly Ink tree. I have used Stickles glitter glue to add some tinsel and punched out small gold circles for baubles. A punched gold border and little bell embellishment finish him off.

Don't forget to join in the fun this week and you could win that lovely new stamp!

Rainbow Lady Challenge #39 - Things with Wings & DCM - Birds

Okay I have to confess to having made this card for a very special friend some time ago but I have been keeping it for such an occasion as this - it fits two of my favourite challenges, that is Daring Cardmakers and Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog! As I have nothing else I can show you I thought I would share it now.

The stamp is by Crafty Individuals and I have stamped it onto card made using Distress Inks before adding little touches and bits and pieces to finish it off.

I hope to get some crafting done tomorrow other than making candles for the Craft Fair!

WINNER!

Well - I put the names in a hat and DS drew out Vicki!! Congratulations Vicki - if you e-mail me your snail mail I'll send Christmas Maggie winging her way to you.

Thanks again to Sugar Nellie for their very generous candy!

Sweet Sugar Candy!

THIS POST WILL STAY AT THE TOP UNTIL MONDAY NIGHT

I was lucky enough to win some candy for guessing the most popular character stamp from the wonderful Sugar Nellie - THREE gorgeous stamps! I actually don't have two of them (DH was MOST surprised!), but I did have the third one - the fabulous Christmas Maggie.

Anyway it wouldn't be right just to keep her so I would love to share my good fortune. Leave a comment on THIS post before 8pm this Monday 17th November telling me who your favourite Sugar Nellie character is and why and I will randomly draw a winner. It's as simple as that!

Cute Card Thursday #36 - Red & Green

We're going all Christmassy again this week on Cute Card Thursday with our theme of "Red and Green".

This is a Spiral Whisper stamp coloured with Sakura pens, chalks and Promarkers. I've used Basic Grey Wassail paper, some Prima flowers with brads and bits to finish it off. The sentiment is from an ATC paper pad and I coloured it with chalks and Sakura Christmas Green pen. It's a really bad photo but I tried for 3 days to get a better one without success - sometimes they just don't wanna be on film!

Award!

Thanks so much to Annie and Jo (she of the Fairy Mad) for this award.

Now - you know what's coming don't you? I am supposed to pass this onto 5 people but everyone else seems to already have it so if you don't then it's YOURS in all your fabulousness!!