Whoop, whoop I won a prize.

I was lucky enough to win a prize over at Trimcraft the other day, I was so shocked because I haven't entered anything like that for aaaages! There I was yesterday afternoon, music on, happily painting away when the door bell rang. I couldn't work out what it was at first because the other little sneaky, crafty buys had already turned up!

Upon opening it up I wondered which colour way Christmas Decoupage pad I had been given only to find I have been sent 4!!!! Whoop, whoop....Happy Dance!!!

Got a rather hectic day ahead but hopefully I may even make a few toppers up later.

THANK YOU TRIMCRAFT!!!!

Adele

xXx

Christmas!!!!! EEEK!

I am NOT going to frighten myself........but I sat down this morning a flicked through the Lakeland Christmas Ideas book as I drank my tea!!!!!!! :

Now for a long as I can remember, I have never been prepared for Christmas, certainly not since having the children. This year I have no real work commitments so I actually stand a chance of being a bit more organised.

As well as hoping to make my Xmas cards this year, I have high hopes (or pie in the sky) ideas of making Christmas cakes, Gingerbread houses, truffles, decorations, gifts...........

If I can achieve even a few of my creative Christmas ideas I will be very happy. I think it is time for me to sit down and sort myself a few targets.

Tags for the teachers!

Last minute.com strikes again!!! I went back to work today, without much of a voice, but wanted to see out the last day of term and the Xmas Party for the children. After work i got started on a bunch of tags for the teachers and helpers. Another job crossed off of my very long list.

 A simple design, stamped and then coloured with Copic, embellished with a touch of Glossy Accents and some fine glitters.


CraftyHazelnuts Christmas Challenge- Anything goes

Recipe for salt dough Christmas Decorations

Full of cold, can hardly talk, pounding head, rotten cough. Spent the day dosing myself up with Lemsip and stinking of Olbas Oil. A bit of craft therapy to relax and I have had such fun. Still go to personalise the backs of these then string them.

I followed a basic salt dough recipe

1 cup plain flour

1 cup salt

1/2 cup water

extra flour for rolling

rolling pin

assorted cutters

baking tray

foil

Pre-heat the oven to 100 oC

Mix together the flour, salt into a bowl. 

Add the water and form mix until a soft ball is formed. 

Roll out on a lightly dusted surface and cut shapes as required. 

Consider the thickness of the shapes, I did a mixture of some chunkier ones as well as some which were thinner. I will update with more information but I will say, I did break off the point of a star being too enthusiastic with decorating it! Try not to overwork as I found it got a bit tacky and difficult to work with.

If you are making decorations to hang, don't forget to make the holes!!! A drinking straw is great for the job!

Place your shapes onto a prepared baking tray, I lined mine with grease proof paper and covered with foil. Heat for 2-3 hours.

To decorate.

I used a basic children's ready made paint but needed several coats. Once dry, I inked up a few of my favourite stamps and lightly stamped over the shapes. I used Memento inks which did smudge slightly so I would probably go for Staz-on next time. Embellish with Liquid Pearl, Perfect Pearls, Glitter, Metallic rub-ons......the choice is yours. 

I found it quite effective to varnish then sprinkle glitter lightly over the shapes.

I am stringing these as in my previous post, with natural twine, a little lace and some gingham ribbon.

First completed salt dough decoration!

Well, I have had limited success with the salt dough decorations! I took a couple,painted them....several times, then attacked them with inks, glitter, metallic rub ons.....etc. I decided to try out some Glossy Accents but I was either too impatient and rushed in too quickly, or the Glossy Accents had some funny reaction to the paint- it all clouded over on one side of the decoration so I scrapped that one! The little star didn't look tooooo bad, so I just went with the flow.

I now have loads of little shapes all over my work desk, all painted and ready for attack with my inks...oooo....might try some perfect pearls too! 

Attempt at Salt Dough Christmas Decorations!

Yep, as if I haven't got enough to do...I had this mad idea to attempt to make some Xmas decs using salt dough. I did try some a few years back, but as usual, I left everything to the last minute, tried a microwave recipe to save time....and mucked the lot up completely!

Fingers crossed, I will be a little bit more successful this time. We all helped make the dough and cut them out last night and they don't look too bad. A few wonky, lumpy, bumpy ones, but hopefully that will add to their "homemade charm!" LOL

After being awoken by Amelia at 2am this morning, then spending the rest of the night coughing, I was in no real fit state to work today so I thought I'd paint a few little decs as I sip my Lemsip.

I have so many ideas at the moment, perhaps I need to start thinking of NEXT Christmas already, instead of leaving everything to the limit! He ho ho ho!

Anyways, here's a taster of what I am doing in their naked state!

Reindeer Flight!

I have had this die for some time now but I can't think of actually using it before! I had only ever got as far as  making up some distressed card using inks and glimmer sprays, then stamping and inking a few little reindeers......which have sat in a box for well over a year! UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON!

Simple card, attacked with my sewing machine and finished with some metallic sheen.

It's Snow joke.

I have had a "day off" today so I ventured into my little craft room to make a start on my Christmas cards.

Unfortunately I spent more time moving stuff around, putting things back in their right place, stuffing bundles of "Ebay clothes" into the big cupboard in an attempt to not feel quite so claustrophobic. It didn't really help with my creativity I am afraid.

I tried to come up with a simple card, quick and easy to make, that I could make up in bulk rather than send out shop bought cards this year......judging on how it turned out, I think I'll be going card shopping at the weekend. Not a happy bunny!

I made up a backing paper using a music stamp, distress, inked and sewed around. Layered on a snowflake, wrapped in ribbon and twine. Added a few little details and whoopie, 1 more card in my Xmas box!

This card was made using a charm to meet the requirements on the current challenge over at 

Crafts by Carolyn. come over and join the fun!

Just had to share......

....................THIS!!!!!

Ho, ho ho!!!! It's has been a very long hard day, I feel tired and grumpy and getting stressed that I am running out of time (especially child-free time!) BUT when Amelia came home and gave this to me it put the biggest smile on my face ever. Isn't it often the smallest things in life that make the biggest impact!

Sorry for the waffle and the awful lighting but I just wanted to share some Christmas spirit.

Love 'n' hugs.

x X x

Santa Claus is coming to town..

I had a "day off" today. A day to attempt to catch up on housework, phone calls, work records...and even a bit of online shopping.

In a vain attempt to find my crafty mojo I have been scouring the crafty sites but got annoyed with myself for wasting so much time and still not knowing what to buy to get me crafting again. Eventually I settled for a few downloaded Christmas sentiments so I have at least created SOMETHING today.
This afternoon I sat at my breakfast bar singing "Santa Claus is coming to town" all to myself! I coloured the sentiments with my copic markers, inked the edges , backed them onto an old Cuttllebug stamp shape die and finished off with a dab of Glossy Accents on the berries.

I might add a dash of glitter or metallic high lights....that will have to wait until my next "day off!"

Ho, Ho, Ho! ( Trying to get Festive!)

xxx

A Charming Dottie!

This week's challenge over at Dottie's World is to make a card or project using 2 charms and 1 brad, and of course a Charmed Download!







Completely stressed (shall we just mention the word "children!) shattered and mojo-less, I just wasn't happy with where to put TWO charms so I came up with a weird framelike creation!LOL
I enjoyed using me new pastel Christmas papers so much last week, I kept to the same colour scheme and have another Chrimbo card in my box!

Bye for now!

xXx

Dottie's Conditional Christmas Challenge!

Hello everyone, another Sunday another challenge over at Dottie's World;

"This is the time we all make a start on our huge pile of Christmas cards - if it isn't then it should be as you surely don't want that last minute panic :-) To get you started we would like you to create a Christmas card, the condition here is that you must not use traditional Christmas colours, so I don't want to see any reds or greens, anything else is good to go. The only absolute must-have is of course one of the gorgeous Charmed downloads. "

Now this was the perfect reason to get out the new pack of Dovecraft Christmas papers, loads of yummy soft pastel colours. I hope you like my little Christmas Pixie, she is one of my all time favs!

My card was also made for;

My Time to Craft - Jewelled. I have never used these stick on gems before , they were sent to me by a very kind cyber friend and fellow crafter, a little while back. I have got them out, look at them and put them safely back away in their little box....an apt time to actually USE some! LOL

A Sketch for Dottie!

Hiya everyone, well my crafting time this week has been rather hit and miss but after the wreckage that putting up a shelf in my craft room created....I did manage to put together a Design Team card late last night. It is of course for todays challenge over at .Dottie's World


The challenge this week is a fabby sketch:

Be prepared is so not my motto, but I do strive to be so........SO I made a Christmas card!

I had the idea of using snowflakes around the top edge of the circle but I really struggled with incorporating the squares at the bottom of the sketch, until...PING...I had a little brain wave and dug out the unused set of 4 little cuttlebug wintery embossing folders that I have had since first getting my Cuttlebug a good few years ago! That then led on to me using the "Snow Sledding" words folder which I aslo cannot remember ever really using!

This card also fits in with this week's challenge over at;

The ABC Challenge which is U-for unused!

The Saturday Challenge which is to use metal. (Brads,charm, metallic ribbon,metallic rub ons)

Christmas Cards All Year 'Round- which is to use flowers on your card!

Winter Wonderland - See Amid the Winter's Snow.

Right- Chris and Jack have gone swimming so hopefull I can spend a girlie hour or so colouring with Amelia!

Pop over to join in with this fabby sketch over at Dottie's! Bye for now!

XXX

Dottie's gone all Girly!

This week over on Dottie's World the challnge is simply to make a card for a girl.My plan was for me to use another image from the fab new "Sugar and Spice" collection but time got the better of me I am afraid to say so I am showing you a girlie Christmas card I made last week!

3 Stars for Dottie!

It is Nicole's turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World today and here it is;

"For this week's challenge I would like to see three snowflakes along with a Charmed Download. Snowflakes can be felt/die cut/glittered/flocked/distressed/airbrushed...use your imagination or keep it simple....but make sure you have fun!"

Still desperately in need of making my Christmas cards I came up with this.

I used an image from the Holly & Madison World Tour Collection! I cheated a bit with the third snowflake though! LOL

Dottie's World - You're a star!

It was my turn to set the challenge over on Dottie's World and still in search of my crafty mojo I struggled again! I am still in desperate need of some christmas cards so I decided on something that could be interpreted as festive if you so choose to....there are surely other crafters out there that still aren't organised....aren't there?

"This week I would like to to incorporate stars in your creations, it could be a patterned paper, a star shaped card or a few twinkling embellies...the choice is your as long as we can see at least one star and a charmed download....anything goes."

Boy oh Boy...a Dottie Challenge!

It's Lou's turn to set the challenge over at Dottie's World and here is what she said:

"With the recent launch of our new download collection Boy Oh Boy I thought a boy card had to be in order for this week's challenge.You don't have to use one of the new images though any suitable Charmed download will do.HOWEVER! I will be picking one of the entries at random this week to receive a wee prize! If you use one of the Boy Oh Boy digital images I will put your name in the hat twice!
The Prize will be a £10 voucher to spend on something lovely at Charmed Cards and Crafts.
So what are you waiting for? Check out what the design team have to inspire you with and get crafting....you have until next Sunday, one entry per person please."

Eager to try out one of these lovely new images here's what I came up with.

Dottie Digi Downloads go Monochromatic!

This weeks over at Dottie's World it's Nicole's first time at setting the challenge, and a great one it is too! Here'e what she said:

"Hello and Happy Sunday. It's another fun challenge for this week at Dottie's World.I'm hosting...for the first time.I'm so excited to share with you what the design team came up with for this challenge-these ladies are just so talented.And The guest designer for this month Trudy is just so super talented; we are so happy to have her along with us this month.Anyways, the challenge for this week is monochromatic. Everything on your card has to be one color...all and any shades of one color.You must use a Charmed Download.The charmed download can be colored in any color(s).Have fun and I can't wait to see what you come up with!-Nicole"

Now I have had this image printed and coloured together with the paper chosen for a few days ages now but still didn't finish the actual card 'til late last night! Always struggling to get ahead but never quite managing it!

Make sure you pop over to Dottie's World and see the creations from the rest of the DT for some fabulous monochromatic inspiration!

I also took inspiration from this week's challenge over at Papertake Weekly which is Four Seasons!

I used Holly from Pixie Chicks #1.

DewDrop Craftz Challenge!

Nikki is changing the format of the challenges over at DewDrop Craftz for a while during the summer holidays. The latest challenge is:

Cheap as chips!

The challenge that I am posting today though is going to be running until September 27th to allow for those who are on holiday or those who are soon to be taking a holiday, to have the chance to take part.
The challenge for this period is 'Cheap as Chips'..To make a card, layout or other creation as cheaply as possible, not counting the card blank!!

All I have used here is cards stock, cuttlebug embossing folder, computer generated sentiment and a small piece of a ribbon that was a freebie in a magazine.

Please pop along and join in the fun-we'd love to see your ideas.

Dottie's World - Christmas in June!

It is my turn to set the Dottie's World Challenge this week!

On my brief travels around the world of Blog recently, I have noticed one or two Christmas cards popping up. Now I know it's "Flaming June" but I am sure many crafters out there strive to be prepared so this week I want to see:

Christmas in June!!

Chose your Charmed Download and get festive!

Now a while back the lovely Karen set us a Christmas Challenge, but to be honest I so enjoyed actually making a Christmas card without the stress of Christmas itself...hence the reason for another Seasonal Challenge........LOL......Now I have 2 Christmas cards all ready in a little box!

Here's what I ended up with:

I used Holly in England from the Holly & Madison World Tour Collection , circular sentiment from the Dottie and George Christmas Collection, and a few scraps of Basic Grey...this is only the second time I have used this download image and I love her- she is fab to colour in!

Now, with the teasers of the new Pixie Collection coming out shortly I was hoping they'd be ready for me to choose a little pixie, colour her red and adapt her into a Christmas Pixie, unfortunately the collection isn't quite ready BUT go over to Dottie's World and see what Lou has made for this week's challenge.......SQUEALS in delight!!!

Love to see you all joining in! The rest of the Design Team have some great inspiration, so it may be Flaming June, but join in and be one card closer to being prepared this Christmas!