Saturday 29 March 2008

Stash Storage

I am pleased to be able to reveal the results of my very talented hubby's efforts in making a storage unit for my paper stash. He has actually made 2 of them but the other one is still waiting for it's 2nd coat of varnish.

Here it is in it's 'naked' state ... and the next photo has some of my boxes in it. Isn't he just brilliant???

Thank you Jimi ... you are so good to me and I luv ya' loads xx



Not sure how he'll react when I tell him I need at least another 6 of them LOL!

Good Luck / New Home Card

I was visiting Nicola's blog earlier, (CB'ers know her as Enjay), because she mentioned she had been 'doodling' and kindly invited members to have a play with what she had doodled. Not being one to resist a freebie LOL ... I saved her image and had a play with it this afternoon.

The result is a Good Luck In Your New Home card. The colouring was done with ordinary felt pens and the pretty Spring paper used for the background, came free with a craft magazine (in 2006 I think LOL!).
Hope she likes it! I used chalk to add a bit of colour where I didn't use felt pens but it isn't very clear in the photo.
If you'd like to have a play too then pop over to her blog, ECP and leave her a message saying you have taken a copy ... please do her the courtesy of adding her copyright and let her see what you make when you're finished by leaving a link.

Thanks for letting me play Nicola.

Exciting Week!

Regular visitors and my friends at the Crafts Beautiful forum will already know that I have had the most amazingly exciting week with lots of luvverly goodies falling through my door. Just look for my RAK posts to see what I mean.

So you can imagine how delighted I was to discover that I have been awarded the MOTM (Member of the Month) at Crafts Beautiful too! What a week this has been!! There are so many wonderful members over there who are all equally worthy of being selected so I don't need to tell you how good I feel right now. Thanks to everyone at CB for your lovely messages of congratulations ... you are all such treasures and I'm so lucky to have found you.

So more gorgeous stash is heading my way and I'll post piccies as soon as it arrives ... can't wait LOL!

Friday 28 March 2008

File Tab Card

Had a little play today with some papers and embellishments out of the Floral Cardmaker's Ultimate Pack by Hot Off The Press. I really like these packs because they have everything in them except the card blanks and the sticky stuff ... but most importantly, everything matches perfectly so it's a 'no brainer' for selection of your bits and bobs. There are even project ideas for when you have paralysis of the brain like I had today.

I decided to have a bash at a File Tab card ... or at least my version of one .... as I've never made one before. Quite pleased with the finished result but definitely learned a few lessons along the way. I bought a corner rounder punch on Monday and am using it to death at the moment, (as if you hadn't noticed) ... can't believe how easy it is to use and as it instantly removes any shabby edges, the finished card looks much nicer. Definitely a wise investment and one of my better buys.

Hope to have a play later with some of the Oriental goodies I have received this week from my friends at CB.

**UPDATE**
This card was the one I sent to Sequin for her birthday at the weekend.

Thursday 27 March 2008

3 RAK's Today

I have got to be having the most amazing week of all time. The postie arrived this morning bearing yet more RAK gifts from my CB friends. And when they were opened they revealed so many beautiful things I'm afraid I had a 'Niagara Moment' ... quite a long one too!

Glitzzy had sent a bumper bundle of oriental goodies, far too many to mention individually but one item in particular was a gorgeous keyring which has a quartz stone encased in a metal spiral globe. Needless to say it is hanging from my car keys already. Thank you Glitzzy ... I will enjoy playing with them all and you may find you and Zheena are responsible for another addiction LOL.

The 2nd RAK was from a very special lady Jules, from Creative Makes. She sent my daughter and I a pony card ... knowing how horse mad my little girl is ... but, more than that, she also included the actual Cuddly Buddly stamp for us to play with! Isn't that a wonderfully kind thing to do? Thank you so much Jules ... we'll have to have a rota for using it I think.

That was when my eyes started to leak.

So by the time I came to open the 3rd RAK, which was from Queenie ... well that was when Niagara started flowing with a vengeance. The envelope revealed a box ... beautifully decorated in friendship papers and a little twiggy heart.

Inside the box was an accordian Friendship Book ... and I can't tell you how gorgeous it is in real life but take a look at the photo ... isn't it amazing?












I have got to be the luckiest lady ever to have such wonderful, kind and generous friends. Thank you all so very, very much.

Wednesday 26 March 2008

Golden Wedding Anniversary Card

On Monday evening, I was asked by one of my neighbours to make an Anniversary card for a couple celebrating their Golden Wedding. She has bought some general greetings cards from me in the past and as she hadn't seen anything in the shops that she liked ... well ... not at a price she was willing to pay, she asked me to 'do something'.
I have to tell you that is quite a scary thing for someone like me, who is not entirely confident that what I actually do 'DO' will be what they WANT me to do.

Here is what I came up with ... and she absolutely loved it so Job Done and I feel good!

RAK ... Random Act of Kindness

Several members of the Crafts Beautiful forum have got together and exchanged names and addresses for a variety of different reasons. There are ATC swaps, a Birthday Club, A scrapbook Journal Circle and others too ... I'm sure you get the picture.

Anyway, one of the lists is compiled of members who wanted to join a RAK list and for those who don't know, I shall explain how it works.

The objective is purely and simply to bring a smile to someone else's face, by sending them something through the post. There doesn't have to be a reason (other than you simply want to), there are no deadlines to stick to and no pressure because you just send whatever you like ... to whomever you like ... whenever you feel like doing so ... by it's very definition it is a Random Act of Kindness.

There has been a bit of RAK fever over the last few weeks ... especially as it is a newish thing ... so we are all sending goodies to each other like mad LOL. There have been some lovely gifts being sent and this week I have received more than my fair share in the post. It's a fabby idea and it really does get your day off to a good start. Try it ... you'll enjoy the feeling I promise.

So here are the RAK's I have received this week ... thanks Maggie50, Zheena, Silvercustard and Emily13 ... you have brightened my week already and it's only halfway.

Saturday 22 March 2008

Another Award

Oh My Giddy Aunt ... I have been the lucky recipient of another award. This time it was Martine from The Craft Table who selected me. Thanks Martine ... not sure I'm worthy but your confidence is very much appreciated.

I am still playing catchup with the 'Make My Day' awards. Problem is I don't want to overload or overwhelm my fellow bloggers and it is very difficult not to duplicate awards.

The "Arte Y Pico" (Art & More) is given to bloggers who share their art and creativity making their contribution to the blogger world.

The Rules
* You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.

* Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

* Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

* Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.

* To show these rules.

So forgive me for being cowardly but I will give this award to anyone who visits my blog and takes the time to leave a comment. I will get around to visiting you in return and leaving a message for you too ... I promise.

Busy Day

Have a had a busy and productive day so far today ... at least in the craft department ... tee hee.
So thought I'd let you see what I have been up to ...
First some baby cards ... don'tcha' just love babies??































One of the baby girl cards will be heading to Natalie (Sequin) from the CB forum, who has just given birth to a bonnie baby girl called Ava Brook.

Isn't that a lovely name?
Following on from that fantastic announcement, I made her son Josh a wee card so's he would know how special it is to be a Big Brother !

I shall pop them both through her letterbox later today, as she lives close by.

I used some of the yellow gingham paper from the Let's Make Cards Kit (Issue 13) for the borders which I tore, inking the edges and sticking them to the top and bottom of the green card blank, also from the same kit.

Then I stamped the words Big and Day on yellow card, with blue and green mini ink daubers, before mounting it with foam pads ... finally adding some silver peel off stars and alphabet letters for his name.

My final project for today ... so far ... was to make something for one of the CB challenges. I always intend to join in but somehow never quite get around to it before the cut off date. So here is the card I will be entering.

It is a T~shirt card made using the papers and embellishments from the LMC kit (Issue 13). The only thing I have added from my stash, is a teeny weeny bit of pink glitter to the centre of the flowers.

Friday 21 March 2008

Pay It Forward Blog Candy Winners

The time has come to announce the winners of the promised Pay It Forward prizes. Now as a fairly new blogger I have done a bit of research (by poking around other blogs) to make sure I follow the PIF rules of play and have discovered that there are actually no hard and fast rules.
Some bloggers offer prizes to the first 3 replies posted and others do a lucky dip selection ... so I think on this occasion I will opt for the latter and do a lucky dip. Hope that is acceptable and forgive me if I have breached 'Netiquette'.

Soooooooooo ... the 3 winners names pulled out of the hat are .........

* Former Blonde *
* Summer By The Sea *
* Danemi1 *
Please e~mail me with your names and addresses and I'll send out your prizes ASAP.
My E~Mail address can be found at the bottom of the Important Information Section on the right hand side.

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone for joining in.

Wednesday 19 March 2008

"You Make My Day"

Seems like this is my lucky week !
Not only have I already won blog candy, but I have been honoured with, not one, but two "You Make My Day" Awards! Isn't that great?

One was awarded to me by TwiggyPeaSticks ... and the other one came from Tassie ... both are members of the wonderful CB forum and have fabby blogs of their own where I linger regularly. I would like to thank you both very much for including me in your award lists.

Now, as previously, I have to nominate other people who 'Make My Day' and you will have to bear with me while I compile my list. I suppose in theory, as I have won 2 awards, I should really nominate 20 others but I am only going to do 10.

Partly because I need to check that none of my award nominations is duplicated by someone else, as I still have a very limited circle of bloggy friends. I confess that I do a lot of 'blog browsing' but I'm not brave enough to always leave a comment LOL and these 'bloggers' may not appreciate being awarded something from someone who is essentially a complete stranger. So I shall do a "Will I? ... Won't I?" battle with myself over this one.

The other reason for choosing to do 10 rather than 20, is purely and simply down to lack of time. So many of the 'blogs' I visit and admire have been stumbled across via links discovered in the labyrinth that is blogland and am not sure I will ever be able to find them again. I really should pay more attention.

Will update this post when I return from Edinburgh or, if I am home late, it may be tomorrow. Thanks again ladies ... I feel privileged and honoured to know you and it goes without saying, you have both 'Made My Day' too.


**UPDATE** 20th March 12.10pm

It would seem that not everyone is particularly pleased at the thought of a "You Make My Day" award. Just received a rather unsavoury e~mail from someone whose blog I visit ... but rest assured I won't be back there again. I was tempted to name and shame but that would be petty. I may have to play safe and reduce my list of awardees to those I know and love ... either that or toughen up a bit!


**FINAL UPDATE 23rd March **

Allrighty ... I have decided on my list of 10 and here they are ...

*Former Blonde ... a relative newcomer to blogland ... go and say hello and offer encouragement. there is definitely untapped creativity in that lady.

*Silvercustard ... guaranteed to make you smile and brighten up your day.

* Doodles and Scraps of Me ... Jane is a very talented lady and very encouraging too. Thank you Jane for all your kind words.

* Hermumbles ... aka Ana ~ a fellow CB member, who always makes me smile with the things she writes.

* Altered (T)Art and Stuff ... if you want to try something a little different then check this blog out. Awesome artwork and definitely worth a visit. You won't be sorry.

*Scrapbooking For The Soul ... Steph is a scrapbooker who has recently qualified as a Craft~Ed consultant. Visit her blog and discover some amazing words to add to your vocabulary LOL and also see some lovely creations

*Ana Baird ... ! recently visited and was blown away by the beatiful creations on display there,

*Distinctly Daisy ... another CB member whose talent needs recognition.

* Tales From The Craft Box ... you just have got to visit here ... I guarantee you will leave with a smile on your face.

* Fun Times ... Kim's fabby blog where she shows off some beautiful creations. Were that I was so talented.

I hope you will visit my nominated blogs and at least say 'Hi' to some very talented crafters ... they will apprecuate your efforts and you will benefit from visiting them.

Monday 17 March 2008

'Pay It Forward' Blog Candy

This morning I had a message from a fellow crafter SewDelish to say I had been awarded some 'Blog Candy' so I rushed over to her blog with my address details and can't wait to see what she will send. I love surprises!

If I have understood correctly, when I receive my prize I have to 'Pay It Forward' to 3 others and brighten up their day too ... isn't that a fabby idea? So just leave a comment below ... and on Friday I will announce 3 winners. Now I need to go and organise some prizes ready to send.

Watch this space!

Sunday 16 March 2008

'Lickle Baa Lamb'

One of the very many talented members over at CB kindly gave permission for us to have a play with a little lamb she drew.
The lady's name is Martine and you should really pop over to see her blog ... The Craft Table ... where you will find lots of lovely inspiration and where you can see her original blank doodle (her words not mine).




Anyway, here is what I did with her cute little baa lamb.

I took the liberty of adding her copyright to the image so's to ensure that she gets the credit for creating this cute character.

Thanks for letting me play Martine.


As a wee 'Thank EWE' ... sorry couldn't resist LOL ... I had a play in PSP, (Paint Shop Pro), this afternoon made a little Good Morning .gif for Martine to use for signing in to her groups and/or forums. Don't know why but her name doesn't appear to be sparkling here although it does on my PC. Never mind you get the gist.


*UPDATE* 20th MarchI sent Martine the EWE card I made and included a wee RAK (Random Act of Kindness) ... thanks for the lovely comments you wrote about it on your blog.

Easter Cards

This weekend a friend asked if I would make a couple of 'Mum' Easter cards. As I have never met her mum, nor indeed her partner's mum I just did a little selection and can only hope she likes them ... may have another dabble later on and see what else I can come up with so she at least has a semi decent choice.



I think so far my favourites are #1 and #2 ... but that may well change.



Tuesday 11 March 2008

Here Is A Box!

"Here is a Box ...
A Musical Box ...
Wound Up and Ready To Play"


...... naaaaaahhhhhh .... not really LOL!
Ok ... who knows what lines come next?

You're showing your age! Hahahahahahaha ....

"Well This Box Can Hide A Secret Inside.
Can You Guess What Is In It Today?"
Ok enough games ... I made an exploding box (as if you hadn't guessed) using the PM Retro Floral paper pad. There are lovely fresh spring colours in this pack and I think they would be perfect for a Springtime occasion. I didn't make it for any other reason than I haven't attempted one before.
Again ... I confess there were a few mistakes along the way ... rulers and I have never got on ... but overall I am pleased with the results.



Hidden inside is a sweet smelling pot pourri egg, which I made by glueing rose scented pot pourri to a polystyrene egg. Clever huh??
The dusky pink organza ribbon allows the egg to be hungup somewhere and hopefully, it's subtle fragrance will drift through the air as a wee reminder from whom it came.





For a little bit of fun I shall offer a small prize to the first 'Watch With Motherite' who can remember what programme used the rhyme I used in it's opening credits? Just leave a comment with your answer.

Saturday 8 March 2008

Glitter Swirls

When I was rummaging through my stash, I found a paper stack from Die Cuts With A View. They are a little different from what I would normally go for because they are glittered, but I really quite like them as they are not 'brash' at all. So I made a card with one of the swirly patterns on a turquoise background with a 'hint of a tint' of glitter.

I used a clear stamp and black ink for the 'It's Your Day' message which is mounted onto silver mirri board.
The message inside simply says 'Enjoy' and is another one of my many small clear stamps that I have recently acquired.

Vintage Papers

I had a play today with a stack of vintage look designer papers from K & Co. that have been in my stash for months and never touched. Shocking I know. I love the soft greens and rosy pinks in this range and can't imagine why I have hidden them away for so long.
The tag is removeable and reads ... "For You ... Just Because"

Following in the same colour scheme, I also spent some time making a Friend Card.
Inside the envelope, (made with my own fair hands lol), is a teeny weeny accordian book with a friendship message, all tied with a ribbon.
When it is opened it can be hung on a notice board or the side of the fridge ... as a constant reminder of a special friendship.


Wednesday 5 March 2008

Baby Cards

Today's crafty contribution to my blog consists of some baby cards I made this morning.


These will soon be 'winging their way' across the water to Canada as my donation to a collection for a very worthy cause that many CB members have volunteered to make baby cards for.



Hope you like them Freehartz and good luck with the fundraising !

Monday 3 March 2008

ATC's

I did another "first" this afternoon ... in that period of time between lunchtime ending and the children's hometime pending.
I made a couple of ATC's.

So what you may ask?

Not a major achievement by any stretch of the imagination but I was quite pleased with the results and as someone who had never much considered ATC's, it was another little something new for me.

So what prompted me to make them?
Well ... I had been given one last week by Maggie50 from the CB forum and this morning, (when I was delivering the Friendship Book to Tracy), she handed me an ATC that her mum had made for me along with 2 blank ones. Wasn't that kind? Especially considering we have never so much as spoken to each other ... YET!

Hopefully we can change that very soon but until then I would like to say ...
"Thank you very much Glitzzy !"

Anyway ... I decided to use the blanks and have made one each for Maggie50 and Glitzzy and hope I will have the opportunity to deliver them very soon.

Friendship Book

A while ago I made a fleeting mention of a secret something I was making as a surprise for a special someone. If you need to refresh your memory, the original post is HERE.
Well it was safely delivered today and I can now reveal that I was working on a Friendship Book ... the first time I have ever decorated a chipboard book, (or indeed a chipboard anything). I thoroughly enjoyed making every page and was delighted at the reaction when I handed it over.
I made a few little mistakes but none so noticeable that they are worth pointing out and I will know better the next time.

Hope you enjoy looking at the pages ... apologies again for the quality of some of the photos ... if I keep practicing then I can only get better.

There are several pages so browse at your leisure and, as always, your comments would be very much appreciated.Oh ... and the special lady's identity is revealed near the end.

Otherwise known to CB forum members as .... Queenie !