Fun In The Sun

Hi Everyone!

Like most of the UK we are enjoying some fabulous weather at the moment so I'm taking advantage and have ventured outside into the garden. Hubby did most of the major work when he was home, so I'm just tidying and tweaking but every little bit helps doesn't it?

Am just going to clean the windows (didn't realise how bad they were until the sun tried to shine through them ... *blush*) and hang out the washing before popping out to get some pretties for the window boxes. The hanging baskets have been done for a while but I ran out of enthusiasm before tackling the boxes ... this lovely weather has made me want to do them so better strike while the iron's hot.

Another busy day tomorrow as I have to go to fetch Niall and all his belongings from Edinburgh. We'd hoped to have found him a flat before now but hey ho ... no joy ... so guess what we'll be doing this Summer??

It's our Scottish Bank Holiday tomorrow so Naomi is off school and she will no doubt want to spend time with the horses up at the farm. Hopefully I can get to Edinburgh, do the necessaries and be back before she's ready to come home ... life's all a juggling act 'innit??

Anyway ... hope you are all having a Wonderful Weekend ... wherever you are and whatever you are doing. I'll pop round for a 'look~see' and catch up over the next few days ... if this weather continues it'll only be in the evenings though. Take care xx

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx

Make A Wish ...

This simple card was made using plain blue cardstock and papers from 'The Big One' paper stack which is part of the Claire Curd Signature Range.
I gave my new Star Nestabilities their first outing to cut 3 different sizes from blue cardstock and then embossed them with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots. The smallest star was then mounted onto gold mirri card using foam pads.

The brown dotty paper is from 'The Big One' stack and it was cut slightly smaller than a 5" x 7" blue card blank so there would be a narrow border.
The "Make A Wish" text was cut from another sheet of Claire Curd Signature Range paper and matted onto gold mirri card before being stuck to the stars with foam pads.

Inside ...
I again used the graduated sizes of Star Nestibilities with the dotty paper, blue card and gold mirri card, before layering them together and adding a quote.

The challenge this week at Stampin' Chic is to use the colours Brown and Blue, so this will be my entry.

Floral Fancy

Just Another Manic Monday ...
... but I managed to find time to make a card this afternoon and I'm hoping it will be eligible for a couple of challenges.
The layout for the card was determined by The Pink Elephant Challenge 16 which is to follow a great sketch by Robin this week. As always the Design Team over there have provided some fabby inspiration.

The theme this week at One Stop Craft Challenge 30 is 'Vintage' ... so hopefully I can do a double whammy and enter this card for both challenges without breaking any rules.

The background paper is from a DCWV card kit stack and the flowers are Prima to which I have added liquid pearls in the centre.
The vintage image is from a free image site and has been mounted on scalloped gold mirri card. I decided to add some 'faux stitching' by piercing holes around the outer edge and then drawing lines with a gel pen.

Golfer

This week saw the return of Kaboodle Doodle Challenges ... Whoo Hoo!! ... and as a previous lucky winner I thought it only fair to show support and participate. Besides which it also gave me the opportunity to use some of the fabulous downloaded papers from the 'Old Kit' which was my brilliant prize.

It's a Sketch Challenge this time and I made this card for my Brother in Law whose birthday is on Sunday. The golfer stamp is by Papermania and as I didn't want to spoil the lovely papers by covering them up, I simply added some black adhesive gems down the side and rubbed a smidgeon of ink along the torn edge. A black peel off greeting was added to the gold mirri card which serves as a dividing layer between the papers.

Inside I used more of the papers and a small Anita stamp provides the simple message.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy ... Job Done

Whoops ... Almost forgot to mention that they are looking for Design Team members ... so if you're at all interested then pop over there and get your name on the list.

Problems with Internet Explorer

I have been experiencing difficulties with Internet Explorer not allowing access to blogs since yesterday and repeatedly had an "Operation Aborted" message on the screen before it shuts down.
This problem was initially mildly irritating, but soon progressed to become really frustrating, so hubby has now installed Firefox browser for me and ... fingers crossed ... so far it seems to be working ok with no error messages.
Hopefully this now means I can pop by your blogs later and see what you've been doing.
Hope you all enjoy a Wonderful Weekend.

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx

Fabulous at 40

For all those loyal and patient followers, who keep popping in here to keep an eye on me and haven't jumped off the list ... "Thank You!"
Today, (AT LAST!) I have something to show you ... I just hope it was worth the wait.

The card below is for my Sister in Law who celebrates a milestone birthday at the end of the month ... although she looks 10 years younger than her actual age ... maybe that's 'cos she and my brother don't have any 'kiddlings' ~ we all know how many years they can add to your face ... ha ha ha!

The papers are all K. & Co. (one of my favourite favourites) and the image is one I found in my Vintage folder on my PC.
I colourised it very slightly in PSP, (Paint Shop Pro), which is a very useful graphics programme.
It will have originally been saved as a copyright free image (possibly from Dover) or a similar free image site out there in cyber land.

The text on the image was also added in PSP and after some matting and layering on gold mirri card, a few pink adhesive gems were added along with some Prima Flowers and a dash of ribbon.

The inside is also decorated with a few flowers, and the sentiment is made up from an Inkadinkadoo Brenda Walton clear stamp set.

To go with the card I made a wee gift bag from K. & Co. Paper Purse pack, (similar to the one won in my giveaway game), and we will make sure to pop something special inside ready for her big day.

I am hoping this card qualifies for entry into The Pink Elephant Challenge which is Monograms and Letters this week.

F is for Fabulous
F is for Forty

Cute Bumble~Bears

So ... what do you think of my new look?
Decided to go for a cute Bumble Bears theme this time.
Not as 'grown up' a look as I should probably have ... but it's a bit of fun and you have to admit they're kind've cute.
Not sure how long they'll last but they do brighten the place up so they can stay for now.

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx

Hmmmmmm ... strange.

Hmmmmm ... Looks like photobucket have deleted my background and left me with an ugly text box instead ... not particularly pretty to look at.
Probably overdue a change of scenery anyway so will see if I can get a chance over the weekend to jazz this place up a bit.

Still busy with family stuff so nothing happening in craftland for me. Hope to do some blog browsing later tonight though and see what luvverlies you have all been creating. See you later xx

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx

**UPDATE**
Photobucket are indeed doing maintenance so decoration will have to wait until they're finished.
Ooooh it looks so bare.

Thank You and Sorry

Thank you so much for all the lovely e~mail messages I have received recently from visitors wondering where I am and and why I haven't posted anything.
Please accept my apologies to you all for causing any concern.
There's nothing to worry about ... honestly!
I'm just busy with other things and haven't had time or energy left for crafting or blogging.

I hope to be back soon but meanwhile ...
If anyone knows of someone in Scotland, with a double horsebox for sale ... or someone who has a flat to rent near Kings Buildings in Edinburgh ... ????
... then I would be your friend for life LOL!

Hey ho ... aww well ... must get back to the classifieds.

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx