Di's December #3 Sketch

Three weeks into December already & this time next week it'll be Christmas day!! Woo-hoo!! Nope, I'm not ready, organised or even close! LOL.
Anyway, Di's sketch this week was a stunner & I love it ... even tho' I struggled with the li'l envelope: I'll definitely use a template next time! I've been playing with Prima product this last few days ... luuuurve anything kinda vintage/shabby or whatever, so I'm lovin' Prima too - & it's no coincidence that they have their DT call on right now *smiles*. Will share my DT application end of the month I think: I don't expect I'll be chosen from the thousand that apply ... but if not, I'll have some great projects to show for it, so it's all good! LOL.
Anyway, pop on over to Di's Blog to see what the rest of the DT did with the sketch ... & maybe have a go yourself?

A Fabby Early Christmas Prezzie!!

Did you see this post on the CCAYR blog?? Evidently this card is a winner & I'm now a proud member of the January to March DT! Obviously, I'm thrilled! LOL
I'm taking a break from Deanne's team this week & from Di's Team next week - with hospital visiting & the fact that I've not started my Christmas preparations yet, I just needed a li'l time off to concentrate on making all those Chrimbo gifts that I've planned. So I might be a li'l bit quiet this week ... but then again, I might not! LOL

Glimpses ... For Free

Stacy Julian from BPS is offering a FREE download & go class ... 'Glimpses'. You need to be quick as the offer is only good from today (14 December) thru to 20 December. Looks good ... I signed up for it!

Is This A Winning Card?

It's 3 months since I applied for a DT spot at Christmas Cards All Year 'Round, which means it's time to re-apply. Although the requirement was to produce just one card, I found it a li'l bit of a challenge as it had to be inspired by the blog banner - just as it was last time. So I had to create something both the same & totally different! LOL
Auntie Jane brought these MME papers & die cuts back from the US for me last month & I knew at once that they were the ones I'd want to use. The colours are similar to the blog banner ... just more pastel & the composition is inspired by it too. The photo doesn't show it particularly well (flash photography) but the snowman & 'joy' are adhered on foam tape for dimension. I also added self adhesive pearls to the snowman's buttons & black ones for his eyes & mouth - a bit of sanding, inking & machine stitching & it's done!
There's still time to apply ... the call closes tomorrow - and the announcement for the new team will be Monday. Deets are here if you fancy trying out!

Di's December #2 Sketch

The chilly winter is here & I'm finding myself drawn to these papers by Bo Bunny ... last year's collection but I do love them. the photo is a bit pants ... & you can be expecting more pants photos until I'm able to take them outside again - never mind 'twill be the spring soon! LOL.
So this is Di's December #2 sketch & I found it sooooo easy to use that I was able to create a few sets of crimbo cards for DS4's Christmas Fayre last week & have been dying to share the photos!

Why not give the sketch a try ... I bet you'll be glad you did!

Kazan's Sketch #15

Can you believe it's been nearly 2 months since I last played along with 2 Sketches 4 You?? Life just gets in the way sometimes doesn't it? Anyway, I'm up to date with all my DT work & needed to make a card for my stepfather, who is in hospital ATM, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try out Kazan's latest sketch.
Masculine cards can be a bit tricky but the papers (Prima Marketing: Cavalier) made it easy. The image is from a bunch of replica ephemera that I picked up at the Museum while visiting the Christmas markets at Bury St Edmunds a couple weeks ago - from the 'Home Front' pack. My stepfather has an interest in WWII, so this was just perfect. I distressed and inked all my edges before machine stitching the papers into position & then just stapled the sentiment (SU!) & velvet ric rac into place. Just cuz it's a man-card doesn't mean that it can't have texture! LOL.

My stepfather is much better but will probably have an operation before they let him loose on the world. We don't expect him home before the weekend.

I blew the NaBloPoMo challenge to blog every day this month but I shall carry on with the thankful theme anyway. & who knows ... maybe next year I'll blog every day - one month at least! LOL
Today I'm thankful for:

• Ready Brek. They used to advertise it as 'central heating for kids' & it keeps me warm & nourished on cold wintery mornings.
• The internet. Just this morning I have shopped for groceries, bought a couple of Christmas presents, blogged, applied for a DT post & e-mailed my dad (who lives abroad) ... all before 9am. Later on, I shall be stocking my Misi store with more yummy stuff ... Gotta wonder how I managed without it!
  
• Energy Saving Lightbulbs. I have used these for years ... started when they were still a new thing but now big business seems to have caught on we keep getting them through the post - so that's an even bigger saving!!
  

Creatively Yours: Sketch #43

Finally, a project I can share with you! LOL. I have been busy with DT creations lately, so I've not been able to share anything & I know it's been a few days since I last blogged too ... so much for blogging every day in December - I didn't even last a week! LOL. I have some plans for January tho' so expect to see a lot more blogging from me then.
In the meantime, I'll struggle along ... trying to fit a bit of crafting into the manic Christmas prep - just wait 'til you read what I haven't done yet!!!
Right, back to the layout: My very good friend Nina got married on November 28 & this is the first layout I have done from the photos I took at the evening reception - I left the journal panel blank for Nina to finish off when I give it to her. I used Noella's sketch #43, from the Creatively Yours Challenge Blog - & although I'm on the DT, I haven't done my first 'official' assignment yet ... so this week I'm playing along for fun! Pop over to see the sketch & maybe join in ... we'd love you to play along too!
What I love about Noella's sketches most is the level of detail ... I have tried that whole minimalist style that seems to be trendy right now ... but I have to say I'm definitely a shabby-vintage-throw-it-all-at-the-page-and-see-what-sticks sorta scrapper: I like to distress, ink, layer & I like my pages embellishment-heavy. So I followed the sketch almost without deviation - & this is the result.
I'm playing with Prima right now (did I mention I love shabby/vintage?) & have mixed a few different paper ranges together here (Whisper, Angelique, Rue 88). I didn't have a suitable corner swirly embellie, so I cut a long scroll & combined it with a fleur de lis type thingy to custom-make one - & I matted the crystal bird to make it pop! All the supplies here are Prima Marketing, save from the brads, pearls & the plain cardstock (click on the pic to get a better look at the detail!).
I hope to be back again tomorrow with another project ... but don't hold me to it! LOL

Busy Day at the Christmas Fayre.

I spent the whole day at Auryn's School today, helping out with the Christmas fayre & had a ton of fun along the way! LOL. Only someone who has been involved in a fundraiser will know how much of a giggle we had ... & it's not a case of being in the clique - Auryn goes on the school bus, so I don't know any of the other parents at all - and don't see too much of the teachers either. But I have said I'll get more involved ... same as I was when the older boys were at infant school *smiles*
Anyway, These are a couple of the card sets that I put together ... made the cards a while ago - & over the last couple days, I made the envelopes, tags & boxes ... think I'm probably gonna package more cards this way in the future rather than doing individual ones in cello bags ... what d'ya think?? I have others to show but not until next week after Di has revealed the sketch! .
& here's a li'l photo of Auryn with the great man himself ... he was soooo excited to meet Santa ... especially having discovered Santa's footprints in his classroom this morning! LOL
Today, I am thankful for:

• Making new friends. It's been a long time since I have been around other 'mummies' ... hadn't realised how much I missed it.
• Auryn's Teachers. He has settled sooooo well at school & is totally happy there - the teacher's & helpers care about their kids - & it shows!
• Darent Valley Hospital. Maybe not the best healthcare in the world but my stepfather was admitted today & is already feeling happier that they will find what ails him ... & then fix it! & that's good enough for me!
  

Back tomorrow - I have new SU! goodies!!!

Di's December #1 Sketch

Not the best photo in the world ... it has been soooo windy here that, even when it isn't raining, I've not been able to take photos outdoors. Anyway, Di's sketch this week was particularly festive, so I created this li'l lovely with scraps of Bo Bunny Teen Chic papers ... not traditionally festive but I'm loving the green/pink combi this year (as you might have noticed! LOL). There's a full supplies list on Di's blog but check out those pink/white circular patterns: Stampin' Up! Seeing Circles Stamp set & Pixie Pink ink (possibly my fave!!)
Wanna know how to make it or how to get those stamps for free? ... check it out on Mad Mumma Stampin's Blog.

Snowman Poop?

Tamara posted this fabby li'l tutorial over at CCAYR some weeks ago & I've been waiting until now to make up a bunch for DS4's school Christmas fayre (on Friday) ... I think they look fab! Assuming you have 12x12 cardstock & some patterned papers (scraps will do it), you could make these for under 50p each ... a real budget stocking filler - or fundraiser!! & they are really quite quick to do too (once I remembered I have a scoring blade for my trimmer ... never used it before but would deffo recommend it! LOL)
& while on the subject of CCAYR ... I won last month's card challenge! Woo-hoo! Go Me!! The next challenge is up, so why not pop over & have a go ... maybe next month is your turn to win the draw! *smiles*
I have made a whole bunch of cards too ... but as I've used Di's December #2 sketch, I can't share until next week!! Gotta go ... have a whole bunch of envelopes to make for new year cards that I'll be donating to the school too!!

Did You Win???

OK ... as promised it's a winners post ... & it's gonna be a looooong one! LOL. I used the random integer thingy as always ... no fixed draws here!!

First up, the winner of this month's stalker's draw is # 1 ... Nina. I'm gonna send you a li'l handmade something!
& for everyone else ... I'm gonna make this monthly stalker's draw a regular thing each & every month. Keep an eye out tho' - there'll be a chance to increase your odds of winning announced in the next couple of days!

Next, the missing '40 days' event winners that got missed ... what can I say? We were too busy celebrating! LOL.
The Link List winner from Day #1: Carla, from the Pursuit of Scrappyness
Day #17's Birthday Tag: Cabbie Lopez
Day #25's Etsy Stuff winner: Jen T
Day #35's Layout Challenge: Bibi
Day 36's Webstore Goodies: Sammie
Day 37's Embellie Kit: Shannon
Day #38's Vintage Goodies: Tash

I need you all to e-mail me your snail mail addys & I'll get your goodies off to you!
Vanessa: I still owe you some handmade cards but I've misplaced your addy ... can you e-mail it again please??
Phoenix: What is your fave colour???

Phew!! well that's it guys ... & if you are still with me: Congrats on getting to the end of the post!! LOL.
'Til Tomorrow ... g'night!

Well That's A First!

I went to Bury St Edmunds last weekend with my Mum, stepfather & some of my ladies (on a coach trip) to the Christmas markets ... sooooooo much shopping! Mum took these photos of the stiltwalkers & I have actually scrapped them - within a week!!!!!
Before you start thinking that I've gone all super-organised, I should say that this is my 1st December layout for Deanne & that I have only just got it to her - so actually I'm late & not at all organised. Go visit to see what the rest of the DT did ... fabulous pages!
What can I say? it's been a manic couple weeks but the webstore finally went offline this morning - & with it went all the stress & irritation it has been causing for quite some time. The MISI store makes me happy ... & the group of friends I have made over there keep me laughing too - life is good!
Today I'm thankful for:

• Deanne's understanding of my missed deadline ... she didn't sack me yet!! *must try harder*
  
• Online friends ... sometimes it's difficult to find the block of hours to actually visit friends but online you can snatch a minute here & there ... even if it's at 2 am! LOL
• My folks for taking me to Bury with them - had a fab day out!

I'll be back later on with my winners announcement as I promised yesterday!!

The Times, They Are A Changin'

No Piccies today ... more an enabling post, I guess. Officially, I closed the webstore down today & technically my web service has expired ... although when I last checked it was still there! LOL. Sometime soon it will be gone for good ... but I won't!
My latest adventure is my brand new MISI store (Make It, Sell It) & I'm loving having a new 'home' ... we have a lot of fun on the forums there too *smiles*
Anyway, there was still some craft supplies in the webstore, so I've been busy uploading them to MISI too ... over 340 products in my li'l store there ... some handmade but a fair few craft supplies too - & some new reductions on supplies (woo-hoo)
I would love you all to join us on the forums there - you don't have to be a seller ... we have a li'l crafting community there & boy can we chat!
Back tomorrow with the winner from the stalkers draw ... I think I'll make that a monthly thing - oh! & I missed a bunch of prizes out from the '40 days' celebrations, so I'll announce them too (3 months late - better late than never I guess! LOL)
I was too late for NaBloPoMo last month (National Blog Posting Month) but I'm gonna have a go for this month ... a post every day ... all month! Let's just see how that pans out then! They have a (non-compulsory) monthly theme, & for December the theme is 'Thanks'.
I have soooo much to be thankful for & lots of people to be thankful to:

• MISI for inviting me to join ... I feel so at home there!
• Vanessa for alerting me to the missing 40 day prizes
• All the fabulous people who liked my work enough to give me a spot on their DTs - this is what I love to do the most!
• My family for indulging me & supporting me while I've been unwell - I'm soooo much better now that the meds are doing their thing!
  

I guess that will do for today - more to come tomorrow!

Even More Fast & Fun Notes

Here's the last batch of cards using the Fun & Fast Notes stamp Set from Stampin' Up. I've finally replaced my mini sewing machine (knocked the last one off the table ... they do not bounce well!!) so I got to do a bit of sewing on these. The buttons are from my stash again, I'm still using up a bunch of A Muse notecards (lots left still) but the ribbon is the SU! 1/4" grosgrain from Mad Mumma's starter kit.

I love torn cardstock for a bit of added texture ... especially when it's been machine stitched.
I wanted to do something quite simple & elegant too & the result was these last two cards. I used markers to colour direct on to the stamps, matted the images & added the ribbon detail. These are probably 10 minute cards, so ideal if you need to make a batch in a hurry.
If you'd like to buy SU! products in the UK, contact Mad Mumma through her blog ... I'll guarantee she'll be happy to help!

More Fast & Fun Notes

So here are even more cards from that same stamp set (Fast & Fun Notes) combined with the Spot On roller stamp ... nothing different apart from the colours & images, as I have stuck to exactly the same design for them all. Using the same layout makes it soooo simple to create a whole bunch of cards in a hurry!
I'm going to make up a few sets of notecards like these for various relatives as li'l Christmas gifts ... an economical choice for me (can you say credit crunch???) & something that I am sure will be well-received & useful! See that tag in the bottom picture? Yup! same as the Christmas ones but with a different image - super simple!

If you would like to see a current Stampin' Up! catalogue, host a workshop or just buy these stamps, you can do it all at Mad Mumma's blog. Go on ... you know you want to! LOL

All Spruced Up!

Here's the rest of the cards & tags I made on my playdate with Mad Mumma. It is exactly the same image as yesterday's post (felt like I stamped 100 of these! LOL), using a whole bunch of left over A Muse notecards. These were just sooooo quick to put together & assuming I get the copyright stamp in time, I'll be donating them to DS4's school Christmas Fayre on December 5th ... go me! LOL
Another bunch of those manilla tags - great for Xmas gifts & plenty of space on the back to add a personal message.
It's nearly end of the month ... if you aren't already following this blog, sign up now for a chance to win goodies! The link is up near the top right of the page! Oh! & I'm giving a li'l RAK for Mad Mumma's followers too, so why not pop on over there as well.

Mad Mumma's Workshop

I made this li'l Christmas set with goodies from Mad Mumma's SU! starter kit for a workshop next Friday. Really quick & easy to put together! The tag is a manilla luggage label ... I have a ton of these! LOL. The design isn't really mine I guess as it is very similar to one of the ideas on the leaflet that comes with the kit.
I entered a bit of a stampin' frenzy really & made, over the course of a couple of evenings, a total of 24 cards & 6 gift tags. All from the same stamp set (Fast & Fun Notes) using the Spot On jumbo roller stamp. I tell you, I'm loving the roller stamp ... makes backgrounds & borders fun & super-quick!
If you want to know more about this li'l project, find it at Mad Mumma Stampin'.

Trees Are For Life, Not Just For Christmas!

This li'l tree won't do much to alleviate the effects of greenhouse gases but it will enhance the environment, aesthetically speaking of course.
I have to say, I am rather pleased with it as it is my first. I used over 6m of ribbon & that really hasn't made a dent in my stash ... maybe when I've done a couple more? I have had rather a busy day today & finished up a whole bunch of projects. But rather than bombard you with a huge post, I'm gonna schedule some for the next couple days ... little & often - that's the key! Hopefully, by the time you've caught up with the latest bunch of projects, I should have some more ready to go ... love this time of year ... so much to make!!
I've listed these ribbon trees in my Misi store ... tell me, what do you think?

NaBloPoMo

Just came across this fun site ... the deal is to post every day for a month - & that's it. Well, obviously I won't do that this month but I thought I'd sign up ready for December. Yup! I'm gonna have a go at posting everyday in December ... including Christmas (well, I might cheat a li'l bit & schedule a couple posts for the celebratory days).
Be back later ... I've been making stuff!!

Woo-Hoo!!

Just got in from grocery shopping (I loathe grocery shopping!!) to a cryptic e-mail from Jo congratulating me on making the Creatively Yours team! I assumed it was a mistake as I'd not had an e-mail ... so I checked & yup! it's all true!!!
Soooooo excited, can't wait to get started ... check out the announcement here!!

Edited to add: found the e-mail in my spam folder ... darn filter allows obvious spam (you need to give us the details to your e-bay/paypal/bank accounts so we can empty your account sorta e-mails) & filters a whole bunch every day that I have to restore. Go figure! LOL

I came across this challenge blog just a couple days ago, via Vanessa's blog I think, & they had a DT call on. Noella has some fabulous sketches & I thought I might quite like to be on the DT there ... so I applied at the 11th hour.

This is the layout I created for the call, using Noella's 6x12 sketch #3. Sooooo difficult to choose just 1 sketch to use! LOL. This is a total mix of old stash well past the time to use it up & the newest ... Basic Grey, Wassail papers that Auntie Jane brought for me on her visit last week ... she always brings the best goodies with her from the US!
I have a whole bunch of DT applications to make thru December ... sure, I probably won't get them all ... maybe I won't get any but it certainly keeps me on my toes & ensures that I keep creating!!
6x12 Santa Layout Supplies: Textured cardstock: DCWV, Patterned papers: Basic Grey, Wassail; Journal Spot: Handmade; Pearls: Kaisercraft; Pinwheels, white brads: HOTP; Holly Leaves: Prima Marketing; Crackle Paint: Ranger; Snowflake eyelets, chipboard star & brackets, cream fibre: unknown from stash; tiny pinecones: from a local park

SU! ... We Do!

No piccies this time ... I have been working hard on that new SU! blog that I mentioned here. & it went live just a li'l while ago, so I can tell you now that it belongs to ............ My Mum!!! I hope you'll all pop on over & take a lookie ... we've worked hard getting all the links set up, all the important info blogged & a li'l RAK set up ... just to get it all off to a fabulous start!
Go visit Mad Mumma Stampin' now!!

Di's November #3 Sketch

I do love being part of Di's sketch team ... it gives me just the excuse I need to make at least one card every week, even when I'm not feeling creative. And that's usually enough to get my mojo going so I can create more cards all week long. I gave all my christmas cards away ... so I'm starting over for my own stash! LOL. It might seem like a daft thing to do but I quite like making them, so I'm happy to start over.

I thought I'd used all the Fancy Pants Holly Jolly scraps that I had but I found another bunch hidden away in a pizza box (I store my project supplies in them until I'm done ... most of the time they don't get unpacked again for months!) which is OK cuz I love this line ... although you might be sick of them now!!
Lots more machine stitching & a few odd embellies. The snowflake punch is a Stampin' Up! one, now retired I think & I made the crystal swirls using a Crafter's Workshop template that Auntie Jane bought for me last time she visited from the US.

If you haven't already, don't forget to 'follow this blog' (there's a link up at the top right), there'll be a RAK at the end of the month for all my followers!

Sew Far Sew Good

I have been a busy li'l bee this weekend working on a custom order for an etsy customer & cutting loadsa li'l felty things for my new Misi store, here in the UK. You might remember the li'l pink camera case that I made myself back in August ... & now I have been asked to make them in lilac & blue too ... OMG! I think I might need a lilac one now! LOL

So I made a few extra to list on the Misi store ... have you joined the forums there yet? There's a fab li'l community building!
I also made a bunch of these cute li'l ribbon flowers ... soooo pretty I think. I had quite a lot of this ribbon left from a previous project (some time ago now) & I didn't think I was going to use it again, then I spied these cloisonne beads in my pink bead jar (oh yes! I have an entire jar just for pink beads!!) & the flowers just came together after that! The 'petals' are wired on the outer edge, so you can manipulate them to the perfect puffiness!
There should be a whole bunch of li'l Christmas softies tomorrow ... if I get them finished ... Can you say tree decorations????

Deanne's November 15th Sketch

Loved working with Deanne's new sketch ... although it did take a li'l while to get everything to come together. I really wanted to shabby everything up for this one, so I had a bit of a play with some different techniques.

I used papers from Fancy Pants Crush line & the ledger paper is Holly Jolly. I sanded the edges of all the papers & for the journaling mat I used a distressing tool (remember the Making Memories distressing kit???) to shabby up the right hand edge - I created the torn notebook effect on the left edge by making holes with a cropadile & then tearing out from the holes to the edge ... then I inked it all up!
The photos were cut leaving a white border, roughed up with the distressing tool & then inked. I machine stitched the ribbons in place ... check out the printed leaves twill - it's Cosmo Cricket ... from the Mr Campy line.
I inked the chipboard flourish with olive pastel chalk ink (love chalk inks) & then aged the edge with chestnut roan chalk ink. The 'stems' were painted with crackle paint & then aged with chestnut roan too. I added a twist of rusty wire (scrapbook safe stuff that I've had lying around for 3 years!!) & the blossoms are made up from Prima Artful Collage, Kaisercraft (taupe)& self adhesive pearls (I used Blush)
I broke out the acrylic paint & my old foam stamps for the title ... haven't used them for ages either! If you got the september embellie kit, you'll have one of these fabric tabs (to the left of the bottom left photo) too - i just swiped with a bit of ink to make it look less 'new'

Do You SU! ???

Someone close to me (emotionally & geographically) is about to join the Stampin' Up family ... not saying who until it's all official - & no, it's not me ... I'm not allowed cuz I own a craft business (*insert sad face smilie here*). Although, I have to say with the hassles the webstore is causing me, I'm sorely tempted to jack it all in & sign up with SU! myself! LOL.
Anyway, I have been busy helping this lady to build her very first blog & she has asked me to contribute to it when it goes live - of course, I said yes!! The very first SU! personal blog with a 'design team' LOL. It also means I get to play with her kit ... & have the odd workshop/party of course.
I have long been a fan of SU! & I place the blame for that squarely at the feet of my US & Canadian friends who have been showing off SU! goodies on their blogs for as long as I have been blurfing. So I dug out the few SU! bits that I have ... most are retired & I'm not sure they were ever available in the UK & had a bit of a play. I just wanted to brush up on the basics ... I've not stamped much for a li'l while. all stamped images are copyright Stampin' Up.

Supplies: Card blanks, sentiment stamp: A Muse; Printed Twill: Cosmo Cricket; Buttons: Dovecraft; Markers, twine, cardstock, stamp set: SU!; Colorbox chalk ink (Chestnut Roan)
Supplies: Card Blanks, Sentiment Stamp: A Muse; Ribbons from stash; Colorbox chalk ink (Chestnut Roan); Markers, stamp set: SU!
Supplies: Sentiment Stamp: A Muse; Ribbons from stash; Violet Love Notes, Cardstock, Markers, Stamp Set: SU!

Luuuurve the Love Notes ... they are soooo dinky at about 3" square. They are only available in white/cream now but I think I'm gonna need a ton of them!
Keep a lookout on the blog ... as soon as it's all official I shall give you the link to the SU! lady's blog ... I think she's gonna kick off with a li'l RAK! Gotta love a freebie.
If you haven't joined my followers (top right of the blog), please do to be in with a chance of winning a RAK at the end of the month ... & to have the latest updates delivered right to your dashboard!!

Well It's Not All Bad!

I'm having trouble with the webstore (yes, again!!) & as it has only been back open for a week, it's close to the time when I have to think whether it is time to pack it in. It isn't completely broken ... but after things are added to the shopping cart, the process won't complete. I can't fix it ... don't know how.
I have a note on the homepage to let people know that they can still shop, but they need to e-mail the shopping cart to me so that I can paypal invoice them & manually remove the items from inventory - such a long & tedious task. But no-one seems to be doing that & let's face it, if it's too much hassle wouldn't you shop somewhere that isn't? I know I would!
Anyway, I had a lovely e-mail from a lady called Emma a couple days ago. She's a WAHM who has just started a new business venture called MISI. MISI (Make It - Sell It) is sorta like Etsy but in GBP (£) & UK based, so much better for us Brits. So yup! you guessed it ... I have a MISI store now too.
But Misi is soooo much more than a marketplace (although you'll want to check that out ... some gorgeous stuff there!) it is an entire crafting community ... & completely free to join! There are forums, blogs & shopping - all in the one place. You can search by category, showing you all the goodies from a variety of stores (like having a personal shopper! LOL), 'meet' the sellers in the forums & blurf to your heart's content. You can create a friends list, contact sellers direct & see who is online in real time!
And if you are a seller, there are free stores with custom domain names, free listings until January 2009, free store design (banners, backgrounds & avatars), paypal enabled & all you pay is a modest commission on the items you sell ... so absolutely no risk!!!
So come check us out at MISI ... & while you are there, why don't you register (for free). See you on the boards!

Don't forget to join my followers (link at the top of the blog) ... there's goodies up for grabs at the end of the month!!

Di's November #2 Sketch

As much as I love Di's sketches, I found this one a bit of a struggle & I'm not entirely sure I like the end result. I just isn't how I saw it in my head IYGWIM. It was definitely a great one to use up a bunch of scraps & odd embellies tho!

There's a li'l bit of Teen Chic paper there & the rest is basically odd bits that I had lying around on my desk. I think I'm gonna have to clear it up soon ... the scraps just seem to keep going on forever!
Check out Di's sketch - & if you do something with it, do drop me a comment - I'd love to see it!

Easily Distracted! LOL

I was supposed to be working on a bunch of these journaling spots, which I also have for sale on Etsy. That meant my desk had allsorts of interesting stuff on it ... Journaling stamps, inkpads, smooth white cardstock. How could any normal (!) person not be distracted?

So I took a break to play & this is what I came up with. Maybe I'm getting old but I'm definitely finding myself drawn more and more to vintage, shabby chic, ephemera, collage ... & anything as old as I am! I'm gonna put some of these online when I've made a bunch more. I'm thinking £1.25 (around $2 USD) for 12 - what do you think? Is that reasonable?
I shall probably pretty mine up a li'l bit ... maybe a strategically placed flower or two, some pearls nestled into the loops at the ends of the scrolls but the ones online will be just like these, all ready for use or altering.
So do you want some for free? Don't forget to sign up as one of my followers on this blog & there will be some up for grabs at the end of the month (with a few other goodies too I'd expect!)

More Chocolate!

Another bunch of thank you cards to send out with orders from the webstore & etsy store. I have totally used up my stocks again ... in fact these are also already on their way! LOL. Technically, most of these are not, in fact, entirely made from scrap - there is a paper or two in the collection that I probably wouldn't use on a layout & they have been reserved just for cards.
The card blanks are made from scraps: the offcuts from the calendar pages in this book & some of the other papers are left over from Nina's guest book. I'm using up the die cuts too ... I'll never get through them all otherwise! LOL.

I've taken a few close ups: In this first one , you can see the card panel is distressed, a length of ribbon put in place & then both pieces sewn into position. A stamped sentiment & inked die cuts were added, the smaller one raised on foam pads. The backgrounds were all made in the same way: distressed panels, a length of ribbon & machine stitching ... all done conveyor belt style. This next example covers a mistake or two *smiles*. The patterned card was too dark to show the stamped sentiment, which is hidden under the tag, so all the cards with this pattern have sentiment tags. These are easy to make in bulk too ... simply cut strips of card, stamp the sentiment, cut into tags, round the left side corners & distress the right edge before inking. I used 12" long strips & was able to create 4 tags at a time from them. The tag was stitched on, a die cut added along with a Kaiser flower (love these!) & Kaiser pearls (love these too!!)
For this example, I've just stitched the tag & added a flower & pearl ... v. simple but kinda elegant, I thought.
The patterned card on these ones (scraps) is embossed, so doesn't need much embellishment. I used a butterfly die cut & just curled the wings upward before attaching on foam pads. The body was embellished with Kaiser pearls
I only made 12 this time, so I guess there will be another batch-made-thank-you post coming before too long. I'm thinking maybe black & red ... I have just the right papers in mind!

MMMMMmmmmmm Chocolate!

SEI Jolie Chocolat, that is. I bought this paper pack when it first came out I think - with absolutely no idea what I would do with it. But it is gorgeous & girly & sparkly & I neeeeeded it! & it has butterflies! LOL. A li'l while ago, Nina asked me if I'd make her wedding guest book (I have a BIA & she doesn't) & I just knew these papers would be perfect. So last night she (finally) came to pick it up ... & now she has seen it, I'm ready to share with you. It didn't exactly go to plan (a common story!) ... I decided on the pages first (pink record cards) & then I didn't have any covers the right size - what with record cards not being a standard mini-book size. So I cut a bracket shape & made the front cover smaller than the back ... good save huh? You can just see that I've inked the edges of every page (front & back) ... nearly lost the will to live - it gets a bit tedious after the first 10 or so. The front page is a mix of SEI stickers, paper (inked, of course) & Upsy Daisy rub ons, with a couple odd buttons from my stash. I did think about embellishing each page with a butterfly or two & then decided against it ... I didn't want to put anyone off writing in it!!

Maybe I'll make a wedding card with the same papers ... what do you think?

Laura's Sketch #12

Another great sketch at 2S4U this week. I'd actually already decided to use these papers for my next card, left over from Nina's wedding album (post about that coming soon!), before I saw the sketch. Spookily, that means that, like Laura, I have a butterfly theme going on. It does mean that my card is an awful lot like hers, bar the colour ... but I love it, so I guess it's OK.

As well as the Jolie Chocolat papers & die cuts, I've used kaisercraft pearls & flowers, A heidi swapp felt butterfly & american crafts ribbon ... rather pleased with that bow: 'twas a pig to get right but I love the puffiness of it. Note to self: plain ribbons are easier to tie ... you don't have to manipulate them to get the pattern face up! LOL
I've included a close up of the flower detail ... mostly for the li'l butterfly. It's really easy to make but looks kinda cool. I punched two butterflies from patterned paper (The punch is by SU! ... retired now I think), stapled them together & gently curled up the top wings before sticking into position.

CCAYR November Challenge ... part deux!

I needed to do one more card for the Christmas Cards All Year Round November challenge but as I'd almost used these scraps up, I thought I might just make one more! LOL. So that's 6 cards this month!

Both are patchwork cards again & if I just had a proper sized sewing machine I'd have sewn the papers. I have one of those li'l hobby machines & you have to bend the card up to get it on to the bed ... anyway, faux stitching! The gingham ribbons are machine stitched & the end held in place by the snowflake embellie.
For my last card I have layered the ribbons on top of each other (great way to hide DST under organza ribbons). See how those paper scraps are really quite small this time? I ran an ink pad over the top of the ribbed cardstock to create the blue stripes & attached 2 snowflake sequins (more of that stash that I never use!!) with mini brads. I added a couple of the teeniest shaped buttons over the snowflake artwork on the tag & raised the word strips with foam pads ... & that's about it!
If you wanted to see the other cards I made for this challenge, go here.
As we are still early in the month, I might manage a few more cards for Christmas ... & there's still tags, gifts & decorations to do ... happy days!

Di's November #1 Sketch

Here's my DT card for Di Hickman's latest sketch. This was a really easy one for using up scraps! I've used Bo Bunny Teen Chic papers but I guess you are going to be seeing them a few more times yet ... these scraps seem to be going on forever!! Be sure to check out the other DT card & snag yourself Di's free digi files ~ they are only free for a li'l while!

It's Lonely on the Blog!

I've just added the 'followers' gadget to the blog & now I'm waiting for some stalkers ... errrrrm followers I mean! LOL.
One of the best thing about this blogging lark, is 'meeting' new people & all the relationships that we form - just by sharing our thoughts, snippets of our lives & lots of our own crafty moments. I've been using google reader for a while ... following is even better. I don't have to remember to check my reader, all the updates are right there on my blogger dashboard.
& if you follow me, I'll come visit & maybe add you to my reader ... or follow your blog if you are set up for that. Cool huh? I'm pretty sure you can also follow even if you don't have a blog of your own!
AND to celebrate my latest technological breakthrough (OK, I just clicked the button! LOL) ... I'm gonna do a random draw at the end of the month for everyone who is following me - not sure how many winners there will be, I'm gonna wait see how many followers I have first.
Check out the DT's blog too - we are having a random drawing there too!

CCAYR November Challenge

The November challenge at Christmas Cards All Year Round is a simple recipe:
Use 2 buttons, 2 ribbons & 2 snowflakes to make a card - or 5 cards if you want to enter the monthly draw. So far, I have four done, so it's looking good for getting the 5 done again this month. (Go me!!)

I had a search thru my Christmas stash - these papers & artwork are all from HOTP cardmaker's kits (1-2 years old), the ribbons were already on my desk (I have a jar full of gingham ones, which I have been using a lot recently) & I dug out a bunch of odd embellies packed away last year (mostly magazine freebies). The first card has snowflake artwork & a snowflake border & ribbon attached with double sided tape - nice 'n easy!
Next up: this patchwork card is entirely made from the small scraps that I won't throw away but really build up quickly!! I just covered the card with squares/rectangles & trimmed the overhang & then added faux stitching to create a 'patchwork'. The rub ons didn't show up too well on the blue area of the background, so I added some li'l dots with a white pen (I'm still using a white sharpie, now discontinued), just to the word 'snow' to higlight it - I love happy accidents! LOL. The lace was part of a pack sitting on my desk too - I'd used all the white but the lilac was still there & just right I thought. I added a few gems to the gingham ribbon - just cuz I can.
This card uses a few of the embellies that I normally never use: the embossed silver cardstock frame & puffy fabric snowflake but I have to say I quite like it. The blue snowflake in the middle is a brad & although it looks like just one ribbon, the faux bow is actually a darker, wider gingham ribbon. Sentiment by A Muse.
This last card also uses a bunch of stash that has been lying around for a couple years - again, the die cut, embossed silver panel & white mini-corrugated card are all things I usually wouldn't use but came as freebies & have been squirreled away ever since. I've used another snowflake brad here too, A Muse sentiment & ric rac from the same pack as the lace (Rusty Pickle, Guinevere).

So that's my 4 cards ... & I'll be back with the fifth before the end of the month!

17 Ways to Say 'Thank You'

Deanne posted a fabulous sketch or two a couple days ago & I thought this one was just right to make a whole bunch of Thank You cards. Normally I create one-off cards but as I include a li'l thank you with every order at the webstore, I get through a lot! LOL.
The benefit of batch-making cards is you can create them assembly line style ... completing one step at a time on several cards. I make 5-10 at a time, using whatever scraps I have on hand. Why not have a go yourself & get ahead on all those thank you cards you'll need for the gifts received & party hosts over the Christmas holidays.
If you'd like to see the supply lists, tutorial etc - check it out on the store blog!!

2S4U DT Entry

Here, as promised a couple week's back is the scheduled post in which I share the cards I made for the 2 Sketches 4 You DT Call. Obviously, at the time of writing, I had no idea whether these were winning cards or not ... either way, I really like them so I don't actually lose IYGWIM.

This first one is based on Laura's sketch & immediately made me think pleated paper: I sanded along the edges of every pleat to expose the white core & then gently sanded the top to pick up all the ridges where the pleats layer beneath the surface. The pleated panel is machine stitched to the card, close to the edge of each pleat. Plenty of sanding on the other papers too - love shabby style! Here you'll see a lot of the papers & elements I've been playing with recently - cuz, as you know, I like to use the scraps from my desk for card making. The bird is a Heidi Swapp XL Ghost & I've just highlighted it by dry-brushing beige acrylic on the back. The rhinestones are from Kaiser ... this was my first play with them ~ oh my! I love them!!
The second card is based on Kazan's sketch. I saw the line at the bottom, presumably for a sentiment & thought of creating a slit to tuck the top flap into. Lots of black ink on this one, which I don't use so often, cuz I wanted to pick up the polka dot paper as a feature. A different pile of scraps for this one (still from my desk! LOL), this time Bo Bunny Teen Chic & a Fancy Pants Die Cut, from the Jolly Holly range. The Kaiser rhinestones also adhere really well to velvet ric rac! This last pic shows the card open & yes, it will stand on the point!
So that was my DT entry & by the time you read this, I'll know whether I made the team ... exciting times huh?
A li'l update: So I didn't make the team ... but I love doing the sketches & there's always next time, right?