Tartan Parade

Just finishing packing for the weekend as Naomi and I are off to Sunderland this weekend.
WHOO HOO!
We always look forward to this annual October trip, where Naomi plays ten pin bowling in the European Open and it's made all the more exciting this year as we hope to meet up again with my crafty pal Irene.
Aaaaaand .... I have it on good authority that she has been slaving over a hot oven and bread maker in anticipation of our arrival - so hopefully she will be feeling better by tomorrow and will be up to our visit 'cos we are drooling at the thought.

Before I log off and load up the car, I thought I'd show the completed set of Christmas Cards, where the brief was to keep it simple and include Tartan Ribbon.
The cards are also personalised but the recipients details are hidden under a 'Happy Christmas' version for privacy purposes.
Hopefully this design fits the customer's bill and I may actually use this idea for some of my own 'batch cards' as they were simple and easy to mass produce.

I really, really, REALLY love this Lace Tree embossing folder - it has got to be up there as one of ... (if not THE) ... best of my all time favourites.

RIGHT! ... Gotta' go and get organised.
See you when we get back from (not so sunny ) Sunderland.
Hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Random Round Up

T'was nice to get time to visit a few of your blogs last week ... I will eventually get around to you all but there are so many it's going to take time. It was lovely to see all of your amazing and beautiful projects.
Last week I did manage to get some cards made myself but won't bore you with them all, that would be too cruel.
Here are just a few ... click on the images for a clearer view.

The first was for my dad, who celebrated his birthday last Tuesday, using the K. & Co. Verbena Scrap Pad for everything - all the elements were pop out so a very easy card to make.

The black and gold gatefold card was also for my dad from our 'kiddlings' ... who call him Pops ... and the foiled champagne topper was part of a Kanban kit.
I did a similar card for the Glenrothes Squad ten pin bowling coach who celebrates his 70th birthday today.
Black card, gold mirri card and a few peel offs and it's a job done!

My brother and his wife celebrated their Wedding Anniversary on 11th but were in Florida at the time - lucky devils - so they'll get their card and gift when I next see them.
This one is recycled from the many cards that people pass on to me, and I simply cut the image and message into a heart shape with scalloped scissors and mounted them with foam pads onto silver mirri card debossed with swiss dots, added a ribbon and popped it all onto a DL card blank.

The Christmas card orders are starting to come in now and I'm really, really, really going to try to be sensible and only take on what I can achieve without having to resort to 24 hour sessions to complete them, as happened last year.
Time will tell if I can follow through on that one.

Well hubby is due at the station in about an hour, so had better go and see if I can make myself semi-presentable - not sure lippy and mascara will be enough though! Good job he loves me.

Hi

It's been a while since my last post - mainly because I have been very busy in the 'real world' as well as completing a wee flurry of card orders - but also because any online time has been spent on facebook, playing silly games. Not the most productive thing to do with my time I know, but it's all I could be bothered with.

While I've been away from blogland I've done some serious thinking about the amount of time I actually spend online. It has definitely become a much bigger part of my life than was ever intended and the balance seriously needs to be redressed.
So I've decided that my posts here will be much less frequent than before and may in fact be very INfrequent ... although I do still plan to continue visiting with you at your creative corners as often as possible. Couldn't cut myself off from my blog-buddies altogether or severe withdrawal symptoms will set in!
Actually, it'll be nice to have proper browse time again and not feel under any pressure, (albeit self-imposed), to show off anything myself unless I really want to.

It's inevitable that some followers will head off to more active spots ... there are literally thousands of wonderfully talented and inspirational bloggers out there to keep your appetites whetted on a daily basis ... but before you go, please know I've really appreciated your loyalty and want to thank you for the many kind comments over the last 18 months.

My daughter is currently on holiday from school and I intend to spend quality time with her - provided she wants to of course. We are looking forward to our annual trip to Sunderland at the end of the month when she will be competing in the Ten Pin European Open and we'll hopefully be meeting up with Irene ... *waves madly to Irene* ... while we're there.
AND ... if we play our cards right, we could be enjoying some of her fabby-licious home-baked scones.
Scrummy for the tummy !

So ... that's the state of play for now - I'm all 'blogged out'
I need ... want ... and am going to take a 'bloggy-break' and only time will tell if it is going to be temporary or permanent. Hope you all understand xxx

More Than A Touch of Green

Fab's Big Christmas Card Challenge #39 this week was to use Green ... and then add more Green ... with the additional option of making 2 different cards from the same supplies.
So being the good girl that I am, I did as instructed.

The patterned paper is from Papermania's "Naughty and Nice" pack and perfectly matches the bright green cardstock I used to emboss the Cuttlebug Christmas Tree.
Strangely the colour in the 1st photo looks a bit dull but it is the same green as the other one ... honest.
In fact it is a really zingy lime green in real life which neither photo shows properly ... but never mind.

The layout is identical on each DL card, but on one I coloured in the embossing with a white gel pen and used white twill ribbon below the greeting and on the other I simply added a scattering of adhesive gems and some fine green cord as an alternative to ribbon, so hopefully that makes them different enough.

3 x "Vintagesque"

Not sure "Vintagesque" is even a word - but if not then it should be 'cos it looks nice when written down and sounds lovely when you say it.
Try it!
(Anyone want to take bets on how long before QVC or C+C 'adopt' it?)
I know ... sometimes even I can't believe I'm so wicked ... tee hee.

I was determined to add to my Christmas Card stockpile with at least one offering this week and actually surprised myself by making 3 - at the same time - amazing!
I'm usually very much a 'one off' kind've crafter and not good at duplicating so feeling a bit clever.
I know they're all pretty much alike but desperate times call for desperate measures and maybe by doing mini-batches like this, using the same papers, and basic layout, I may have enough in reserve ready to send out when December rolls around.
Then again ... maybe not! It's tough being popular y'know ... whahahahahaha!

Over at Magical Crafts Forum, the xmas card challenge was Vintage so I printed off this Santa image, (which is from Dover Publications), and combined it with some leftover Christmas papers from last year, (which I believe were a bargain scrapbook paper pack from Poundland)
... added a touch of gold mirri card for layering,
... popped on a greeting using ribbon on one, Gold Peel Off on another and an acrylic Stamp on the last
... and there you go.

Bish! .... Bash! ... Bosh! ... 3 versions of the same card.
What could be simpler?? ... apart from buying them I mean.

I could argue that the image has the look of a Stained Glass Window ... (what do you think?) ... so I'm cheekily sneaking it in to Fab's Big Christmas Challenge as the theme week #38 is Cosy Christmas or Windows.
Actually do you know what ?
Fab really doesn't mind how tentative the link to his theme and there's no deadline to when you join in ... he just likes people to come along and have fun with his challenges ...
... he always ALWAYS has kind comments to make, (good for the self confidence) AND
... he always ... ALWAYS ... ALWAYS ... takes time to visit and say thank you for joining in.
So next time you make a Christmas card ... pop by Fab's place and leave your link. You'll make his day and he may make yours.

Twin Girls

My cousin and his wife are now the proud parents of beautiful twin girls and here's the card I made for them.

I used Funky Fairys free download paper, which was matted onto silver mirri card to give a narrow border.

Before printing the cute baby girl decoupage sheet, I nipped into PSP (Paint Shop Pro) and reversed the topper so I could have mirror images for my front panel.
I did actually do a wee bit of decoupage to add a little dimension, only one layer I know, but regular readers here know it isn't my favourite thing so ... my theory is that one is better than none ... isn't it.?
The names were added using silver peel off letters.

Inside I again matted the pretty paper onto silver mirri card and then added a clear adhesive sticker onto the last scrap before popping it in the bottom corner.

Challenge #34 over at Funky Fairys this week is 'Recycling' and the bonnie pink twill ribbon was removed from a t-shirt before heading off to the wardrobe in the sky, and the buttons are also recycled from a cardigan, so that keeps me in with the theme.

Still Here ...

Huge thanks to all who have contacted me recently wondering where I've been hiding. It's nice to know you've missed me and I'm really sorry for worrying you unnecessarily.
I've just had a bit of a 'Kidney Problem' over the last wee while ... I just 'kidney be bothered' ... and it seems to be affecting my crafting, blogging, and even general day to day stuff.

Hopefully it's just a temporary state of affairs and this week will see an improvement.
Am going to visit a few blogs over the next few days to see if that gets my motivation going again ... I'm sure it will.
Thanks again for caring so much xxx

**Edited to Add**
"Kidney Be" = "Couldn't Be" ... with a Scottish accent.

9/11 - Remembering

Checking In ...

Sorry I haven't been around blogland much this week but have had a bit of a head cold that won't shift and so can't stay in front of the screen for too long before feeling 'icky.
Am barking like a seal too so someone's going to throw me some fish if I'm not careful LOL!

Haven't managed any crafting either but maybe by the weekend I'll feel more like getting out the paper and sticky stuff.
Also been busy getting Niall's stuff moved through to Edinburgh and somehow the normal weekly schedule just seems to have gone to pot ... I'm putting the disorganisation down to my thick head and hoping next week will be better LOL!

Hubby came home on Monday but has tootled off down to Kettering this morning to attend an Annual Sports Car Show where he is going to be in his element surrounded by loads of luvverly MR2's ... and will of course proudly show off his own rather fabby specimen.
It's not often he's able to attend because the dates usually fall when he's offshore so it would've been a bit cruel not to let him go ... wouldn't it?
Here's a piccy of his little baby ... isn't she pretty? This is one of the photo's taken when it was featured on Fifth Gear recently.
Anyway ... just wanted to touch base with you all and let you know I'm still around.

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx

Merry "PINK-mas" 2

The Funky Fairys Challenge #32 this week was to 'CASE' a project created by one of the DT members in a previous challenge.
CASE = Copy And Share Everything
I chose a card made by Anne in Challenge #27.

I really liked the simplicity of her layout and thought it would work well to show off this fabby pink Christmas paper, which is another Funky Fairys free download.

The Christmas message ribbon is from Anita's and as the funky tree tag and silver tree embellishments make the occasion obvious, I felt there was no need for any additional greeting.

Fab's Christmas Challenge #13 way back in March was Decoupage or Pink ... and there are no prizes for guessing I chose the easy option.

I'm awarding myself a wee gold star for adding 3 Xmas cards to my collection this week and on that happy note I'm away to bed.

Forever Friends Christmas 2009

I received the auto delivery Forever Friends Christmas Kit from QVC a week or so ago ... (which I'd completely forgotten about until it landed!) ... so decided to break the seal and have a play today.
The image was coloured with Whispers Brush Markers and the papers are from last year so can't remember the collection.
The panels were cut with nestabilities and gold mirri card proved itself to be invaluable once again, although I think narrower borders would've probably looked nicer, so that's noted for next time.
It was the ideal opportunity to join in with another of and Fab's Christmas Card Challenges and Challenge #30 was Cute and Square so this qualifies on both counts.

I followed this weeks Sketch Challenge set by Iris over at Simon Says Stamp, although I have substituted snowflake embellishments for the flowers and decided not to offset the ovals as it just looked like I'd put it on squint and seriously needed to go to SpecSavers.

Anyway, hopefully they will forgive me and still allow me entry 'cos there's an extra-specially fabby-tabulous prize up for grabs in honour of Heidi's birthday and I really, really want it ... NAY NEED IT!
Ok I'm lying about needing, but I definitely want it and have even cleared a space especially!
Ha ha ha ! A girl can dream can't she??

Stripes and Dots For Xmas

I'm still plugging away at Fab's Christmas Challenges and this week we are asked to used a combination of Stripes and Dots with the additional challenge of NO fabric ribbon.

I dug out the DCWV Christmas Cardmaking Pad for the papers and the sentiment and after covering the front panel with spotty paper, I simply matted a strip of stripey paper across some gold mirri card as 'faux ribbon' before adding the greeting.

The tree is a basic triangle cut from a panel of gold mirri card, embossed with the Cuttlebug Snowflake folder and that is mounted onto green pearlescent paper from the DCWV pad, with foam pads.
I used a couple of small offcuts of paper to create some ribbon tails which hang below the holly embellishment which I coloured with permanent markers.
This card is also an entry for the Christmas Challenge at Magical Crafts forum, where Hazel selected the theme of Red, Gold and Green.

Something Old ... Something New ...

... Something Borrowed
... Something Blue.

Soooooooo ... What immediately springs to mind when you see those words?
Could it be WEDDING!
That was Challenge #31 theme this week at Funky Fairys and if I'm really quick then I may just make it before the deadline.

As a change, I decided to make a card for the happy couple to give to someone who helps to ensure their day is special ... the Bridesmaid.
**To see the greeting more clearly just click on the image to enlarge.**

Something Old ... Greeting from a QVC kit
Something New ... Blue Ribbon
Something Borrowed ... Organza Flower from an old hair slide
Something Blue ... Funky Fairys Distressing Vines Paper and DCWV Vellum Quote

The pattern on this paper is really subtle and you have to look closely to make out the pale swirly vines ... it's very elegant and pretty and perfectly compliments the lovely patterned ribbon which decorates the bottom and the left side of the card.
Using the decorated ribbon is my passport to enter as a latecomer to Bubbly Scrumptious Weekly Challenge #3 and that means I can go to bed a happy bunny.

Nighty Night ... Sleep Tight.

Golden Wedding Card Album

This project was made for my husband's Aunt and Uncle who celebrated their 50th Anniversary this month.

I was asked several months ago if I could make a special keepsake card to send across the water to them in Australia and if possible, include photographs of all the family members back here in UK.
When I didn't hear anything more about it over the next few weeks I presumed the idea had been shelved.

Then, last week I was handed envelopes with photographs ... and bits of photographs which had been diced and sliced to within an inch of their lives ... or in some cases a centimetre!!
Not exactly ideal to work with but I did my best.

After an initial panic attack, wondering what I could possibly do quickly that would look half decent, I came up with this gatefold card which opens to show one of their original wedding photographs and is deep enough to hold an accordian album containing all the family photos I was given.
Both sides of each page shows a different family member or family group and I used a combination of punches and nestabilities to create gold frames in an attempt to disguise the uneven scissorwork.
**I have blurred the images so as not to upset anyone by plastering their faces for all to see without permission, but you will get the gist of what I've done.**

The matching box and gift card were made from gold mirri card with paper roses and feathers tied with ribbon providing a little decoration.
Bearing in mind the postage costs, I had to make sure it wasn't too heavily decorated.

Hopefully it will be well on it's way by now and will arrive safely in plenty of time for them returning from their holiday in mid September.


As this is a keepsake album and box I'm hoping it will qualify for entry at Truly Scrumptious Challenge #14 where they are asking for anything but a card ... but that may be pushing the boundaries a bit.

Organised Chaos

Actually ... I'm not too sure about the 'organised' bit of the title but the 'chaos' definitely describes how my week has been so far and it doesn't look like the weekend is going to bring any lull as we will be spending most of it in Stirling bowling alley.
Anyway, I really just wanted to let you all know I'm alive and kicking but just been really busy and haven't had time to check in.
Normal service should be resumed next week.

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend and if you could possibly find time to send some positive thoughts and good vibes for Naomi to play well it would be very much appreciated.
THANK YOU XXX

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx

Patchwork Pals Christmas

I'm still actively playing catchup with all Fab's Christmas Challenges and pursuing my rather ambitious goal of completing them before December.
If successful I will have a decent stockpile of Christmas cards in advance and obviously this will reduce the number of shop bought cards I will have to send this year.
This card is for Challenge # 33 which is to use a Christmas kit.

Most QVC viewers will recognise our cheeky friend Billy and this time all the components are from the Christmas Patchwork Pals kit apart from the mirri card.

He looks very dapper with his holly trimmed hat don't you think?

Patchwork Pals & Funky Elegance

What a bloomin' weekend this has been!
Full of highs and lows ... and everything in between.
But much as I feel like indulging in a good ol' rant, that really wouldn't be very polite in front of visitors.
Soooooooooooo ... I'll just show you the card I made for my nephew's 8th birthday instead.
Happy Birthday Robbie xx

I used a cute wee character called Billy from a Kanban Patchwork Pals kit purchased on impulse from QVC a while ago.
He is die cut and has a back and front view designed for using on aperture cards or on cut away cards, like I have done here.
My only complaint about this kit is that some of the front and back pieces don't match up very well ... and in fact I'll need to give Billy another wee trim before popping him in his envelope.
Hey! ... That cheeky wee monkey looks like he's eyeing up my paper stacks don't you think?

The papers are scraps of Basic Grey - Colour Me Silly and CCSR -The Big One that were left over from previous projects, and they are matted onto gold mirri card which serves a dual purpose of not only looking good but also strengthening the card so it is extra sturdy and stands properly.
**If you click on the images they will show full size.**

My other offering before lights out is something of a completely different nature.
Funky Fairys Challenge #30 is a sketch by Joanne and as I had printed off some free downloads from the Funky Fairys Inspiration blog a couple of days ago and they were pleading with me to be used, I took pity on them and had a play.

Now I confess I had to correct a wee mistake which wasn't noticed until I thought I was finished, but I think I got away with it.
Shhhhhh ... don't tell.
**Lesson learned .... must start printing the sketch to refer to and not rely on my rather inadequate memory.**

The lush wide black velvet ribbon was a bargain buy from Morrisons in their January sale ... reduced to 25p from £1.50 so I cleaned them out of their remaining stock and the black felt flowers were another bargain but apologies because I can't remember where from.

Anyway ...
"Time for bed!" said Zeb ... will see you all later and thanks for visiting.

Summer Colours

Nearly didn't make it to The Pink Elephant Challenge #28 this week which has a Summer theme.
Not because I didn't find time to make something ... but because I forgot to post it on my blog!
Hmmmmm ... let's just put it down to a MadMax Moment and say no more.
Anyway, this card was made entirely from a selection of free goodies that come with various craft magazines I've bought. The brightness and vibrancy of the colours just scream Summer to me.
I followed sketch #1 from Vee's Sketch Pad ... a new blog which showcases various inspirational sketch designs by Vee and her friends.
It is NOT a challenge blog with weekly sponsored prizes although Vee may occasionally select a few cards that have been submitted to go into a draw for a small prize.
So if you're feeling stuck for ideas and you fancy doing something just for fun, then pop over and visit Vee.
I'm sure there'll be a warm welcome waiting for you and you may get an inspiration boost while you're there.

Penny Black Birthday

My Brother~in~Law should've received his card by now as his birthday was yesterday, so it's safe to show.
The image is Penny Black Lazy Days which was sent to me in a RAK and I actually coloured and mounted it onto an embossed card panel back in June when I used the same image for a Father's Day card.
The background paper is from a paper stack by Papermania and I added chipboard letters for personalisation.
This will be an alternative entry into Bubbly Scrumptious August Challenge.

KT's Challenge

Over at my forum buddy Shells blog is a Sketch Challenge which has been set by her 11 year old daughter and as I'm all in favour of encouraging the 'littlies' to be creative, I wanted to join in and give my support.
It would make her day to get a good response, so if you have a spare half hour and fancy playing along then hop on over to Shells.
I used a cute Penny Black stamp ... I really love those hedgies ... and it was coloured in with watercolour pencils before using a scallop punch and adding some doodling.
The patterned papers are from Papermania and they have been matted onto purple cardstock.
Purple and white velvet ribbon and a Prima flower topped with a button brad were added before mounting onto foam pads and sticking to the front panel.
The butterfly was created using silver decorative corner peeloffs and 2 small purple punched hearts with some graduating adhesive sparkle gems for the body.
Peeloff dots were ideal for the butterfly trail down to the greeting which is a transparent circle sticker on a leftover scrap of purple card.