Pins & Needles

This week's dare from Daring Cardmakers set by Jane
"I want you to design a card to any theme- but I want you to include pins or needles of some sort. Sewing needles, safety pins, dressmakers pins- any type of pin goes !"
Background is Bazzill Card covered with a torn piece of Daisy Bucket paper (my favourite of the moment) frayed a piece of Aida and stitched on some buttons and the word "SEW". Left the needle and thread attached. Stamped flourish stamp from HOTP in red.

This is quite an appropriate card for me this week as I am off tomorrow to the "Pins and Needles" show at Newcastle Radio Arena - the show is on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and I am working on the "Purple Elephant" stand (L4) with my crafty mate Lorraine. If you are coming to the show please pop by and say hello, we would love to chat with you - and if you are not coming to the show - WHY NOT!!!!!
So I am afraid there will be no more posts on my blog until next week.

Ta Ra.....for now!!

Blooming Amazing

Nothing much on telly tonight and I am still having withdrawal symptoms for "Dancing on Ice" so I found myself having a little flick through Crafty Blogs when I came across Crafty Storage with lots of great ideas for storage.

Then I came across photos of Kim Reygate's studio and wow - my little crafty place feels like a pokey corner and I thought I was organised - place for everything and everything in it's place. You have to take a peek....it's mind blowing...mind you I wouldn't like to dust it or have a tidy day..you wouldn't know where to start.

New Look

Well folks - this is the new look....I decided that I didn't like the old background..dark and gloomy so decided to go light and airy...hope you like it!!!!!

Fab's BCC - March

I think this must be Card No 3 for
Fab's Challenge.
Well my excuse is that it is raining cats and dogs outside - even the dog doesn't want to go out - so out with the crafty bits and pieces and play. This is a more traditional Christmas card but I love the rich red of the background which offsets the oval which I edged with a Gold Krylon pen.
papers from Papercraft 4 You
decoupage from Craft Creations
heart and sentiment stamps - See D's

Arty Girlz Challenge

Another card for this week's Arty Girlz challenge. I made this card using "Henrietta" image and papers from the Little Fleurs Collection from Pink Petticoat This puts me in the mood for summer days and Neapolitan ice cream...we wish!!

Fab's B.C.C. - March

Another card for Fab's challenge.

Papers from Paper Adventures - "Holiday Joy"

Santa's outfit - Hero Arts stamps.

Circles and Wording cut with Quickutz.

Arty Girlz Challenge

The Arty Girlz Challenge this week was to include CHOCOLATE..... paper, flowers, ribbon etc but only using one other colour apart from white.I had great fun making this card - it really sums up how I feel about CHOCOLATE ..."I share anything apart from chocolate". The papers are from HOTP, the ribbon from Poppicrafts and the flower is Heidi Grace. The girl is just a wooden circle decorated with a rub-on face and some curly hair. Do you know that the PERFECT MAN should be like chocolate...

STRONG.......DARK.......and very very RICH !!

Fab's B.C.C. - March

Here is my card for the March challenge - I think I just made the February challenge by the skin of my teeth so was determined to get this one done in plenty of time. Pink paper is from Craftwork Cards - Winter Wonderland Collection. I made the Snowgirl from a template I found in a magazine, the snowflakes and wording are Ranger "Pop-it" shapes sprinkled with glitter. Quite appropriate for the weather we are having in Aberdeen at the moment - she wouldn't feel out of place.

Have you heard of PSP

No...well neither had I but Glenda Waterworth from Artylicious has a member of her family suffering from this illness. Please visit this link to help make more people aware of PSP and as a thank you, you can download free some gorgeous Artylicious paper from Glenda's new CD due to be released soon. It will only take a few minutes of your time.

Bitten by the Bug

This was indeed a challenge from Bitten by the Bug to make a Baby Girl card (pink & Lime) and a Baby Boy card (blue & Lime) using Cricut machine and ribbon. I used George & Basic Shapes for the circles, stars and alphabet, Bazzill Cardstock, inking the edges to give a bit of definition, ribbon bows and a little bit of doodling.

Fab's Big Christmas Challenge - February

Woke up this morning to snowy Aberdeen and it reminded me of Christmas and that I hadn't made my card for Fab's BCC - great idea..make a card on the 25th of each month - what a way to beat the christmas rush. Well here it is..just in time for the February challenge. The paper and image are from "doodle-icious christmas" by guess who..."Pink Petticoat" of course with a few gems added for holly berries.

Two Pressies in One Day

How lucky am I - two pressies in one day. Gorgeous All Butter Fudge from Elaine when she came to pick up her card order. Do I never learn - I've just lost a tooth and as you can see I've been scoffing already. From a certain supermarket (no advertising here...Sa..sb..ys) - to die for - you've gotta get some.

Hey I've got an award

Arte Y Pico (Art and More Award)
I am tickled pink I received this award from Kerry at Curly Girly Me. Thank you so much. The "Arte Y Pico" (Art & More) is given to bloggers who share their art and creativity making their contribution to the blogger world.
The rules!
1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5) To show these rules.
There are so many fabulous blogs out there that I love to read. This is a hard choice, but I have decided to give this award firstly to someone who inspires me constantly with her creativity Liz (Pink Petticoat); Juliet (Juliet's Paper Palace) and for my last three I have decided to give the award to like me "new kids on the blog" Martine (the Craft Table); TracieJane (pink angel) and Karen (artyPartyNI).

I just wish that I could have given it to all you bloggers out there who share your love of crafting and inspiration with us all.

Love you xxxxx

One of those days!!!!!

You know when you get up in the morning that it's going to be one of those days - the snow is snowing..the wind is blowing and I've got a raging toothache. Have managed to get an appointment with the dentist at lunchtime - I think this will be one less tooth in the collection. Never mind every cloud has a silver lining - the postman has just delivered my parcel of goodies from Poppicrafts...lots and lots of fab ribbons and embellishments. Spent the afternoon (minus one tooth) all cosy and toasty tidying out my ribbon stash - all carded up..colour co-ordinated..looks good but me thinks how long will it stay that way.
Happy Easter to all you crafters out there!!

Arty Girlz Doodling Challenge

Had great fun making this card - papers used are Pink Petticoat Big Dots - Mocha - and Funky Hand Warm Cocoa for the flowers (cut out with Cricut) and faux stitched -printed paper ribbon also from Funky Hand. Flourish stamp and brads from HOTP and sentiment topper from Craftwork Cards.
http://www.artygirlzchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

My First Blog Sketch Challenge

Last week was a non-stop card order making week so today I decided it's "ME" time and for fun I am entering my...first ever blog sketch challenge....how does it go....upload photo and insert a link...well here goes...
http://www.carolspaperplayce.blogspot.com/
I made the card with two papers from the Funky Hand "Now That's Funky" CD, "Warm Cocoa" collection, cut out flowers from one paper, a little bit of decoupage and added some gems. The photo really doesn't do the papers justice - they look so textured when they are printed out - I adore them.

March is National Craft Month

Just been having a little poke around at other folks' blogs today and doesn't it just go to show you learn something new everyday. Apparently March is Women's History Month...National Caffeine Awareness Month...Foot Health Month and National Feminine Improvement Month.....can't understand that one.....no improvement necessary to this "already perfect specimen"...but most important of all .....it's National CRAFT Month .......hey gals (and boys) it's like we need a special month when we already CRAFT .... 24/7....365.

Everyone will tell you that crafting is therapeutic and reduces stress but that only works until the credit card bill arrives with all my crafty spends - I'M NOT STRESSED but can't say the same for "grumpy - he who pays the bills".

Crafters of the world UNITE and let's celebrate our special MONTH.

One of Life's Little Challenges

Well today was a challenge - I had 4 cards to make for
a 65th birthday and all for the same person - had to get
the brain into gear and get the creative juices flowing.

Now the brain is working I think I'll chill out with the

Sunday crosswords before the inconsiderate folk I live

with want fed.

Busy..Busy..Busy..but worth it

Busy busy busy.......with card orders today - cards for
football mad guys

and 2 cutie cards. Certainly working with the whole colour

spectrum today. Lots of work but don't they say that hard

work is rewarded.

Two treats arrived in the post.....

My Liz Earle TSV arrived from QVC and a pressie

(Debbie Moore's Metal Magic and stamps) from my

bestest crafty mate....Lorraine...

AREN'T I JUST SPOILT?

Serial Dieter

I made this card for a serial dieter..in other words 99% of us girls who love sweet gooey chocolatey things......yummy!!
Think I need to get a chocolate fix to cheer me up today - I have lost my trusty Fiskars scissors - the tool I can't live without - have searched the house for 2 days and have come to the conclusion that they must have landed in the bin by mistake and are now on their way to that big rubbish skip in the sky. Have searched everywhere and apart from X-raying the dog don't know where else to look. Only a crafter could be near to tears over the loss of a pair of scissors...

Funky Hand Cards

These are the cards I made today with the new "Now That's Funky" CD using three papers from the Misty March Collection - lovely soft muted colours suitable for both male and female cards. Only 497 papers left in the collection still to play with.
http://www.funkyhand.co.uk

Shattered & Battered

Had a great day at the SECC yesterday - lots of fun with Lorraine (my happy coo) spent lots of cash - but got some great things for my stash - lots of 12 x 12 papers especially the new Daisybucket papers which are gorgeous, lots of bling gemstones, the new Bazzill in-stitch'z templates and threads, ribbons, etcetera, etcetera- can't wait to play but seem to have picked up some bug or other coming home on the train - woke this morning with a sore throat and feeling yucky.
CHUFFED to see 2 of my cards on PINK PETTICOAT'S blog, please take a look - http://www.pinkpetticoat.co.uk/ and click on blog.
Pink Petticoat are one of my favourites with modern, funky and inspirational papers and stamped images available to download or on CD. More news and pics when I'm feeling better.

A Special Anniversary

A card for a very special couple
Alan & Irene Tough who celebrate their
60th Wedding Anniversary
on 5th March

Sending love and best wishes on your Special Day.

Splash the Cash

Well no posting for a while - off to the SECC for the Hobbycrafts Show. Looking forward to meeting up with all you other craft nutters out there, especially my Fiskars Crafty Mate Lorraine. Pity Karen won't be there but hopefully we can meet up soon at the "long awaited Training Day".

And of course, what an excuse to splash the cash..."do you really need anymore stuff?" I hear my other half say." What a daft question to ask a crafter.
"DON'T NEED IT - JUST WANT IT".

What a Day

The new slideshow is now up and running but I can tell you not without blood, sweat and tears. Those of you who know me will not be surprised - the world's No 1 technophobe. What was intended to be a well planned day went completely out the window. I had set aside the morning to get this job done and ended up finishing around 10pm last night with square eyes. I managed to upload the photos and create the slideshow quite easily (piece of cake me thinks) but when it appeared on my page it was in the wrong place and I couldn't figure out how to move it. Well an angel in disguise came to my rescue - Wendy Foster(Secret Crafter) - she has the same slideshow on her blog so I e-mailed her and it doesn't half restore your faith in human nature but she sent instructions right back and hey presto, we were sorted. Thanks a lot Wendy - just confirms what we all know that crafters are great people.
Now my intention was... to have the afternoon free to play with the new Funkyhand CD - "now that's funky" but I did manage to have a quick look before going to bed - brilliant...brilliant...brilliant..."Anice - what a talented lady you are". You've gotta get it! 18 Colour families with 28 papers in each(500 in total)alphabets, ribbon and sentiment backers.. loads and loads of stuff to play with.
The intention is to have a play today so I will be posting some card pics soon. In the meantime, have a look on her website - http://www.funkyhand.co.uk
And for all you Mums out there...have a great day.