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????