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.