Ginger Pie Designs

Boxes galore!

2012-02-01T18:00:00.000Z

What a fabulous week. I received the most gorgeous gift in the post from my fabulous friend Archi, she's told me she was sending a little something. Little!! It's huge and a totally perfect gift. It's a beautifully decorated box filled with 8 individually wrapped Green & Blacks chocolate bars, each with it's own little gift tag. If you could pack love in a parcel it would look just this. Thank you Archi, you have made my day.

Don't they look like beautiful books when they're stacked like this.

So of course I had to make some cupcakes!! This is the last one as they were demolished in the office!

I also got an honourable mention over at Papercraft Star for my vintage inspired card. Thank you xxx

Just a quick crafting post from me today as I'm off to the ballet to see The Sleeping Beauty by Scottish Ballet in Newcastle and even better the lovely Louisa is coming with me. I told you I was having a good week.

So an eCraft plus some files from SVGcuts is just a dream recipe for making boxes. Especially as these files were a freebie back in December (thank you Mary & Leo). These boxes are made in one cut, so basically they take minutes to make. The texture on the card comes from using Core Impressions that is already pre-embossed.

I was inspired by challenges at:

Just Us Girls - 3D valentine's day

Allsorts challenge - one or more heart
Anything Goes Challenge - to the one I love

How cute is that flower?

Supplies used:

SVG files - one-piece boxes from SVGcuts.com, ramblin' rose from mytimemadeeasy.com

Card - Core'dinations Core Impressions My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Collection

Ribbon - satin ribbon darks pack

Thanks for popping by

Love ya

Ginger

xxx

For Cath (sans CHA) with Love Blog Hop

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000Z

For those of you that have never visited the Moxie Fab World Blog, then you're missing a treat. Cath constantly provides images and products to send your creative brain into overdrive, not only that there are competitions galore. I was lucky enough to meet Cath at CHA a few summers ago and she's as lovely in real life as she is on-line. Unfortunately she can't make it to CHA this week as she's got an injury which means she can't travel, so in true papercrafting spirit it's time to give a little back and a surprise blog hop has been organised for this lovely lady by Virginia.
Here's hoping you're on the mend soon Cath.

I was inspired by challenges at:

CPS - card sketches - 5th anniversary day 2 with Linda Beeson

Sunday Sketch & Stamp - #91

Supplies used (all PTI):

Stamps - through the trees , background basics text style, turning a new leaf

Ink - dark chocolate, ripe avocado

Dies - nestabilities, tiny tags

Paper - green tea leaves collection

Card - kraft, ripe avocado, stampers select white

Twine - rustic jute button twice

With lots of love to Cath

Love ya

Ginger

xxx

Through the Trees

2012-01-30T19:30:00.000Z

No I haven't been out rambling, it's my latest PTI stamp that I've had out of it's wrapper. I told you I was on a mission to get all these new sets inked up. So today it's a quick a simple card, with a more masculine feel. It was inspired by challenges at:

Totally Gorjuss - KISS - keep it simple stupid

Quirky crafts - make a scene

Stamp with fun - #145 sketch

Supplies used - all PTI

Stamps - through the trees, background basics text style

Ink - dark chocolate, ripe avocado, vintage touch tea dye duo

Card - kraft, ripe avocado, spring rain

Buttons - chocolate brown

Twine - bakers twine chocolate, rustic jute button twine

Right, it's back onto the Slimming World eating plan this week. Focus Claire Lesley, you have a bridesmaid dress to fit into in June.

Love ya

Ginger

xxx

A little bit of Kraft

2012-01-29T11:42:00.000Z

As far as I'm concerned you can't beat a little bit of Kraft!! How can that even be a colour, let alone one of my favourite colours!! Seeing as I stocked up when I went to the US in December I'm happily working my way through loads of it at the moment. But I'm sure I'll need more soon plus the matching buttons, oh and the ink!

So I've managed to use some more of my new PTI goodies today. First up is the coverplate quatrefoil die, although I've used it to emboss with rather than as a cutting die. How cool is that, I love anything that's versatile.

This card was inspired by challenges at:

Clean & Simple Stamping - #175

Dutch Dare Card Challenges - buttons galore

Stampin' for the weekend - embossing

ABC challenge - H is for Happy Birthday

Supplies used all PTI:

Card - dark chocolate, kraft

Paper - Pacific Vineyard

Felt - dark chocolate

Dies - quatrefoil coverplate, mega matstack 4, double ended banners, Beautiful Blooms II #1 die collection
Buttons - ripe avocado, dark chocolate
Bakers twine - chocolate

These next little beauties were made the other day when the Lovely Louise Welsh came round for tea. We're normally chatting so much that we don't have time for much crafting but we both made these baby cards, a complete lift from the very talented Melissa Bickford who designed the stamp set. Although we did lose the twine and stamped the washing line and added an extra layer of matting and layering. I made the girl ones and Louise made boy ones. But the following night I decided I needed boy ones too, so made myself a set.
I'm popping them into the challenge at:
Simon says stamp challenge - anything goes
Crafty calendar challenge - new news

Supplies used

Card - kraft, raspberry fizz, ocean tides

Paper - bitty box basics

Ink - true black, raspberry fizz, ripe avocado

Stamps - hanging out, banner builder

Right I'm off to do some cleaning - the joys!!!
Happy days
Love ya
Ginger
xxx

Happy Crafting

2012-01-28T19:10:00.000Z

I'm having a complete guilt free crafting day and it's bliss. I've made a couple of cards and I'm working on a couple of projects that I can't share with you just yet. So this day of relaxation is fabulous but it does mean I'll have a busy day tomorrow, I might even go and do some house hunting!!

So here's what I've made today. I decided it was long overdue that my Speccies had been out, so I grabbed this cute Strawberry Kisses Stamp and inspired by the following challenges here's what I came up with:

Inspirational Card Sketches - #148

Daring Cardmakers - wishi washi - I'm loving making my own washi tape

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Let's see those animals
Sundays with Crissy - beat the mid-winter blues - for me that's donning my boots and going out walking, hence the boot stamp

The flower is cut on the eCraft from Core'diantions Tim Holtz Kraft Core - it's one of my favourite ranges for making these little flowers

Stamps - Strawberry Kisses Together from Crafter's Companion, Sentiment from Through the Trees, back ground basics twinkle by PTI

Dies - Nestabilities from Crafter's Companion, Banner from PTI, 3d flower Laina Lamb spiral flowers SVG from 2 peas in a bucket

Pens - Spectrum Noir (forgot to write the colours down!)

Paper - distressed dots by PTI, Kraft Core

Card blank - Craftwork Cards

This second card has more of a vintage feel. I've used some of the goodies that my gorgeous friend Dougie sent me for Christmas. She always sends me crafting presents that are so beautiful that I can barely stand to use them! I've been inspired by challenges at:

Crazy 4 challenges - layer it on

Totally Papercrafts - pearls and lace

Papercraft Star - Victoriana

I love this sentiment, it just makes me smile. Those little flowers are gorgeous, they're resin but have a flock to give them a soft finish.

Supplies used (lots!!)

Paper - pacific vineyard by PTY

Card - ripe avocado, vintage cream by PTI

Punch - Martha Stewart around the edge

Printed die cuts - Farm House range from October Afternoon

Resin flowers - Maya Road

Stamps - Lock and Key by PTI

Ink - dark chocolate and pure poppy from PTI

As it's Saturday, I want to play along with

over at Marcea's Blog. My offering for this week is Miss 600, I really need to get this bought. Thank you to my lovely friend Archi for bringing this band to my attention, it's just my thing.

So now it's back to doing some crafting - what joy!! I hope you're finding some time to craft too.

Love

Ginger

xxx

Love Me Do

2012-01-27T08:30:00.000Z

I bought this gorgeous set of SVGs from SVGcuts a couple of weeks ago and since then they've been on my "to make list". That list is soooooooooooooooooooo long but these looked so fabulous they jumped the line and me and Edna-May my eCraft machine had a great time making these gorgeous heart boxes. As always a big thank you to Mary & Leo at SVGcuts - you guys make electronic die cutting a doddle and a dream.

So here's my two boxes. As I'm not celebrating Valentine's this year I've used a PTI sentiment stamp to turn this set into a set of gift boxes for a house warming gift or even as a gift when I go visiting. I like to be a good house guest.

I'm popping these projects into challenges at:

My Time To Craft - favourite embellishment - it's bakers twine at the moment

Totally Gorjuss - welcome

Cupcake Craft Challenges - all you need is love

Case study challenge - #75 - that twine got me going!

Charisma Cardz - pretty in pink
Anything goes challenge - to the one I love

Supplies used:

SVGs - Love me do from SVGCuts.com

Paper - Love Letters from First Edition Papers

Card - Core'dinations

Stamps - Love Lives Here from PTI

Ink - true black and raspberry fizz from PTI

Yeah it's nearly the weekend, although I have a trade catalogue to proof read this weekend, so not too sure how much time I'll have to play with paper and glue but hopefully I'll get a card or two made.

Have a great weekend.

Love ya

Ginger

xxx

Happy Birthday

2012-01-26T22:30:00.000Z

As part of my plan to be more organised and actually send birthday cards this year, I thought I'd get ahead and make some cards ready to send. So paired with my ongoing quest to use all of my new PTI stamps, sooner rather than later, I made these 4 cards. The scalloped border is actually the heart border die cut twice.
I'm popping this card into the challenges over at:

Cute Card Thursday - you're a gem
Papertake Weekly - happy highlights - decoupaged banners and glittered letters

Supplies used (nearly all PTI)

Stamps - banner builder, big birthday wishes, tiny tags

Dies - banner builder, tiny tags, heart border

Card - aqua mist, raspberry fizz, spring moss

Ink - spring moss, aqua mist, true black

Ribbon - aqua mist saddle stitch, rustic cream button twine

Letter - making memories glitter alphabet

So now the cards are made, I need to find/make some envelopes, make a list of birthdays and then remember to send the cards! It's a tall order but at least I've made a start!!

Thanks for visiting.

Love ya
Ginger
xxx

Papertrey Ink January Blog Hop

2012-01-25T22:35:00.001Z

Today is the day for January Papertrey Ink blog hop and after my trip to America in December I'm still working through all my new PTI goodies!! I think it'll take me until my next visit to get through all of them but I am making a concious decision to get ink on at least some of my new stamps.

So the challenge this month is:

This month, in honor of the New Year, we are challenging you to pick your favorite project from 2011 and share it with all of us. To take it a step further, you are challenged to create a second card that is inspired by the favorite project you select. Your new version of an old favorite could carry over the color scheme, the layout or the stamp sets. We look forward to seeing your best creations from 2011, as well as your first projects from 2012!

Here's one of my favourites that I managed to share on my blog last year:

I still like the layout of this card, so I've used some old/existing stamps but also integrated some new stamps into my new project and gone for a different but still bold colour theme.

Supplies used (all Papertrey Ink):

Stamps - mat stack collection 3, tag-its #10

Dies - mat stack 3, layerz mat stack 3

Ink - raspberry fizz, spring moss, aqua mist

Card - raspberry fizz, spring moss, stampers select white

Paper - Funky Town

Ribbon - Hawaiian shore

I'm also popping this into the challenge at:
Creative Inspirations - #147 anything goes
Stamptacular Sunday - seeing spots

I'm now off to blog hop and know I'll be blown away with all the gorgeous creations from my fellow PTI fans.

Thank you for hopping by.

Love ya

Ginger

xxx

Marvellous Monday

2012-01-23T22:20:00.001Z

It's not often you say that about Monday's is it! But I woke up at my sisters which means I got a snuggle from my niece Abi before leaving for work. Then on my way over to Preston I saw the Beluga plane coming into land at Broughton, it's amazing to think something so huge can actually fly, it just seems to hang in the air. Whenever I see it it makes me smile.

It was lovely to see Ann and Anne-Marie over at Preston and of course it would have been rude to leave without a little shopping. Sometimes I just love a kit where all I have to do is stick it all together, which is lovely when they're such pretty colours. I made 8 cards tonight.

I'm popping this card into challenges at:
Sir Stampalot - monochromatic
One Stop Craft Challenge - under the weather (to be sent to a friend who has been poorly)

This one I'm entering into the challenge at:
Ooh-la-la-creations challenges - seeing double

So after Preston it was back to the office but not before seeing double rainbows and fighter jets. I told you it was a good day.
Unfortunately my dinner plans were curtailed as poor Michelle has a poorly leg, so hoping she's sorted soon.
But it did mean I got to play with paper and glue instead - every cloud :-)
I hope your Monday has been as exciting as mine.

Love ya
Ginger
xxx

Family, friends and favourites

2012-01-22T23:48:00.000Z

What an amazing weekend. Friday night I baked. First I tried 2 recipes from my new Green & Blacks chocolate cook book (thank you Gwyneth), a crispy nutty thin chocolate brownie and chocolate muffins with chocolate frosting. Then back to a favourite, sweet mincemeat muffins. Success all round.

As some of the mincemeat muffins were for a gift I thought I'd better make a box to pop them in so using some files from www.svgcuts.com (big boutique boxes and my mom's attic) and a tag from Jen Allyson Celebrates image card and my eCraft machine I went from this

To this

My 4 muffins suddenly look like a great gift thanks to some packaging.

I've popped this into the following challenges:
Daring cardmakers - Kitchenallia
Saturday Challenge - food and drink

Talking about packaging when you're off to meet one of your favourite 5 year olds (especially one that you haven't seen in far too long), you need the cutest box to pop some choccies in, so yet again your eCraft comes into its own, especially with some more files from www.svgcuts.com

I'm popping this into the challenge over at:
The Crafty Pad - something for the boys

the gift definitely worked - look at his happy face and I was rewarded with cuddles galore :-)

So after crafting group, I went back to Gwyneths for a a gorgeous hot shell massage, a delicious indian take away and great italian red wine (thank you Robert), before leaving on Sunday morning to go to my sisters. I had a great day with my family. My cutie patootie niece is full of giggles and smiles and kept me entertained all day.

I'm back to work in the morning with a meeting in Preston then back to the office for a rest!! I hope you've all had a great weekend.

Love ya

Ginger

xxx

My Year of Adventure

2012-01-19T22:21:00.000Z

Last year ended up being my year of change, with one thing and another but that's left me with 2012 being my year of adventure. I intend taking every opportunity that I can to experience everything I want to. I started off with a little prelude and spent Christmas skiing in France. Yes I flew off on my own. I can highly recommend it, as I had a fabulous time and met some wonderful new friends. I saw the New Year in Leeds with new friends and spent last weekend with friends I met last year, walking in Derbyshire.

So all invitations for adventures are welcome, so far I have planned:

a days bootcamp

a day with birds of prey

another weeks skiing

dancing weekends

off to watch the ballet

booked tickets to go to the theatre on my own

my sister's getting married

lots of crafting

So on that note here's some cards that I made tonight:

I've had a great night with Edna May my eCraft machine. The files are from the lovely and wonderfully talented Mary & Leo at www.SVGcuts.com . They make die cutting and projects toooooooooo easy. Thank you guys xxx.

I'd promise to update my blog more but adventures take up a lot of time!

Love

Ginger

xxx

Off to the NEC

2011-11-02T22:56:00.000Z

What a day! Office, warehouse, office, warehouse and that was before setting off to the NEC!! Ah well, it all turned out fabulously in the end and we had a good set up. Best of all we got together for dinner and you can see how it started!

And this is what followed!

Just a snack then!

Here's one of the pieces I've made to go on my eCraft display for the show. I love the fact that I can cut these cute flowers in and size I want. This time I went small and opted to use Tim Holtz Kraft Core, it works so well with these flowers, as you can see the kraft core on the back.

Apologies for the reflection, taking a photo of a frame is a little too technical for me!

Supplies used:

eCraft electronic die cutter

SVG files- Laina Lambs spiral flowers (2peas in a bucket)

Card - Tim Holtz Kraft Core (Crafter's Companion)

Embossing folder - swirls (Darice at Crafter's Companion)

Now Sarah from Beader's Companion is quite taken with it, so I'll have to keep an eye on it!!

Inspired by challenges at:

Just us girls - #108, decorate/alter a frame

Papertake Weekly - anything goes

Also the inspiration for flowers in a frame came from Kolette Hall on her Just Giving class and Big Picture Scrapbooking.

Another thing that has made me smile today is the fact that over at Creative Inspirations, I've made their top 3 for my Halloween goodies. Thanks for choosing my project.

So on that bit of news I'm off to bed as I'm sure it'll be a busy day tomorrow.

Love Ginger

xxx

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T21:01:00.000Z

Seeing as I've got all the sweets and my lovely little cauldron I thought I'd better carve some pumpkins to let people know we've got treats for Halloween. Believe it or not I've got to 41 years old before tackling a pumpkin! But with the help of my eCraft it was a doddle. I cut out a bat and a pumpkin face and used them as templates.

Such fun. We've had lots of trick and treaters, all of them dressed up, so I've happily handed out lots of my spooky treats. A few left for us too, even better.

With so much spooky fun there's just one little card to share with you tonight. I've gone completely clean and simple, but I'm loving the touch of felt that I think lifts the whole card. I love the fact that the dies and the stamps work so perfectly together.

Supplies used:
Card - kraft (PTI)
Stamps - delightful dahlias (PTI)
Ink - true black (PTI)
Dies - PTI

Inspired by challenges at:
Daring cardmakers - fantastic felties
Stamptacular Sunday - borders and frames
Clean & Simple stamping - #164
Charisma Cardz - anything goes

As I'm off the the NEC for the craft show on Wednesday it might be a quiet blog week for me but I'll update when I get back if I don't get chance whilst I'm away.

Love Ginger
xxx

It took a week!

2011-10-30T23:02:00.001Z

Yes this little card took nearly a week to make!! I made the wood paper on Monday after watching Make It Monday #38: Brayer & Impression Plate Techniques over at Nichole Heady's blog. Then I was busy getting spooky and making samples for my demo at Coleman's Craft Warehouse yesterday. So it then sat there until today! But with the help of my new Sizzix stamp & die-cut set (thank you Fiona xx) I knew exactly where I wanted to make.

Hero Art dies and Sizzix matching dies, what's not to love.

I even cut the paper up to make floor boards. Inspired by the technique I made my "wallpaper" using a Sizzix embossing folder with sweet blush ink. It's a great way to add further dimension to your cards.

Supplies used:

Card - Kraft, vanilla cream, ripe avocado PTI

Ink - dark chockalet, sweet blush PTI

Stamps - Think of you (from UP, Up and Away) PTI, chair and chandelier Hero Arts/Sizzix

Embossing folders - Woodgrain PTI, pattern Sizzix

Dies - Sizzix

Inspired by challenges at:

Make it Monday - #38 brayer & impression plate technique

Sweet stampin challenge - anything goes

Totally Gorjuss - I remember (the stamps remind me me of the lovely Fiona)

The Craft Pad - Friendship (this card is off to a friend of mine)

As I was out all day yesterday I didn't get chance to post my Music Saves my Soul.

So here's my offering for this week. As a kid I loved Suzi Quattro! So as it's nearly Halloween, here's Devil Gate Drive

I never had enough pocket money to buy records but loved this when it came on the radio!

Right I'd better go and tidy my craft room as it's back to work in the morning and a busy, busy week.

Love Ginger

xxx

Even Spookier!

2011-10-28T09:15:00.000+01:00

So with all the Halloween treats that I've made I needed something to pop them in to. So with the help of my eCraft machine and some files from SVGcuts.com I decided to have a go and make a cauldron. I love what you can make from card:

So to get this you just

Cut some pieces of card

A little bit of embossing with my trusty Big Shot (I think I might need to treat myself to some new cutting plates!)

Loving this new Darice cobweb embossing folder

And of course I wouldn't be without by Sand It Gadget or my Dust Buddy

So what does it make? This fabulous cauldron, that's sturdy enough to stuff (and I mean stuff) full of all your Halloween treats.

I just love it.

Here's the full ensemble. As you can see I got a little carried away and made chocolate bar wrappers, sweet bag toppers and even a little cobwebby lamp to go with my triangle treats from yesterday and the cobweb cauldron.

Now all we have to do it hope all the chocolate and sweets don't get nibbled before Monday night!

Supplies used

eCraft SD cards - Jen Allyson celebrates, year of celebrations

SVG files - cauldon and chocolate bar wrappers, party on Elm Street (SVGcuts.com), lapm and pyramid boxes (Lettering Delights)

Card - Core'dinations, including Black Magic

Sparkle - Spray & Sparkle iridescent

I'm popping this into the challenge over at:
Sir Stampalot - Food Glorious Food
Charisma Cardz - anything goes

So if that's Halloween done, I'd better get working on Christmas!

Love Ginger

xxx

Starting to get Spooky

2011-10-27T23:20:00.001+01:00

As it's nearly Halloween I thought I'd get crafting a few bits and pieces. I've had a fabulous time with my eCraft, from making the boxes to decorating them. Don't you just love that from a piece of card and a few sweets you go from this:

An empty little box

To something a little more tempting

With the help of eCraftShop Pro you go from screen to ...

... all cut out to ...

... these cute little decorated boxes filled with sweets.

How cute is the teeny tiny little spider?

As you can see there's a few more bits but I'll share those tomorrow.

Supplies used:

eCraft SD cards - Jen Allyson designs, a year of celebrations

SVG files- pyramid boxes (Lettering Delights)

Card - Core'dinations

Sparkle - Spray and Sparkle iridescent

These were inspired by challenges at:
Creative Inspirations - Colour challenge, black, orange and purple
Fab 'n' Funky Challenges - #96 hubble bubble, toil and trouble
Allsorts - Halloween

Now what can I cut out next!!

Love Ginger

xxx

Music Saves My Soul

2011-10-23T19:54:00.001+01:00

The lovely Marcea shares her favourite tracks on her blog every Saturday.

This week I've managed to get my butt into gear and join in. I knew which artist I wanted to pick but choosing a track was the difficult bit. As the girls who were away with me last weekend know I'm loving Imelda May just now. Any girl that can wear yellow and completely pull it off has my full respect! Not only that she has the most amazing voice and I love her energy. Here she is on Jools Holland singing Tainted Love.

I've been crafting most of the weekend and also managed to fit in a couple of walks. I've got lots to share with you but for now here's a little Gorjuss card.

Supplies used:

Card - Core'dinations vintage collection (Crafter's Companion)

Embossing folder - Cuttlebug Welcome Baby cut and emboss set

Die cut - Gorjuss

Scalloped die cut - eCraft (Jen Allyson designs card)

Stamp - enjoy the ride (PTI)

Inspired by challenges at:

Charisma Cards - #42 embossing

One stop craft - #154 no designer paper

I hope everyone has had a great weekend.

Love Ginger

xxx

Here's Humphrey

2011-10-22T09:29:00.000+01:00

Although stamping is still high on my list of loves, I have rather fallen for this wee chap in decoupage. It's so well die cut it's a delight to put together, no pips and no cutting off extra white bits. So that's one Christmas card made then!!

Supplies used:

Card blank - Craftwork Cards

Humphrey die cut decoupage - Crafter's Companion

Patterned paper - erm found at the back of thee cupboard

Stamp - holiday tags 2010 (PTI)

Die cuts - vines (eCraft swirls & flourishes), frame (PTI)

Inspired by challenges at:

Daring cardmakers - sketch challenge

Totally papercrafts - #89 layer upon layer

So as I'm off all weekend I'm hoping that I'll get plenty of time to make some more Christmas cards.

Have a great weekend.

Love Ginger

xxx

Feeling inspired

2011-10-21T23:42:00.001+01:00

Ssssssshhhhh. If I just sneak back into blogland, maybe no one will notice that I've been missing for a little while (I know .... again!!)!! So life has been pretty busy and what little spare time I've had I have managed to keep creating, just not photographing and loading it up here. However lately I've been inspired by the Make it Monday videos over at Nichole Heady's blog for Papertrey Ink. I've had a go at making my own Washi tape and also making my own thick chipboard accents.

This week the technique is layered mats and frames. I had a great time cracking out my PTI supplies and making this card:

Now all I need to do is find a book to send to a friend so I can send them this card!

Supplies used:

Card - pure poppy. true black (PTI)

Patterned paper - beautiful blooms (PTI)

Ink - pure poppy, fresh snow, true black (PTI)

Dies - mat stack 3, limitless layers 1 3/4" (PTI)

Border punch - double scallop edger punch (Martha Stewart)

Ribbon & twine - The Ribbon Girl

I was also inspired by the challenge over at one of my favourite blogs:
A Passion for Papertrey - sensational silhouettes

So I was tempted to post so much more tonight but let's start slowly!!

Thank you to anyone that might pop by.

Love Ginger

xxx

CRAFT Challenge Blogaversary

2011-05-19T08:00:00.074+01:00

I'm so excited that as part of my Guest Design spot at CRAFT Challenge, I get to be part of their 2nd Blogaversary with big giveaways:

This week at CRAFT Challenge we are celebrating our 2nd Blogaversary in style. Our challenge this week is Happy Birthday! (to Us) to fit in with this celebration. Please link your project to InLinkz as per usual.
Here's the card that I've made to join in with the celebrations. Don't you just love this little birdie from Robyns fetish digital stamps and more

Supplies used:
Digi stamp - a little birdie told me, Robyns fetish digital stamps and more
Cardstock - Core'dinations and Neenah Solar Crest Card
Patterned paper - Kaisercraft Hippy Girl 6 x 6 pad
Ribbon - Papertrey Ink
Stamp - Papertrey Ink, daily design sentiments
Button & twine - Papertrey Ink
Copics used:
Tree - E71, E77
Bird - BG01, BG05, BG10
Flowers - YR04, YR20
Grass - YG03, YG11

To celebrate we will also will be doing a Blogaversary Blog Hop with many sponsors and prizes on the way. To be in with having a chance of winning these prizes, you will need to leave a comment on our (G)DT's blogs, a winner will be chosen randomly at each stop.

We will also leave a word at each stop, with which we would like you to form a sentence. So, don't forget to collect a word on each stop as well! After you have collected all these words, form a sentence with them and enter your sentence in a comment on our CRAFT Challenge blog. We will obviously not allow comments to be posted during this week to stop any cheating, lol!

You should have started at CRAFT Challenge and come from Carol's Blog. If you did not, please go back to the stops before you have so far not passed.

My word is: Bash

My sponsor for the blog hop is Jo aka Trimgym, and the prize you can win on my stop is a choice of 1 paper pack or 3 digi's from her blog.

Just as a reminder, here is your route to follow. You should start and end at the CRAFT challenge blog.

Jo's digistamp blog

Carol

Claire (GDT) (you're here!)

Nikki (GDT)
Sharon

Tigerlover (junior DT)

CRAFT Challenge Blog

So, join in with us this week to be in with a chance of many prizes and we hope you enjoy the journey!
Your next stop is Gemma
Don't forget to leave a comment if you want to have a chance of winning the prize on my stop!!

Home Sweet Home

2011-05-18T22:40:00.001+01:00

I had a fabulous weekend away with some crafting friends but it's oh so nice to be back home. I really must get back into taking photos, I took none this weekend but I did make some cards. Some I can't share yet as they're for Papercraft Essentials but some I can.

This one was made for the challenges at:

One Stop Craft Challenge - #141 ice cream

A Spoonful of Sugar - anything goes

I'm loving Core'dinations cardstock, especially with my new Sizzix embossing folders.

Supplies used:

Cardstock - Core'dinations

Embossing folder - Sizzix

Stamps - Papertrey Ink

Ink - Papertrey ink, dark chocolate and sweet blush

This next one is clean and simple all the way and was inspired by the challenge at:

Crazy 4 challenges - C4C87 chocolate, mines chocolate coloured

Supplies used:

Cardstock - Papertrey Ink, kraft, vintage cream

Stamps - turning a new leaf

Ink - dark chocolate

So it's back to work and another busy but happy week.

xxx

Another week!!

2011-05-12T14:09:00.000+01:00

I can't believe another week has gone by since my last update! Ah well it's better than a month I suppose. That's what happens when you work all weekend, but it was very well worth it. Thanks to Leann & Sara for their help & support, it made it a great weekend.

So back to being a guest designer over at C.R.A.F.T Challenge Blog , I nearly got my card in on time this week, well I would have done if I'd have attached it!!

So the challenge this week is 'Alien/Space'.

This week the sponsor is Truly Madly Crafty. The prize they offer is a £5 gift voucher code for their shop.

So here's my card, as you can see I'm loving embossing in my Sizzix Big Shot, especially as I have a whole new stack of folders to play with. Plus because I use Core'dinations cardstock, it looks even more effective when you sand the design. 2 things I couldn't live without right now, my Sand it Gadget and my Dust Buddy.

Supplies used:

Digi stamp - Billy and rocket (Digital Delights)

Papers - Papertrey Ink

Cardstock - Core'dinations

Embossing folder - circles & dot set Sizzix

Copic Ciaos:

Face - E000, E21, RV10

Black - 100

Rocket (red) - R35, R37

Spaceman - C1, C3, C5 and C7

Silver - Pentouch silver pen

This weekend I'm off to Essex, via Manchester to go crafting for the whole weekend. I'm hoping my crafting mojo is put into overdrive as it's been a little sluggish lately. I've only got one lot of magazine work to do and then it's total play time for me.

Have a great weekend

xxxx

Back in my CRAFT room

2011-05-05T08:00:00.033+01:00

It's taken me a few more weeks than expected to get back into my craft room apart from a magazine commission I had to finish. Crafting had to go on hold until the painting was finished and the new bed was assembled. But I have good news apart from some glossing I'm truly settled in the North East.

To help me get back into my crafting groove I've been lucky enough to be asked to be a Guest Designer over at C.R.A.F.T Challenge Blog however I've not had a great start with getting this weeks card very late over to Jo. It's all those Bank Holidays that have frazzled my head, but anyway I thought I'd still share details of the challenge here,

05.05.2011 - Challenge 101 - Sketch - Digi's With Attitude

Here's the sketch:

The sponsors are offering a $10 CAD ( Canadian Funds) gift voucher for Digi's With Attitude! shop as a prize.

Here's my card:

Supplies used:

Digi images - digi's with attitude

Papers - Cosmo Cricket Material Girl mini deck

Cardstock - Core'dinations - Core Impressions Basic Grey Ornate collection and Roy.G.Biv pad

Die - nestabilities

Copics used:

Face - E000, E21, R20

Hair - E31, E33, E35

Logs - E71, E77

Eyes - YG11, YG23

Top & shoes - B000, B02, C3, C5,C7, YG11

Fire - Y15, Y17, Y38, YR04, R37

Just so you don't think I've had no fun over the last couple of weeks, I thought I'd share this photo with you. Me on the trampoline with Debbie's two youngest boys, the gorgeous Ethan & Jacob. Thanks so much for letting play and teaching me how to do a back drop.

They'll be at least one post a week for the next month, whilst I'm on Guest Design Team duties and hopefully more now I'm settling into my new craft room. Although I still need to unpack properly in there!

xxx

The unpacking begins

2011-04-03T22:58:00.000+01:00

So since my last blog update there's been a fair bit going on, namely a very busy trade show and a move of house up to the North East, about 5 minutes away from the office. So whilst I've settled into going into the office everyday, I've only just started to open my craft boxes and the first box I've opened is my Papertrey Ink supplies. It's a good job really as the girls over at A Passion for Papertrey have asked me to be there featured stamper of the month. So I've been busy beavering away and will share my first card for them tomorrow. In the meantime here's a card I've made tonight , featuring the lovely up, up & away stamp set:

So hopefully I'll be back a little bit more regularly but don't hold your breath just yet as there's still alot of boxes to be unpacked. Plus work is mega busy, but that's exciting as I have a warehouse of Core'dinations cardstock and an eCraft machine to play with.

In the meantime a massive thank you to all my friends for their support over the last couple of months. I'm truely a very lucky girl to have the people in my life that I do.

xxx

A Little Bit of Love

2011-02-10T07:11:00.002Z

I was so excited to be contacted by the lovely Emily O'Brien from VoucherCodes.co.uk to submit a Valentines project for them. So here's what I created, a set of 5 cute little Valentine cards. So whether you're sending one to your sweetheart or you just want to let someone you know how special they are these little cuties are ideal. Making a set of cards is great, as once you've got your design then you can just replicate, making them super quick to make.

I was also inspired by challenges at:

CRAFT - Valentines

Creative Card Crew - for a loved one

Stamptacular Sunday challenge - hearts gone wild

Allsorts challenge - It must be love, love, love

The Crafty Pad - Love is in the air

All supplies used from Papertrey Ink:

Card stock - pure poppy, dark chocolate, new leaf, simply chartreuse, aqua mist

Patterned paper - bitty dot basics

Stamps - Tiny Treats

Ribbon - pure poppy

Inks - pure poppy, dark chocolate, new leaf, simply chartreuse, aqua mist

Copic Ciaos

Stickles - xmas red

Dies, circle and scalloped circle nestabilities

I hope you've made your Valentine's card, although you can always sneak out to supermarket in the middle of the night if you run out of time!

xxx

SWALK 3 Sneak Peek

2011-02-09T18:27:00.035Z

Wow, who stole the rest of January! I'm super busy at work what with a trip to Paperword in Frankfurt and getting ready for CHSI (Stitches) - the UK craft trade show. This Friday I'm at Inspirations by Cardcraft Plus in Preston, so I'm busy getting ready for that too.

We've also got a brand new launch this Saturday, it's 6 more gorgeous SWALK stamps and I'm so excited as one of the stamps is the iconic SWALK kissing couple and that's the one I've used in my Sneak Peek.

I've also been inspired by challenges at:

Papertake Weekly - have a heart

A Spoonful of Sugar - let's see some love

Try it on a Tusday - Hearts & Flowers

Supplies used:

All items available from Crafter's Companion

SWALK stamp - a little kiss

Cardstock - Cored'inations Ebony & Ivory pack

Embossong folder - Cuttlebug script

Flower & scroll die - Marianne

Copic Ciao's

Faces & skin - E00, E21, RV10

Hair girl - Y00, Y21, TR31

Hair boy - E50, E31, E33

Girls clothes - RV29, R46, C1

Boys clothes - C1, C3, C5, C7

Gingham ribbon

I'm so in love with Cored'inations cardstock. As you can see on the card above I haven't even used any patterned paper!

I'd better make a couple more samples.

xxx

A taste of ATC's

2011-01-17T19:30:00.000Z

Well the rest of my weekend was as much fun as the start of it and I went on another wonderful walk on Sunday, even though it was rather wet and drizzly. One of the best bits of the walk was that I got to make a new friend, the lovely Isla aged 5 for 2 more sleeps, as she told me. I also learned all about horrible histories, skipped and sang follow the yellow brick road, or our version follow the muddy green field! Once she'd grabbed my hand to get over a stile she didn't let go for several miles. She's a fabulous little walker and did the whole lot without a single whinge. What a little star.

As you can see by the time we got back we were slightly bedraggled!

Oh and Isla, I agree with you, pom poms rock!!

I haven't made ATC's for ages but made this little ATC book for Papercraft Essentials. I'm popping these into challenges at:

The Crafty Pad - something new - new stamps

Just us Girls - colour challenge #67, aqua, coral and green

Supplies used:
Stamps - Paperartsy
Papers - K&Co Poppy Seeds designer mat pad
Card - core'dinations

So it's another busy week at work but hopefully I'll be back to post something on my blog soon.
xxx

Appley Dapply Nursery Rhymes Blog Hop

2011-01-16T12:00:00.055Z

Hello and welcome to the Crafter’s Companion Blog Hop to celebrate the release of Beatrix Potter: Appley Dapply’s Nursery Rhymes CD and stamp set.

If you have landed here from Leann's blog then you are hopping in the right direction. If not then you need to pop over to the Crafter’s Companion News blog to begin.

As a DT we have had a great time creating with the new range from Crafter’s Companion and to celebrate the launch of this stunning new collection on Friday 21st January Crafter's Companion have decided to give you a chance to see some Sneak Peeks and also have the chance of winning a fabulous Prize:

The Appley Dapply’s Nursery Rhymes CD and stamp set, plus a pack of watercolour card and a tin of 12 Derwent Watercolour pencils!

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning this great prize is visit each blog in order, and then go back to the Crafter’s Companion News Views and Inspiration Blog to leave your link on Mr Linky. Along the way you will notice that each Blog will give you a letter - make a note of these as they will make a word which we will ask you for if your number is drawn by Random.Org on Thursday 20th.

PLEASE DO NOT TELL US WHAT THE WORD IS ON THE CRAFTER’S COMPANION NEWS VIEWS AND INSPIRATION BLOG, WE WILL E-MAIL YOU FOR THE ANSWER IF YOUR MR LINKY NUMBER IS DRAWN.

Here's my card, which was also inspired by challenges at:

Cupcake craft - something new

Papertake weekly - cold & frosty morning

Cute card Thursday - monochromatic

Stamp something - stamp anything

Supplies used:

Cardstock - core'dinations - whitewash and core colour

Patterned paper - Appley Dapply CD

Frame - Appley Dapply CD

Stamp - Appley Dapply stamp set

Colouring medium - Copic Ciaos

Punch - Martha Stewart

All supplies from Crafter's Companion

My letter is: R

From here, you're hopping over to Lynsey's Blog. We hope you enjoy the sneak peeks and thanks for hopping.

xxx

Winter Walking

2011-01-15T22:18:00.000Z

Whoosh, who stole this week! It's been another hectic but fabulous week. I've been up in the North East as we've lots of planning to do in the office. I've caught up with friends, managed to go dancing, been cooked for and generally had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

This weekend I've escaped to Hucklow in Derbyshire to go Winter Walking. It's fabulous as I get to spend time with some of my favourite friends, Gwyneth and her hubby Robert and Archi (with her broken arm) and her hubby Ian.

It's been food for the soul being out in the fresh air today.

So what do you do after walking? Make cards of course! This one was inspired by the challenges at:

Chicken soup - recipe #24 - the sunburst shape inspired me to use this cute pleated embellishment

Meljen's Designs - square or round card

Paper Cutz - tags

Supplies used

Papers and embellishment - Scrap-a-gogo greetings kit

Stamps - just the ticket (PTI)

Ink - chocolate brown, Hawaiian shores, orange zest

This card was inspired by the challenge at:

Secret crafter challenge - with love - these colours just scream love to me

Supplies used:

Paper - in bloom (PTI)

Stamps - round & round (PTI)

Ink - true black (PTI)

Felt - true black (PTI)

Dies - PTI

Punch - Martha Stewart

So I'm off to bed now as it's up early for more walking tomorrow.

I hope you're having a great start to 2011, I know I am.

xxx

I'm alive

2011-01-09T22:11:00.000Z

After a friend rang me this week to make sure I was still alive I thought it was about time I updated my blog! It's been such a hectic but totally fabulous time what with the Christmas party, Christmas shopping (oh I did buy boots for me too!), Christmas, then going skiing for New Year and then straight back to work, I haven't crafted for a couple of weeks! I know shock horror, I've nearly forgotten what to do! But luckily I'm at Anna's this weekend and my crafting mojo is being nurtured back to life. So before we get to some cards here's a quick round up of the last couple of weeks:

The Christmas do was at Hardwick Hall with Jamie "Afro" Archer. He was amazing and as you can see I managed to get myself right to the front! If you want to see all the gory details of our night out then they're on the Crafter's Companion Facebook page.

Sara & I having a great out

Christmas day, Ian & me with the big cracker

Happy Days with my favourite ski guide

And why wouldn't you want to be there?

Dave & Gill & the glorious mountains

Me ready to hit the pistes

A little apres

Two very lovely people, Lady Sperring and Howard

The A team ready to hit the slopes, Tupes, Charlotte, Howard, Sid and little me. I look like such a titch in this photo!

Right, back to the crafting then. Here's some of what I've been up to today. This first card was inspired by challenges at:
Stamp' 4 the weekend - new and blue
Chicken soup - recipe #2

Supplies used:
Card, patterned papers and brad - Scrap-a-gogo kit
Stamp - Papertrey Ink - round & round
Flowers - petaloo
Ink - Papertrey ink - Hawaiian shores

This card is just a little bit bolder and was inspired by challenges at:
Charisma cardz - Happy Birthday
Crafty Pad - Happy Birthday

Supplies used:
Paper - PTI in bloom
Stamp - PTI round & round
Ink - PTI pure poppy, true black

Punch - Stampin' Up

I know it's a little late, but a Happy New to everyone. Let's hope there's lots of exciting adventures in store for this year, I'm sure there will be.
xxx

Floral festivities

2010-12-13T23:12:00.003Z

Today I've been learning how to make a festive hanging basket. It was my Christmas present from Anna and we've had a fabulous day. Look at the beautiful setting, it was at The Wheatsheaf at Oaksey.

Nikki our tutor, made random look so easy!

Anna & I with our finished baskets, they were huge - now how am I getting that back to Manchester!

After the workshop it was time for lunch, which was spiced fish and chips.

Followed by chocolate & orange mousse with a hazelnut and chocolate biscuit - delicious.

After that it was back to Anna's to open Christmas presents. Look at my cute new slipper socks, they've a gorgeous pink flower on the back too and little pearls - I love them. You remember that the dress I'm wearing was given to me by one of the ladies at Craftaganza and so the giving continues as I've left the dress with Anna.

So of course we crafted, so here's a couple of cards. This one was inspired by challenges at:

Papercutz - challenge #71, snowflakes

Chicken soup - the 6th day of Christmas - baubles

Stamp with fun - Christmas

ABC challenges - J is for Jewels

Supplies used:

All items from Papertrey Ink

Card - plum pudding and Hawaiian shores

Stamps - fancy flourishes, Christmas tags 2009

Ink - plum pudding

This card was inspired by challenges at:

Pink Elephant - winter wonderland

Cupcake Challenges - non-traditional Christmas

Supplies used:

Paper - My Minds Eye

Stamps - Christmas Tags 2009

Punch - Martha Stewart

So that's my adventures over for a few days and I'm heading back home at silly o'clock in the morning, ready for getting back to work.

xxx

A trip full of trees

2010-12-12T23:53:00.002Z

What a fabulous trip I'm having. Nets, Raymond & Rosie it was fabulous to see you. I'll try and stay longer next time. My demo at Hobbycraft Norwich went really well and the store were really happy with it. Here's my demo table - the tablecloth was quite bright!

Next to me was Lindsey Mason

From Norwich it was on to Reading and the lovely Harper Household and today was the day for putting up the big Christmas tree and as a houseguest, I got to help. Rich & Nick trimming the tree to fit in the stand.

Et voila - all decorated.

I was treated to a great Sunday dinner before setting out on the next leg of my journey to Stroud. Here I was greeted with more Christmas trees and of course we popped open the fizz.

Yes it was late, but did that stop us crafting - no way!! But instead of paper we got out the felt and made this little cutie to hang on the tree. I'm entering this into challenges at:

Chicken soup - 3rd day of Christmas - those felt trees set me off

Allsorts - last minute Christmas projects

Creative inspirations - anything goes Christmas

Tomorrow I'm off to play with flowers.

xxx

Off again

2010-12-10T08:33:00.000Z

I'm off on my travels again, today I'm off to Norwich, ready for a demo I have there tomorrow at Hobbycraft. I'm lucky enough to be visiting my lovely friend Annette and her gorgeous family. From Norwich it's onto Reading and the lovely Harper Household and last but not least it's then onto Stroud to visit my lovely Anna. I should be back on Tuesday, with news of any adventures I've had on my way!!

I'll leave you with a little floral number, that's inspired by the challenge at:

Cute Card Thursday - Floral frenzy

Supplies used

3 Birds - cardmaking by numbers

Have a great weekend.

xxx

Having a "grate" week

2010-12-09T23:45:00.000Z

A little while ago I mentioned CSN Stores and they kindly gave me a voucher to spend in their store. I treated myself to a couple of Microplane graters. These have been on my wishlist for so long, I'm rather excited to have got them, so it'll be grated everything for the next couple of weeks!

The whole Christmas thing has now started to catch up with me, so tonight I ventured to the Trafford Centre. It was busy but quite good fun and I even grabbed a bargain or two. With most of my shopping done it was time for a treat and I decided green tea and miso soup at Yo! Sushi were just the ticket. I don't have a problem eating on my own, it's great for people watching! No surprises, as is my way, I ended up talking to the people next to me, Grandma, Mum and son. What a lovely young man, he'd never tried miso soup, os I let him try mine - another convert! That stuff just makes you feel good about the world.

So what else would you do when you get home, bake of course!! Yep, mincemeat muffins, ready for crop on Saturday, even though I won't be there.

I'm entering my muffins and the tag that I made for them into challenges at:

Chicken Soup - Christmas Dinner

Charisma Cardz - Christmas gifts

A Passion for Papertrey - Christmas

Now let's hope there's still some left when I deliver them!!

xxx

A whirlwind weekend

2010-12-07T21:54:00.001Z

I've had a fabulous weekend dancing in Toulouse, France. The little amount of sleep that I've had (all of my own doing!) since I got there has been more than made up for with such amazing classes, with great teachers, hanging out with some of my favourite friends and the late dance dance parties. The icing on the cake had to be watching Jo & Mel with the competition on Saturday night. I'm so proud to know you both, especially as I've been promoted to the team as the motivational coach. I still think we should have team tracksuits!

Congratulations

I'm so pleased that my lovely roomie Julie made it in from snowy Gatwick, even if she was delayed by a day. There were lots of travel tales about delays and cancellations and not to be out done, mine involved a missing suitcase. I made it to Toulouse on Friday but my bag decided not to join me until Saturday morning. A huge thank you to Jo, for tucking me under her wing and sorting me out until my case arrived. She even let be borrow a pair of her gorgeous shoes. Now if only I could make them dance as beautifully as she does!

Now I'm home it's back to paper and glue and today I have a couple of cards to share with you.
This one I'm entering into challenges at:
Daring Cadrmakers - turquoise
ICS - sketch #94

Supplies used:
3 birds kit - cardmaking by numbers

This one I'm entering into challenges at:
Totally Gorjuss - sketch challenge
Creative Card Crew - Anything goes

Supplies used:

3 birds kit - cardmaking by numbers

I'm off to catch up on some sleep!
xxx

Snow Angel

2010-12-03T01:43:00.000Z

I think cabin fever has hit today! The furthest I've been since getting back from the NE on Saturday night is the Post Office! I donned my skiing stuff that meant I kept dry, it also made me smile as it's not long until we hit the slopes - woo hoo!!

So today I decided to spend my lunch break clearing the drive. I think its time to invest something bigger and more substantial than a coal shovel!!

But with all that snow in front of the car laying untouched I couldn't stop myself from making my very first snow angel!! Not bad for my first attempt - why it's taken me 40 years to get to do that is a mystery!

Just one card to share with you today. I'm entering this into challenges at:

Dutch Dare Challenges - Christmas Card

Paper Cutz - anything goes

Supplies used for all :

House mouse unmounted stamps

pins

Felt holly leaves

Ribbon

Copic Ciaos

Nestabilities

Patterned cardstock - forever friends pad

Right, I'm leaving for the airport now, to go dancing in Toulouse. See you in a few days. Have a great weekend.

xxx

More good news

2010-12-02T08:54:00.002Z

I was one of this months Passionistas over at A Passion for Papertrey - thanks for choosing my card as one of your favourites girls.

You'd think that would be enough excitement for one day, but I've also found the video for the started we made with Ainsley Harriott. Go and have a look, it's too funny! Why is it always me doing the daft bits!! Yes I know I didn't do the words at the end, I was so busy laughing I had no idea what was going on!

Back in the land of card making here's some cards that I recently made for Papercraft Essentials. I had great fun working with the House Mouse stamps and decoupage.

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Cupcake craft challenge - light it up
Chicken soup - advent - it was that gingham ribbon that I loved

This one I'm entering into the challenge at:

Chicken soup - based on those lovely ripply colours

One stop craft challenge - Christmas Cuties

This one I'm entering into challenges at:
Twisted sketches - sketch #35, layers
Daring cardmakers - Christmas spotty and stripes
Card patterns - sketch #92
Clean & Simple - FTL # 118

Last one for now, into the challenges at:

Stamp with fun - advent

Just us girls - make a 3D holiday embellishment

Tuesday Taggers - jolly St Nick

Papercraft Star - challenge 23 (this card is so small you could use it as a gift tag)

Midnight Madness sketch - sketch #83

Supplies used for all 3 cards:

House mouse decouapge

House mouse unmounted stamps

Tim Holtz edgability die

Heart pins

Felt holly leaves

Ribbon

Copic Ciaos

Patterned cardstock - forever friends pad

Now if I was only this organised about getting my Christmas shopping done!!

xxx

New Monthly Challenge

2010-12-01T12:00:00.039Z

Oh my, is it really the 1st December?!! PANIC!! When on earth am I going to find time to get my Christmas shopping done! Oh well I managed to find time to get my card made for this months Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge. As always there's a sketch with an optional element of Christmas.

I turned the sketch 90 degrees. This is the fourth card I taught at Craftaganza, so I'm hoping to see lots of entries this month, even if they're all very similar or exactly the same as my card. Remember the winner is a random draw, so everyone has a chance of winning. The fabulous prize this month is a £50 voucher for the Crafter's Companion website. I think Sara is feeling extra generous because it's not long until Christmas.

Supplies used:

CD- Popcorn Cosy & Warm

Popcorn die cut decoupage

Die cuts - Nestabilites

Punch - Martha Stewart

All items available from Crafter's Companion.

If anyone is unsure on how to enter the challenge then just leave me a comment here and I'll help you out.

Have fun and I look forward to seeing your cards or projects.

Here's today's snow update. There's still loads of it and it's been snowing again this morning! My card is still on the and will need to be cleared before I can go anywhere!

One more card for you today, it can also be seen in Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine. I love the colours on this card, it's what you need to brighten the day. I'm entering this into the challenge over at:
Moxie Fab World - the birthday card challenge
Fab 'n' funky - birthday - happy birthday girls x

Supplies used:
Echo park - walk in the park
Plus some bling and twine

Keep warm.
xxx

Winter Wonderland

2010-11-30T18:02:00.011Z

Well the snow has caught up with me and landed here in Manchester. Here's the view at lunch time from my office window.

So whilst we're looking at the snow, here's another Christmas card for you from my recent magazine work for Cardmaking and Papercraft. I'm entering this one into challenges at:

Ooh la la challenges - Christmas Song - Let there be Peace

One stitch at a time - bling it up

Papertake weekly - sketch 51 - I flipped it 90 degrees

Supplies used:

Bo Bunny - Winter Joy, papers, stickers and rub-ons

I hope the snow and ice aren't causing too much chaos for you.

xxx

Who do you think you are?

2010-11-29T23:56:00.002Z

No I'm not getting stroppy, it's much more exciting than that, well I think it is. I'm always excited to get my cards published in a crafting magazine but this month I've got a piece on "Scrapbook a family gift" in the Who Do You Think You Are Magazine. Yes a real magazine! Starting on page 54 I have 3 pages, including a full step by step. I'm entering it into the following challenges:
Crazy 4 challenges - script paper
CRAFT - Christmas present
Creative Inspirations - Christmas Gifts
Dutch Dare - sketch
Fab 'n' funky - anything goes

Supplies used:

Box frame from IKEA

K&Co classic K Margo Mat Pad

K&Co classic K Margo Tag pad

K&Co classic K Margo Fabric stitched brads

Bazzill basics - half the edge (borders)

Brown ink

Thanks for letting me share my excitement.

xxx

It's homework time

2010-11-28T19:30:00.000Z

You'd think that because I'm home I'd be putting my feet up but instead I have some last minute homework to do for Sara. Do I mind? Not a jot. I'm getting to work with a fabulous kit, so have a look on Create and Craft on Friday, to see what I've been playing with. Now I can't shar4e that with you just yet but I can share some other homework. Here's some cards that were made for Cardmaking and Papercraft.

This one I'm entering into the challenges at:

Totally Gorjuss - tree

CPS - sketch #195

Supplies used:

Echo park - walk in the park

This second card I'm entering into the challenge at:

The crafty pad - snowflakes

Right I'm off to watch the results of Strictly and X-factor and finish my homework. If I was having a bath and washing my hair it would feel like I was going to school tomorrow!

I hope you've had a great weekend.

xxx

Craftaganza Day 3

2010-11-27T23:57:00.011Z

I can't believe it's already day 3 and our last day of Craftaganza today. First things first, breakfast and I had been told that if I asked I could have a dippy egg and woo hoo, that's just what I had for breakfast. I love the egg cup but I was good and left it behind!

Today I got to go to class and did some jewellery making. Oops I think I may have a new addiction!

Then it was time to eat again! Today I went for the roulade, maybe I'm lemon meringued out!

In the afternoon I got to be Leonie's little helper and here's the cinnamon tag they got to make and I've made one too. Not only did it look great but it smelt delicious too.

I'm entering mine into the challenge at:

Stampin' for the weekend - winter

My time to craft - tag along

Tuesday taggers - decoration

Here's the second project that the class got to make - cute.

At one point during the class Miss LEonie decided to cover me with glitter, very funny! But don't you just love karma - 5 minutes later she picked up a pot of glitter and didn't realise that the lid was open - giggle!!

But how can you keep a girl down when she has such fabulous shoes on. I tried to steal them but she was having none of it!

As fast a Craftaganza had come round, it had finished and we had to say goodbye to everyone. A big thank you has to go out to the staff at The Aston Hotel, they are all fabulous and help make the event run so efficiently. They're also the friendliest hotel staff I've ever met.

So just time for a quick latter - hold the brandy, before setting off home.

It took a while to clear my car but then I was on my way home. There was no snow south of Wetherby! Although I brought some home on my car - yes there was still that much snow on my car after 120 miles!

I guess we'd better start planning Craftaganza 2011.

xxx

Craftaganza Day 2

2010-11-26T23:58:00.000Z

Well the extra snow that we thought was coming overnight didn't but I'm not complaining about that. After breakfast it was back to class. Here's another of the cards that we made. I'm entering this one into challenges at:

Totally Papercrafts - non traditional Christmas

PaperCutz - anything goes

CASE study - challenge #16

Here's my one of my workshops of the second day. I did teach two more workshops but forgot to get my camera out - sorry girls, I feel really bad.

Friday evening is party night and we all have dinner at the same time, with a table quiz for the delegates. This year we also had a very special guest, the very lovely Leonie Pujol. She really is a delight to have at an event and her after dinner speech was inspiring and just too funny.

I work for the greatest people - here's Sara and her husband Simon.

Craftaganza wouldn't happen without Meg. Here she is with our jewellery teachers, Carolyn, Sarah and Margaret and one of loveliest delegates, Leslie.

During the evening we give out awards for things like the smiliest crafter, the tidiest crafter and lots more, which we love doing. What also happened is that the delegatesmanaged to surprise us and presented us with the most beautiful flowers. Thank you to everyone, they're gorgeous.

Then Leslie had a present for Sara, a plaque celebrating Crafter's Companion 5th Birthday. All this loveliness was too much for me and I got more than a little misty!

Leonie, Sara and I having a great evening.

As there was still rather a lot of snow we stayed over again. This time I had my suitcase as Kam had brought it up in the day - phew. It did mean a few wines and a little Baileys - we drank the bar dry of that! The outcome of the night was trying on a different dress (thanks Kay) and sitting on top of the bar! I blame Carol!

Bed beckoned about 3:30am (or so I was told!). I'll still be bright and breezy in the morning, so another brilliant day with lots of lovely people.

xxx

Craftaganza - Day 1

2010-11-25T23:30:00.000Z

This has to be one of my favourite times of the year. Yes it really is up there with Christmas and going on holiday. It's our annual craft event - Craftaganza. This year we've had 80+ of our customers join us for 3 days craft classes and lots and lots of fun. They really are the nicest people who come to the event and it's great to see so many of them come back each year.

My class was crafting boot-camp and we had 4 cards to make in an hour and three quarters and all of workshop attendees today flew through the class. The first card we tackled was a circle slider card which looks really tricky but with a little bit of know how it's a doddle. I'm entering this card into the following challenge:
Cute card Thursday - blast from the past - challenge #114 no designer papers

Supplies used:
Circle slider - Popcorn Platinum Cd - kids and florals
Die cut - grande scallop square nestabilities

This next one is a little dome card. These are super easy and I'm going to pop a how to over on the Crafter's Companion News & Inspiration Blog very soon.
I'm entering it into the challenge at:
ABC challenge - ice and snow

Supplies used:

Design printed onto pearlised card - Popcorn CD - frosty & bright
Die cuts - circle and scalloped circle nestabilities
Decoupage - Popcorn die cut decoupage

It's a wonder we even got the event started with the snow that had fallen overnight. It took me a while to get there but I did arrive as did all the workshop leaders (Sara, Leanne, Jayne, Sheena, Carolyn, Margaret & Sarah) and our lovely delegates.

Giving me a hand with getting ready for class the lovely Carolyn and Margaret, who were there to teach jewellery making.

We got Sarah helping too

Here's my first class with their dome cards. The first class is always the toughest but they were a fabulous group, so no problems.

We even get a break for lunch. The food at the Aston hotel is fabulous, it might be even better this year as they have a new chef! Lemon meringue wasn't on the dessert menu for lunch but with a quiet word in the right ear I managed to acquire a rather large slice!

So back to it after lunch and it was the class with some of the design team in and also a few of our forum members. I thought they might give me a bit of banter but they were surprisingly well behaved. especially Carol, who was exceptionally good.

The last class of the day were mostly made up of the class that I had in the first session last year, so I know quite a bit about this bunch and they finished off my teaching day with a smile. It was also great to meet some new crafters.

That evening after dinner I held a drop in session for those people who wanted to know more about the different die cutting machines we stock. So yet more handle turning - hopefully it's toning up my bingo wings!
With the snow still lingering a decision was made for us to stay over. Luckily we're a team that don't mind sharing hair brushes. The good part of that is that I could have a glass or two of wine, but we were quite restrained as we know we were up for another busy day tomorrow.

Die Cutting Madness

2010-11-23T23:32:00.002Z

Well I made it to the office today, in fact I was there before 9, which means a very early start! I felt like I was packing forever, as I'm not home until Sunday. As well as my clothes I had to pack lots of craft bits and pieces, ready for Craftaganza :)

Talking of Craftaganza, Kamala and I sat last night and became die cutting queens. Prepping for 80 delegates takes some arm power but we're getting there. Why did I think it was a good idea to use so many die cuts!!

I also have to tell you about my fabulous dinner tonight, pancakes made from rice and lentils filled with potato curry - I love you Kamala.

Here's a couple of little cards I've made. How great is this for a teenager. It was inspired by challenges at:

A Spoonful of Sugar - Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky - go with the flow

Supplies used:

Stamps - clearly hand stamped

Inks - versamark, distress inks black soot and barn door.

Spray and sparkle - iridescent

This card was inspired by the challenge at:

Papertake Weekly - cut it out

Supplies used:

Stamps - clearly hand stamped

Paper- SWALK CD2

Punch - Martha Stewart doily lace

Colouring medium - Copic Ciaos

Right I'm off to bed to rest my winding arm as there's more die cutting to be done tomorrow.

Good night.

xxx

A very Manic Monday

2010-11-22T23:49:00.001Z

The plan for today was finish off my class for Craftaganza , then pack and go up to the office for around lunchtime. The realisation is that packing for a week, planning a class, normal day job and an emergency trip to Hobbycraft, takes most of the day, so I'm going up to the office in the morning!

Seeing as I'm up in the office for the rest of the week, this may be the last you here from me for a couple of days - I'm sure I heard one of you shout "hurrah"!!

The good news is that the 135 sheets of card that needing printing are done, now it's just all the die cutting that needs prepping but that's a job for tomorrow night and the night after that!

So before I disappear into the ether here's a quick card. This one was inspired by the challenges at:

2 sketches 4 you - Laura's sketch #66

Quirky crafts - recipe, black, white and one more colour plus punches

Supplies used:

Stamps - clearly hand stamped

Card - watercolour card

Ink - distress ink, soot black and barn door

Right I'd better get to bed as I have an early start.

xxx

Enjoy the ride

2010-11-21T23:42:00.001Z

As you know if you've popped over to my blog before I love living life to the full and today was no exception. So I took Miss Jean off to her dance class and as it was in Manchester I hit the shops for an hour or two. Whilst in Boots I was drawn to their Origins section and a lovely girl called Claire told me all about their products and even did a mini facial on me. I'll definitely be back to buy a few bits, I left feeling very looked after.

I then managed to pick up a couple of scrapbooking bits and pieces in TK Maxx, I love a bargain :) Then I went to meet my dancing friends after their class. They were in the earth cafe. It's a great find and definitely worth knowing about if ever you're in Manchester. The staff are so friendly and helpful and the food leaves you feeling all wholesome, as well as being incredibly tasty.

I got to meet some new friends and hopefully I'll get to class soon. The weekends go so fast though and it was soon time to say goodbye to friends returning to Reading, London and Scotland, but I'll see of you in Toulouse very soon.

So once home it was time to make a couple of cards. This one was inspired by challenges at:

Crazy 4 challenges - circles

Card Patterns - sketch #91

Supplies used:

Stamps - Clearly hand stamped (3 birds)

Paper - CD SWALK 2

Die cuts - circle and circle lattice - Nestabilities

Colouring medium - Copic Ciao

I can't share the other cards with you just yet as they're for my class at Craftaganza, but I'll share them as soon as I can.

I hope you had even half as much fun as I did this weekend, because if you did, you had a blast!

xxx

Swinging Saturday

2010-11-20T23:57:00.001Z

What a whirlwind of a weekend. It's crop today and we've had a lovely day. Myy sweet mincemeat muffins went down a treat and I'm under orders to make them again next month, not only for the girls but Jude's husband likes my muffins too!!

This months mini class was making little gift bags to fill with chocolates to send to a Christmas Fayre. Here's the ones I made inspired by challenges at:

Sir Stampalot - Christmas Traditions

Saturday challenge - handmade gifts

Totally Gorjuss - not so tradtional Christmas

Supplies used:

Die - favour box 2 PTI

Ink - aqua mist, dark chocolate and ocean tides

Stamps - polka dot basics, fancy flourishes and just for you

So you probably thought it was a nice relaxing day, well it was but we had some excitement as Miss Jean came to crop before she went dancing, Judy brought her friend Nick along and Judith joined us. Not only that we had a lovely visit from Sue and baby Chloe. See what happens when you leave me on my own Gwyneth!!

It's lovely having my dancing friends in town and I met them after crop. We went for dinner and found a great Italian that I didn't even know existed in Denton which is only a couple of minutes from home. I had a baked pasta and aubergine dish - delicious.

Mel & Jo

Jacqui & Jean

After that it was a quick change before going dancing. It was great to meet some of the people who go dancing in Manchester and it reminded me that I should try to go to some more local events.

xxx

Fabulous Friday

2010-11-19T23:17:00.051Z

After a busy week at work it's great to have somefriends in the area this weekend. So tonight I picked Miss Jean up from the train station and we've been out for dinner with my alter ego Scottish Jacqui. We went up to the Red Lion at High Lane and as usual weren't disappointed. I had breast of lamb with daupinoise potatoes, spiced chick peas and a roasted shallot - fabulous.

.We went up to the Red Lion at High Lane and as usual weren't disappointed. I had breast of lamb with daupinoise potatoes, spiced chick peas and a roasted shallot - fabulous.

For dessert, pavlova - yum!

Here's a card that was inspired by challenges at:

Chicken soup - recipe #21 - the pink got me going and the paint inspired the stamp sentiment with a glossy finish

Stamp Something - Thanks

Supplies used:

Stamps - Clearly hand stamped (3 birds)

Embossing powder - wow - sheena douglass

Flowers - pretty petals (3 birds)

Nestabilities

This second card was inspired by the challenge at:

Daring cardmakers - we three - I went for three panels

Supplies used:

Stamps - Clearly hand stamped (3 birds)
Embossing powder - wow - sheena douglass
Colouring medium - Copic Ciaos
What a fabulous start to the weekend. I hope you have a great weekend too.
xxx

Muffin Tops

2010-11-18T23:52:00.011Z

No not my muffin top, although it's creeping back! But real muffins. Tonight I've been baking and I've made mincemeat muffins. Thank you so much to my lovely friend Debbie for the recipe and her advice whilst I was out shopping. Yes she's on speed dial for when I'm making big decisions on sugar in Sainsburys!

I'm hoping the girls at crop on Saturday are going to like these:

I didn't add the frosting as I thought they might go soggy before Saturday, but they still passed my taste test.

Just one card to share with you today. This one was inspired by the challenge at:

CRAFT - vellum - yes that really is vellum that I've printed on under the stamped flowers.

Suplies used:

Stamps - Clearly Hand stamped

Vellum

CD - SWALK - volume 2

Punch - Martha Stewart

xxx

Delivery Day

2010-11-17T23:00:00.000Z

The postie has been 3 times today, OK one was only normal post, nothing exciting there, but number 2 was my Scrap-a-gogo greeting kit and number 3 was a delivery of gorgeous Papertrey Ink goodies. A great start to the day, now all I need is some time to play with my new treasures!

More good news, I won the draw at Meljen Designs last week, so have 3 new digi stamps on their way - thanks girls.

I have a couple of cards to share with you today, this one was inspired by the challenge at:

Cupcake Craft Challenges - House Warming

Supplies used:

Clearly Hand Stamped Kit - 3 Birds/Crafter's Companion

Distress ink - broken china and black soot

Embossing folder - cuttlebug textile texture

Ribbon and buttons - Papertrey Ink

Just one more for today. This one was inspired by the challenge at:

Tuesday Taggers - Peace, love, joy

Supplies used:

Clearly Hand Stamped Kit - 3 Birds/Crafter's Companion

Distress ink - black soot

Patterned paper and ribbon slider - SWALK CD2

Can someone please sell me a couple of hours a day for the next week or so?

Thanks

xxx

Back to normal?

2010-11-16T23:28:00.000Z

Well I'm at home today, which is a good job as I really do have washing to catch up with, but I'm not really sure what normal is any more. So as I'm at home, Steve is away! At present our next time spent together looks like it might be Christmas!

As usual I have too many things to do in the day but I'm getting there, although I still need to get my class for Craftaganza finalised. I have all the elements, they just need putting together.

In the meantime I have a couple of cards to share with you. This one was inspired by challenges at:

Stamp with fun - square

2 sketches 4 you - Kazan's #66

Meljen's designs - food

Supplies used:

Stamps - clearly hand stamped kit - 3 birds/Crafter's Companion

Papers - SWALK CD2

Stamping card - Neenah Classic Solar Crest

Nestabilities - labels 4

Ink - Momento Tuxedo Black

Colouring medium - Copic Ciaos

Flowers - perfectly pretty petals

This next card was inspired by the challenges at:

Papertake Weekly - Autumn Skies

A Spoonful of sugar - distressing

Supplies used:

Stamps - clearly hand stamped kit - 3 birds/Crafter's Companion

Card - core'dinations and watercolour card

Embossing powder - Sheena Douglass Copper

Distress inks - barn door, spiced marmalade, crushed olive, vintage photo

Embossing ink - versamark

Nestabilities - labels 11

Twine - Papertrey Ink

A quick how to for the background on this one:

Stamp the leaves with versamark

Sprinkle on the embossing powder and gently tap of the excess

Use you heat gun to set the powder, until it goes shiny.

Use cut and dry foam to apply you distress inks.

Use several colours to build up your mottled background

Right I'm off to bed as I've got another extremely busy day tomorrow.

xxx

It's nearly crop time

2010-11-15T22:12:00.020Z

It's the Altrincham crop this Saturday, so here's what I've done with this months kit. I was inspired by the sketch over at:

Twisted sketches - sketch #75, circles (I extended the sketch over a double page)

It's not the greatest photo due to the light but the colours are lilac with some green in there too.

As always I can't let those scraps for to waste so here's a card I made, with inspiration from:

Get sketchy - sketch #64

A Passion for Papertrey Ink - scrapalicious

The paper in the kit are Kaiser and the stamp on the card is Papertrey Ink, from the Everyday Buttons set.

Thanks for popping by.

xxx

Checking Back In

2010-11-14T22:58:00.001Z

Phew, what a fabulous but manic week or so. I’ve got so much to share with you I’m going to back post, so that this isn't the longest post in Blog history. Also it's a great way for me to remember where I've been and what I've been doing. In summary since my post on the 5th November I've been at the Hobbycraft Show in Birmingham, met up with a friend for dinner, come home for one night, travelled to Durham, had the most amazing adventure in London with my friend Debbie and Ainsley Harriott, spent the rest of the week in the office in Durham, learned about great plans at work for next year, made emergency cards for a last minute TV show, had lots of cuddles, collected Steve from the station, been to see Peter Kay, feasted on curry and tapas, thought about our heroes and today I've come home to come up for air!
Would I change a single moment of this craziness, never. Anyone that meets me knows that I live in the moment and love life to the extreme.

I'll leave you with a couple of cards that have been made with the Clearly Hand Stamped kit that is Pick of the Week on Create and Craft this week. This card was inspired by challenges at:
Creative Card Crew - give thanks
Fab 'n' funky - going around in circles

Supplies used:
Stamps - Clearly hand stamped
Ink - distress ink crushed olive, memento tuxedo black
Copics
Paper - SWALK2 Cd
Ribbon - PTI

This next one was inspired by challenges at:
Cute Card Thursday - anything goes
The secret crafter - #109, sparkly & shine

Supplies used:
Stamps - Clearly hand stamped
Ink - memento tuxedo black
Copics
Paper - SWALK2 Cd
Ribbon - PTI
Chipboard - 3 Birds life's little treasures

Hopefully I'll be back soon, but then again who knows what adventures are around the next corner!
xxx

Peter Kay

2010-11-13T23:37:00.044Z

Tonight we've been to see Peter Kay, it was a bit of an outing - 24 of us! I'm just glad Steve made it to the North East on the train today! As most of the people I work with have never met him (I've been there 3 years), they were starting to think he was my imaginary boyfriend!

We headed off on a coach up to Newcastle and to La Tasca, where we had a mighty feast of fabulous Tapas, I think we had one of everything off the menu. Even so I managed dessert of Ice Cream with Baileys over it. We then finished the meal with Licor 43, which Steve introduced us to. I think we may now need to go on holiday to Spain to get a bottle of it!

As for Peter Kay, he was side-splittingly funny. I swear he must have been at our table earlier in the night with some of the things he came out with! Too funny.

Just one card to share with you today that I made earlier in the day. This one was inspired by the challenge at:

Chicken soup - recipe #20

Supplies used:

Clearly hand stamped kit - 3 Birds/Crafter's Companion

Sheena Douglass white embossing powder

Patterned paper - SWALK CD2

Ink - distress ink crushed olive
Nestabilities - half moon squares
Border punch - Martha Stewart - two dot punch

Still giggling on my way to bed.

xxx

Emergency Crafting

2010-11-11T21:16:00.041Z

We normally get more than 48 hours notice for a Pick of the Week, but who says we don't like a challenge! There was no time to get the Clearly Hand Stamped kits to the design team, so it was down to me and Debs to spend the day (and the night before) crafting. I'm glad I don't have to do this often, although it was a great day, it was tough crafting to such a tight deadline, especially as I hadn't really seen the kit before I took it from the office last night! It's a good job that's it a really cute kit and the ideas were soon flowing. More good news is that being at Debbie's I got great soup and even got to sample her mincemeat muffins - delish!

So here's one of the cards that I made, this one was inspired by challenges at:

Case study - challenge #14

The Playdate Cafe - colour challenge

CRAFT challenge - colour challenge

It's Chinese for tea tonight and then back to the day job tomorrow, I'm back in the office but that's no bad thing.

Today is also a day where we remember our fallen heroes. It's always a day that I've taken seriously but this my thoughts during the silence were more personal. To our hero.

xxx