** Happy New Year **

To Friends Old and New

Luv'n'Stuff
Max & Family

xx

Oh Poop!

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Day and I reckon Santa and Rudolph must've had to bring an extra sleigh to carry the piles of presents that were in our living room on Christmas morning!
Usually I video the kids opening their parcels, but this year I decided to get the digital camera out and take snapshots for a change. It's only a simple point and press camera, nothing complicated ... 'cos I don't do complicated ... so what could possibly go wrong?
Well LOOK!
I must've pressed a button without realising somewhere, sometime, somehow ... and as a result every single photo is 'ghosted' or shadowed or blurry.
They look a little spooky to me actually.

I'm really quite upset as I'd intended making a scrapbook for hubby with some of them as he missed out on all the excitement due to work.
Sorry I'm such a 'numpty' babe!

However ... all is not completely lost as he's due home later today (Monday) and as I kept a few extra presents aside for the kiddlings to open with him it means I get a 2nd chance. So while it won't be quite the same I'll hopefully manage to capture some decent piccies and redeem myself.
We're also going to have Christmas Dinner all over again ... whoo hoo! ... and maybe this time we'll get further than the starter and main course before surrendering to feeling stuffed!
Think I may've been a touch over zealous with the menu first time round as no one wanted any Christmas pudding ... or chocolate dessert ... or mince pies ... or cheese and biscuits ... or coffee and mints.

*********************************************
We were invited to my sister's on Saturday evening and we shared a super meal with my sister and niece before indulging in a little "after dinner Wii~ing!"

What a hoot!As you can see from these photos ... taken with the same camera ... there's no ghosting this time ... even though I hadn't changed any camera settings, as I didn't realise there was a problem until I uploaded them all.
Now THAT'S spooky!!
Hope you all enjoyed a fabulous Christmas, wherever you were and whatever you were doing.

Christmas Eve

It's Wednesday ... it's "silly o'clock" ... I haven't been to bed ... and it's Christmas Eve !
Already!!!
I'm really not ready at all and kind've wish I could just stop the clock and rewind a few days ... or maybe a week ... or maybe a couple of weeks would be better ... to give me a chance to get cards posted and presents wrapped. The tree is still in the attic for goodness sake!!!
Don't ask me what's going on 'cos I haven't got a 'scooby~doo' ... I've never EVER been so laxadaisical about Xmas in my life before. If I could just have more time ... PWETTY PLEASE.
OK ...I know it ain't going to happen no matter how hard I wish, so I'll just have to make do and everyone will just have to bear with me.

Oh ... by the way, I forgot to show the final card in the order for Naomi's riding instructor the other day ... so here it is.

Now I'd better get some shut eye before Naomi wakes and wants taking up to the farm.

In case I don't get another chance, may I just wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and may you all enjoy a Fun~Filled Festive Season xxx

A Lovely Award

It's been a bit mad here in my world recently what with Christmas and other stuff to deal with. I've missed my online friends big muchness ... so imagine how happy I was when I saw this lovely award had been given to me by Jackie over at Jackie's Crafts.

It fair cheered me up so thank you Jackie.

The rules for receiving this award are :

1. Add the logo to your blog.

2. Link to the person from whom you received this award.

3. Nominate 7 or more blogs.

4. Leave a message on their blog, letting them know they are “One Lovely Blog”!

I usually cop out of nominating blogs for awards on the grounds that it's too hard to choose. I hope I'll be forgiven for staying true to form and being cowardly once again.

Visitors and followers of my wee corner of Blogland are welcome to take this award and display it on their own wee space should you wish to.

Fabulous Blog Award

I was so chuffed to receive this award from my crafty friend Irene at All Occasions Cards.

The rules are:

* To link this award to whoever gave it to you

* To nominate 5 blogging friends, leaving a message on their blog.

* To write down 5 addictions.

As you will know by now, I always struggle with the nomination part of these awards because there are too many wonderfully inspirational blogs out there ... so I would like to offer this award to my faithful followers who pop by and post messages of encouragement for which I am always very grateful.

My 5 addictions are ...

* Papercrafting ... of course.

* Coffee ... I'm a total coffeeholic.

* Blog Browsing.

* My Family ... who have always been so supportive and understanding.

* Nicotine ... yes I'm one of the disgusting lepers that blight the land ... I know, I know!

Still At It

Yep ... am still popping out Chrimbo' cards in a vain attempt to minimise the shop bought cards I'm going to be sending this year.

I should just give in I know ... but I feel like that's cheating and feel soooooo guilty for it, but what can a girl do?

The Brother & Sister-In-Law card is part of an order for a friend.

Winter Birds

My daughter's riding instructor asked if I would make her a special card for her mother for Christmas so I thought I'd better get a shift on before it's too late.

I also made a couple to add to my general Xmas card box but goodness only knows when I'll get a chance to write them, far less send them to anyone. There's always next year!!

Stop the bus!! ... I wanna' get off !!

These gorgeous Inkadinkadoo stamps are from the Winter Birds Collection and the detail in them is absolutely beautiful.

As usual my photos leave a lot to be desired but you'll get the idea.

I used gold and silver embossing powders but they would look equally stunning just as black silhouettes.

If I had dug them out earlier then I may well have managed to make enough cards for everyone this year as they really need little else added to make a lovely card.

Black 'n' White Christmas

Had a wee production line going and made a few of these cards the other night because they were quick and easy, which is just about all I can manage right now.

Just need a stamp ( I used Paperartsy Special Christmas collection) ... some silver embossing powder ... Anita's Classic Collection Christmassy paper ... and some Anita's text ribbon.

Bish ... Bash ... Bosh ... job's a good'un.

Also had a play with the Pearl Pens (mentioned in an earlier post) to add baubles to this tree which was clear embossed onto burgundy cardstock.

I like these pens ... A LOT!

Guess What ...??

I've won a super~dooper prize for one of my cards!

Let's Make Cards magazine ran a competition where we had to submit a card for World Card Making Day using just the supplies from the LMC Issue 18 Vintage Kit.

I posted off my card back in September/October and as time went by presumed I'd been unsuccessful.

So you can imagine how delighted, surprised and shocked I was to received a PM on the forum the other day to tell me I had been selected as one of the 9 lucky winners and loads of crafty stash is winging it's way to lickle ol' me. I understand that all the winning cards are featured in this month's LMC magazine ... is that exciting or what?

Will have to make sure I get a copy first thing tomorrow when it hits the shelves so I can show hubby when he gets home in case he thinks I've been spending again.

Just goes to show that it's always worth having a go.

Now ... if I could just be as lucky with the National Lottery ... hahahahaha !!

Show'n'Tell'n'Other Stuff

I didn't manage any blogging yesterday because I was too busy "pootling" between the kitchen (making a cauldron of soup LOL) and the craft room.

By the time I'd finished everything, I was plum tuckered out!
Here's some of what I was "pootling" with.

*First in my 'Show'n'Tell Parade is a cosy, somewhat fluffy crocheted hat ... yes folks I've dug out the crochet hooks and this is one of 3 little hats I've made recently!

The other 2 were snatched and grabbed by friends before I managed a photo but I don't blame them as it's fffffffff...freezing out there.

*Next up are some Dufex decoupage Xmas cards.

Not really my thing but they'll serve a purpose and it's another 3 less cards I have to buy.

*Continuing the Christmas card theme, here is another card but this time in the Country Kitchen style.

Not sure about that one either.

*Now these little beauties are something I discovered when I was gormlessly gazing around while waiting, (not particularly patiently), in a queue to pay for some ribbon ... and I just had to have them.

They distracted me from the blatant incompetence of the person supposedly in charge of the till and by the time it got to my turn, they had jumped into my basket.
I did a wee test to see what they were like ... and I am very impressed.

All you have to do is squeeze the tube and out drops a pearl. Leave it to dry and there you go ... what's more they can be applied to fabric and can be washed at 30 degrees.

So it may be that I NEED to go back for the other colours just so's I have the complete set.

*Finally ... a bargain buy!

I went to a clothes sale with my MIL recently and spotted this lovely velvet denim skirt. Thought it'd look nice with my tan leather chunky heeled boots and was delighted to find it was at a knockdown price of a fiver.

Even with the credit crunch I could afford that.

Couldn't believe it when I checked the label and saw the original price !!




Check this out .....

.... so this will probably be hailed as my bargain of 2008 !

With Love At Christmas

Here are a couple more cards for Christmas ... which sadly will not make much of a dent in the outstanding list but it's 2 more that won't be shop bought so that's something.

The reindeer silhouette and the stamped message are from a set of Anita's clear stamps called Christmas Classics and the background papers are from the Anita's Christmas Blues collection.

I think they may well be pulled out every year as I love them so much ... what us crafters might call an investment huh??

I used black embossing powder (which is not showing at all in the photograph) and added a few blue gems to the antlers. A couple of silver snowflakes and a little bow just help to make it more Christmassy.

Using the same sentiment on the gold mirri card ... don't you just lurrrrve that font ... I added some doublesided paper borders which were ready cut and just needed folded and an organza ribbon bow, finishing with some little green adhesive gems from Dovecraft.

Doesn't get much easier than that does it?

Frosty and Rudi

I bought some gorgeous Christmas stamps ages ago and have been desperate to have a play with them but something always managed to get in the way.

So I gave myself a wee treat this afternoon while the creative urge was with me ...

... and as an extra bonus I got out the embossing powders and glitter too!

I've been a little selfish today

and will probably have to spend tomorrow doing some chores to make up for it ... but hey ho ... why not?

Blitzen Cards

I found time this morning to make another couple of Christmas cards ... don't faint!

The Blitzen In A Blizzard stamp is one I bought from a sale bin several weeks ago when out and about with my wee friend Maggie 50 and it made me smile, but this is the first chance I've had to play with it.

I stamped with white ink on black card and then added white embossing powder before heating with a heat gun.

The background card is from DCWV "All Dressed Up" stack and the message is from a Serendipity Christmas stamp set. Not quite sure what went wrong with the silver glitter ... it went a wee bit runny and spreadable.

Talking about blizzards ... we were forecast a severe weather warning for last night and Naomi was really looking forward to the promised whiteout !

Instead we got the Big Thaw LOL!

One day they'll get it right.

Best Shoes Award

Last weekend the team at Crafts Beautiful forum hosted a fabulous online Christmas Party which was thoroughly enjoyed by all members. There were lots of competitions with superb prizes up for grabs and some really good online games.

As usual my weekend was pretty busy so online time was limited, but I did manage to join in some of the funstuff and was awarded this certificate by the CB team ...

.... and these are the award winning sparklies which have been worn by me at some point, every year for the last 15 years.

Aren't they just the most "blingy-liciously blingy" boots?

Naomi's Creation

I have been too busy to do any crafting this week, but Naomi wanted to make a card for her friend at school ... whose name also happens to be Naomi ... and I was once again very impressed with what she created.
I have some serious competition methinks!
The stamp is "Cuddly Buddly Charley with Willow" and was a surprise gift from a special online friend Jules.
She coloured it with my Whispers Brush Markers and then mounted it onto turquoise and brown card from my stash, which was cut with scalloped scissors.
The base card and the letter stickers came from a DCWV card kit.
I have no doubt that her schoolfriend is going to be delighted when she receives this beauty.

Blog Candy Alert!

My friend Jude from Crafts International is celebrating 3000 hits and has some luvverly blog candy up for grabs which looks really scrummylicious.

I'm hoping that you'll all be far too busy with your Christmas preparations to add your name to the list which will be brilliant for me 'cos I'll have a better chance of winning LOL!

New Header

Thought I'd get into the spirit of Chrimbo' and pop some decorations up. OK ... a decoration LOL!
Many thanks to Martine at Blogskin Boutique who allows use of her Headers and Blogskins ... she has a few more colour options on offer and all for free. Just let her know if you're using one of her creations so she can pop by to see it.

Another Award

I feel very privileged to have been given this pretty award by three of my blogger buddies.

Thank you so much Chris, Ann and Irene.

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!

These blogs are exceedingly charming.

These kind blogger's aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.

Please give more attention to these writers! "

The following people are all more than worthy of my nomination and I hope they will accept this award in return for the friendship and kindness they have shown to me combined with the inspiration they offer to others by sharing their wonderful creativity.

Tiggertastic

Rachel

Martine

Lauren

Natalie

PinkPuppy

Special Friends

There are some very special people in the world ... and I am blessed to know a few of them.

Yesterday I was all alone in the house doing the latest batch of card orders and, to be honest, was feeling a little bit lonely and a lot fed up.

Naomi was at school and hubby was yet again in Aberdeen on yet another 2 day course, so the house was really quiet.

The doorbell rang and I was surprised to be handed a box and just look what was inside ...

Thank you Joyce ... your kind gift really cheered me up just when I needed it.

There's A Moose Loose Aboot This House!

I took some time off from card orders to have a little play on Saturday afternoon.

After doing over 100 cards and boxes for work I reckon I deserved a wee break.

My good friend Maggie50, from CB forum, recently stamped me a couple of wee Crafter's Companion 'meeces' and also kindly gave me some of the matching backing papers that she had already decoupaged ... ('cos she knows I haven't the patience for it) ... cheers Maggie!

So I coloured them with Whispers Brush Markers and popped them where I thought they should go on the papers.

Naomi's colouring skills are evident on the handsome chappie in green.

Went a bit mad with the Glistening Snow Writer at first, but hey ... we all love a bit of winter sparkle, (and in fairness it wasn't properly dry in the first photo, so the white glue looks quite obvious).

The 2nd photograph shows much better how wonderful it looks when it is fully dry ... all twinkly and sparkly.

Anyway, I think I have perfected the technique now so future efforts should be much less "splodgy".

The day after I got these wee 'meeces' I received the same ones as a freebie from a magazine offer, so now I can stamp and colour these cuties to my hearts content.

Sally's Stamp Giveaway! Day 12

Am posting this now as I have another busy weekend ahead and I just know I'm probably going to miss a couple of days.

Sally's stamp giveaway over at Bootiful Stampz is on Day 12 already.
She is offering one lucky visitor a free stamp EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the comment list and post her link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp. It's getting busier by the day and there's only 9 days left ... so hurry hurry!!

** UPDATE**
I won Day 11 draw ... how cool is that?

Sally's Stamp Giveaway! Day 11

Oooooh My Giddy Aunt!
Almost missed Day 11 ... where does the time go?

Sally's stamp giveaway over at Bootiful Stampz is still running.
She is offering one lucky visitor a free stamp EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the comment list and post her link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp.
You've got to be 'Innit To Winnit'.

Sally's Stamp Giveaway! Day 10

Just a quick flyby today but can't pass without reminding you all about Sally's amazingly kind giveaway over at Bootiful Stampz

She is offering one lucky visitor a free stamp EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the comment list and post her link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp.
I keep hoping and keep trying and so should you.

Sally's Stamp Giveaway! Day 9

Oh Poop!
I missed Day 8 ... but never mind today's another day and another chance to win.

Sally over at Bootiful Stampz is offering a free stamp EVERY DAY ... yes I'll repeat that ... EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the comment list and post her link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp.
Here's hoping!!

Sally's Stamp Giveaway! Day 7

Another day ... another chance to win.
Gosh Sally has been running her Stamp Giveaway for a week now, doesn't time fly when you're having fun?

Sally over at Bootiful Stampz is offering a free stamp EVERY DAY ... yes I'll repeat that ... EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the comment list and post her link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp.

Fingers are crossed that between now and the end of the month I'll get lucky and be picked as a winner ... you've got to be 'innit to winnit.

Revealed

I recently posted a 'Sneaky Peek' and I can now reveal the whole card as it was safely delivered last week ... better late than never.

Lovely K. & Co. papers and letter tiles, scalloped edges and a touch of ribbon helped to make this pretty card for my good friend and fellow blogger Tiggertastic.
Her gift was a photo cube kit which I know she will enjoy making, although she may prefer to use prettier papers than those included with the kit.
She had already told me that she was getting a new sewing machine for her birthday, so I sent her a bundle of fabric to play around with, not for her birthday ... just to get her started.
I know she'll make better use of it than me as my machine only ever sees the light of day when hubby needs to turn up his jeans.

Sally's Stamp Giveaway! Day 6

Hooray ... I managed 2 days in a row! Still plenty of chances to win a free stamp from Sally at Bootiful Stampz

She is very kindly offering everyone the chance to win a free stamp EVERY DAY ... yes I'll repeat that ... EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the list and post her blog link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp a day.
You'd be daft to miss it really.

Sally's Stamp Giveaway! Day 5

Once again I have missed a day ... I ask you where does the time go? ... so am definitely making sure I'm in for today's draw.
Here are the details in case you missed them earlier.

Sally over at Bootiful Stampz is offering a free stamp EVERY DAY ... yes I'll repeat that ... EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the list and post her link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp a day.

Sally's Stamp Giveaway! Day 3

Well not quite sure what happened yesterday but I didn't get around to blogging ... and so missed Day 2 of the free stamp giveaway.
However I'm going to do my best to make sure that doesn't happen again.
It's Day 3
Sally over at Bootiful Stampz is offering a free stamp EVERY DAY ... yes I'll repeat that ... EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the list and post her link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp a day.
How generous is that?
Maybe if I join in I'll get lucky ... like one of my friends did yesterday.
By the way Ann ... you needed a new stamp like you need a hole in the head ... but well done anyway.

Sally's Stamp Giveaway!

Pre ~ Christmas Madness or what? ... well I don't know what's going on but what I do know is that you should get yourself over to Sally's blog 'cos Santa has come early!!
Sally over at Bootiful Stampz is offering a free stamp EVERY DAY ... yes I'll repeat that ... EVERY DAY until the end of November!
All you have to do is add your name to the list and post her link on your blog every day to go in the daily draw and qualify for a chance to win a stamp a day. That's some kind've blog candy and I'm in!
So what are hanging around for ??

Manic Monday!

Seems like I'm destined to get no work done today.
Why is it when you really need to get your head down and put on a productive spurt, that's when the naughty little Gremlins and their partners in crime are deermined to throw a spanner in the works?

It's been a morning of constant interruptions ... phone calls, deliveries, more phone calls ... another delivery .... arrrrrrgggggghhhhh! Wouldn't be so bad but none of them were for me!
Then when I finally got as far as getting the paper out, the paper trimmer disintegrated ... fell to bits with the first swipe!
So not a good start to the week and I've achieved 'diddly squat' today ... but it's almost lunchtime so will try again after I've filled my face with something tasty.
Then I think I'll unplug the phone and ignore the doorbell for the rest of the day.
Now .... where will I get a decent paper trimmer?

Grab'n'Go

I decided to take a break from the Xmas card orders and make another couple of cards for the Grab'n'Go box.

Again I used the Papermania Spring Life paper stack and added no greeting for the moment as it makes them more versatile.

Really like the yellow, blue and brown colour combination as it looks so fresh.

Scallop punches and a piercing tool add a touch of detail to textured blue card.

Thank You Card

While the router in the attic was having a hissy fit, making it impossible to get online, I made a wee 'Thank You' for my MSN buddy Carole who did me a huge favour last week.

Nothing too fancy ... just a wee show of appreciation.
As you can see I'm still enjoying using the scallop punch but also tried making a larger scallop using a mini circle punch and placing the punched shapes behind a circle of scrap card. Not too sure whether mirri card was the right choice but the technique is going to be handy, especially if you want a scalloped edge on an irregular shape.

Bursting With Pride

Have just got to tell you all ...

Despite the bowling disappointment at the weekend it turns out that things were not as bad as we thought. Naomi and her doubles partner actually scooped the Gold Medals on Sunday! So everyone else must've been playing badly too ... needless to say she is absolutely delighted and is smiling once more!

However, the icing on the cake is that we found out last night that our wee Naomi (and her fellow teammate Nicola who is only 12!) have both made the U16's Scottish Squad 2009 .... WHOO HOO!!!!
Not only did she make the Top 10 (which is what she wanted to achieve), but her final ranking place was 6th!!
Everyone is so chuffed for her ... can't wait for hubby to call so she can tell him.
She will have to formally accept her place and then will begin training with the top UK coaches with the opportunity to represent Scotland in International events next year.
I'm so proud I think I'm going to burst!


Here's her Congratulations card ... it was the least I could do.

A Wee Flurry & Other Stuff

It's been another busy week with lots of tail chasing going on in an effort to complete the 1st batch of Xmas card orders for my boss.
There are 60 completed cards so far and I have an order for another 20 to fill. I really enjoy making them but being gate fold cards, they are quite time consuming to make, especially as they all need gold or silver tissue lined boxes.
Needless to say the floor space comes in handy when I have a batch of boxes and lids piled up waiting for the glue to dry.
(A wee tip I have learned is not to stack them too high or the ones on the bottom buckle!)

I wonder whether it was wise to offer 9 different patterns ... hmmmmm .... hindsight is a wonderful thing and maybe in future I should offer a more limited choice.

Monday of last week was a nightmare for my wee girl as she was up all night being violently ill. Not sure if it was a 24 hour tummy bug or food poisoning ... not my cooking I hasten to add! The house smelled strongly of bleach and Dettol all day Tuesday and I was tripping round like a half shut knife all day! By Thursday she was bright as a button again ... aren't kids powers of recovery amazing?

Today was spent at Hollywood Bowl at Bargeddie, near Glasgow, where Naomi was ten pin bowling in the final Ranking Tournament of the season. Unfortunately, she didn't play very well and was too upset to stay for the presentation. She's always been very competitive and consequently too hard on herself sometimes. Hopefully her previous tournament scores will be enough to keep her in the Top 10, which will mean she may get an opportunity to play for Scotland in the U16's Scottish Squad 2009 ... but if not then there's always next year as she is only 13. Will let you know when the final rankings are announced.

I did manage a little crafting other than the Xmas orders in the form of a birthday card for a very special friend (but as I know she reads my blog I can't show that yet) ... sorry!

I can offer a wee sneaky peek though and when the card is safely delivered I shall do a full reveal.

Something I can show in it's entirety, is a little pack of cards I made for the 'Grab'n'Go box.

I haven't added sentiments on them yet but an appropriate message can be popped on as I use them.

The papers are from the Papermania Spring Life stack .... yes I know it's Autumn now but hey ho ... they're pretty and I like them.

For those who managed to read this far ... 'Thank You for persevering' ... hope I haven't bored you witless with my ramblings.