A bit late I know but ....

I would like to wish all my family, friends ( cyber included ) A very Merry Christmas and  marvellous 2015.

I will be back in the new year with creations.

Well so much for ....

having more time for crafting and my blog ! The last few weeks have just been work and family issues to sort out and it doesn't look like this weekend is going to be any different.

To be honest there is a plus this weekend. Fingers crossed I'll get my illusive 3 stone award and my SW consultants is taking all her social team out for an indian meal on Saturday night. I've bought a new top and am really looking forward to it.

Last night I tried to buy a couple of images from Mo and the bank stopped the transaction for some reason. This morning they rang me to ask for confirmation that it was me making the transaction. Good going fraud team at my bank nice to know my money is safe but I did really want those digi stamps. Back to square one lol..

The sun is shinning, the washing's on and my boy is on his PS3 - inset day. Off to get ready for work and then try and buy my digi stamps.

Fingers crossed, wind in the right direction, help of 2 policeman I might actually get chance to make a card or 2 this weekend.

DS has been to a birthday party .....

well Mega zone, they don't have parties at 10 and 11 lol.

Used a Mo image coloured with crayons and sansodor. I've toyed with the idea of Copics and Spectrum Noir but I just love my crayons. Might treat myself to some Spectrum Noir or the like crayons, but at the moment my Crayola's are good.
The paper is SU and We are memory keepers and the card is from my stash, along with the candy spots.

Made for 2 challenges. Love to create - Lines and Sketch Saturday.

Had a walk to Elvaston Castle today with my fellow Slimming world ladies, children and a couple of woofers. Really enjoyed it but my knee is very pain full now. I'm always in pain but have made it worse by the walk but I'm not prepared to let it stop me doing stuff.

Ta for popping in and taking a look at my ickle bit of cyber space. Feel free to comment good or bad and please drop by again.

Getting excited as Downton is back on telly tonight. Whoop !

Ta Dah ......

It's only taken me most of the day to do this card. The sentiment is blocked as it's for an order, but for 3 challenges too.

Love this cute couple by digi sparkle coloured using crayons and sansodor. Everything is from my stash, I think the paper is by Webster's pages. The 2 back panels are embossed and then inked.

1. The ABC Challenge - TIC TAC TOE so I chose Doily, Sentiment and flower.

2. Mojo Monday - Sketch.

3. The Pink Elephant - Embossing of any sort.

Well lost 3lb this morning at weigh in, so now I only have 2.5lb to my 3 stone award and 7.5lb to my target. I might change that when I get there, see how I feel.

Thanks for dropping in and apologies for nit being around much, work's been a bit hectic. Hope to see you again soon.

Would have got less for murder .....

Got this last night and 2 extra days holiday. Am proud. Have printed a family pic off to put at the back so that I can have it on my desk.

Back over the weekend with some cards.

Just got in .....

from work to find a note from hubby telling me to make sure I locked the car as our neighbour caught someone trying the doors of a car in the road last night. So I did as I was told and double checked the door as I always do.

Hoping to get a card or 2 done tomorrow morning before I go to work. Back in the office tomorrow so I'll be able to get on with my job list. Oh I do like a list don't you.?

Well I'm off to catch up with the residents of Albert Square and maybe a little create and craft tv. I've a lovely big mug of black coffee waiting for me.

Autumn is nigh .....

the weather certainly seems to be on the change, still warm though. Love this little chappie all dressed up ready to trick or treat. He's one on Mo Manning's of course and he's coloured using crayons and sansodor. The paper is from a pad I got from Aldi would you believe ages ago, by a company called Crelando. Fabulous quality and double sided too. The pic doesn't really show that parts are embossed. The sentiment is SU, the leaves were cut with the cricut and everything else is from my stash.

Now onto the challenges which I do so that I actually come into my craft room and create.

1. Allsorts - Sugar and spice. Nice spicey colours.
2. Cute card Thursday - Cute. Well no one can say he's not a cutie.
3. DP2 - Autumn/Fall. Lovely Autumn papers and theme.
4. Moving along with the times - Texture. There's embossing on the paper, have roughed the edges up and added hessian and string.
5. Sweet Sunday sketch over at the Sweetest thing - Sketch.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon.

Beautiful Poinsettia's .....

Apologies for the pic, it's a bit dark I'm afraid. I've had these Poinsettia's stamped for about a week and have been dying to get a card made using them.

I stamped onto red tissue paper and then sprayed it with starch and left it over night to dry. A couple of days later I cut them out, scrunched them up and then stuck the 3 different sizes together and added tiny beads to the middles. I have another idea, but will have to see how that works out.

The paper is Kaiser craft that was free with a magazine, the sentiment is by Chloe's stamps and everything else is from my stash.

I made it for 2 challenges: 1. ABC Christmas challenge - R for Red Poinsettia's. and 2. C.R.A.F.T - Christmas.

Thank you for taking the time to pop in, hope to see you again soon. Off now to watch a bit of telly.

Mellow yellow .....

I've had this SU cutting die for ages and never really used it so I decided I'd give it a whirl today. Turned out alright me thinks.
The paper, ribbon and button are all from my stash. I even dug the old peel off's out.

Followed 2 challenges for this card. 1. Mojo Monday - Sketch and 2. The Pink Elephant - Photo inspiration ( daffodils, cream vase and black and white polka dot table cloth. Which explains all the elements of my card.

I'm working into the evening so don't get much chance to pop on here to post or to visit all your wonderful blogs. Which I miss.

I've filled the beverages and the biccie jar. Thank you for taking the time to visit my tiny piece of craft world. Your feedback is always welcome

Apologies .....

for not being around this week. I've been doing days into nights and haven't really had chance to pop on or make any cards. Sighs deeply.

Well it's been a rubbish day and I'm totally foo barred and it's times like this I would've found comfort in sweets, cake and chocolate but I want that 3 stone award more than anything. So I won't be driven into to my old habits.

Am off to catch up on last nights Eastenders, (there are other soap opera's available lol) and Bake off, oooo I wonder what happened this week.

I'll see you around and If I don't I'll buy one.

I managed to get in my craft room at last ...

to make this little poppet. She's a Mo manning image coloured using crayons and Sansodor. The number and ruler paper have been in my stash forever. The sentiment is a Studio g mini set. I stamped the sentiment with a dew drop brilliance white pad and the alphabet I wrote on with white pencil.
Poppet is for 4 challenges.

1. The pink Elephant - Back to school.
2. C.R.A.F.T - Back to school.
3. Crafts for eternity - Digital (the image).
4. Mojo Monday - Sketch.

Thank you for taking the time to have a cuppa and a biccie with us and please feel free to comment and pop in any time. Visitors are always welcome here.

Busy work wise ....

that's why the biccies haven't been filled up. Just popped a packet of shortbread in there for you all to enjoy.

Hate not getting on here and being able to look at your blogs. It's that nasty W word lol.

DS was back to school this morning. Off he went with new lunch bag, new coat and new shoes. Year 6 where does the time go ?

Busy bee .....

today as I've got the last few things to get ready for DS's return to school tomorrow. Yesterday was lovely and today is looking pretty much the same.

I'm hoping to get a card on later or tomorrow as I've got a new stamp set waiting to be inked. All I'll say is Christmas.

Working in a different location for the next 3 evenings so time may be a bit limited for crafting. Big sigh ! There's just so much I'd like to do, so many ideas running through my head and just not enough hours in a day.

Enough of my ramblings. Have  a lovely day whatever you're doing.

Just for a change ...

no card today, but I did manage to rustle up this PE bag for DS to go back to school with. I saw the fabric in my MIL's shop and had a light bulb moment.

It all fits in so that's a relief. I must get his uniform ironed tomorrow ready for Thursday. We have to go to school tomorrow to pick his tie up as they hadn't arrived at the end of term.

The weather seems to have picked up and is so sunny and warm out there. The washing is swaying in the soft breeze so that'll be dry soon I bet.

Well I'm off to get sorted ready for work, sort my lunch and tea out and try and second guess what the hubster and DS would like for their's. A clue would be nice sometimes.

Baby's 1st Christmas .....

I've had this coloured for a while and not done anything with it so when I saw one of the challenges had blue I just had to use him. Another one of Mo's cuties.

He's coloured using cayons and sansodor. The papers are Dovecraft Tis the season and everything else is from my stash. The snowflakes are punched and the big leaves are a die cut.

So onto the challenges: 1. Allsorts - Christmas. 2. Crafts for eternity - Tic tac toe choose 3 in a line from 9 squares. I chose Blue, Punch and die cut. 3. Moving along with the times - Stitching real or faux, mine are faux. 4. Penny's paper craft - Children and or Christmas. 5. Pile it on - Christmas and number 6 is Sweet sketch Sunday - Sketch.

If anyone knows how to delete old and un used blogs from their reading list please can you let me know so I can get rid and add some new ones lol.

Off to work for me when hubby gets home so it'l be a late one home for me. Might pop on when I get back to see how you're all doing.

Thanks for popping feel free to leave a comment if you want. See you soon.

It's taken me all day .....

To sort this blog out and I'm shattered lol. Not a single card has been made today which is disappointing to say the least. Never mind there's always tomorrow before work. Yes it's back to work for me and hubby tomorrow DS doesn't go back to school until Thursday. I have to say that he's looking forward to it, which ism a bonus.

Well I'm off to watch a bit of telly I think. Don't even know what's on lol, am sure I'll find something. Might treat myself to a cup of coffee. Can smell it already.

Felling very proud of myself

For 2 reasons. Firstly I got Woman of the year for my group at Slimming world group. I've going nearly a year and lost nearly 3 stones with them. It's my year anniversary of joining in 2 weeks and have 5 lb to loose to get my 3 stone award, it's going to be hard work but I'm determind to get it on that day. Keep everything crossed for me. I know I can't go through to national level as I'm not at target, but I feel so flattered that my group voted for me. It's such an honour.
This is what I wanted to share yesterday but had to go out

And secondly I got top 3 on Sunday sketch and stamp challenge 215 with this card. I love this stamp and it's fairly old now and very well used, but always produces a wonderful image.
Congratulations to the lovely Debby 4000 and Karen C for being the other 2 in the top 3.
Please take a look at their blogs as they are both wonderful crafters.

Both things are equally important to me as they have restored some of my confidence in my crafting and in myself. And, for anyone that knows will know that my lack of confidence is an ongoing journey.

Thank you for visiting my little blog and please feel free to come again. Visitors are always welcome.

Just because I can ...

This is one of my all time favourite stamps which I get asked for time after time for wedding, anniversary and engagement cards. So simple yet so affective.
I found the components to this card in a cello bag while I was sorting my envelopes out the other day. So I thought I couldn't just leave it and this is what I made.
I love the neutral tones as it will go with any wedding colour scheme

Off to do a bit more creating.

Just a quickie .....

I've got something to share with you later but first I have to pop out. Looks like it's going to be a busy day.

Off to stock up on biccies and might even treat you all to a cream sponge, seeing as I'm celebrating !

Last one for today ....

and it's a very simple Christmas card for the ABC Christmas challenge, which is Q for quick and easy.

The snowflake is the die that is free on this months Creativity magazine and the sentiment is by Chloe's stamps from last year. I just added a gem to the middle of the snow flake.

Off to get some food. I know i put that earlier but I've still not eaten lol. Too busy in my lovely craft room, listening to the radio, gigging about to 80's hits.

A man's and woman's best friend ....

My lovely little Cairn terrier which I think was  freebie absolutely yonks ago from Pink Gem. The paper is by paper cellar and everything else is from my stash. The sentiment is by Personal impressions.

I'm entering him for 2 challenges. 1. C.R.A.F.T - Animal or pet and 2. Love to create - Mad about plaid.

Off to get something to eat am starving. Will be back tomorrow after weigh in. Keeping everything crossed for a loss.

Back to school .....

for some children this week. My nephew's and niece's have gone back in Leicestershire. Mine doesn't go back until next Thursday. Having said that I do think this summer holiday has gone really quickly.

Onto the card. Isn't he a handsome little man ? Those of you that know me well know that I just love Mo's images, Oooo that reminds me I need to pop in and have a browse. That could be expensive so don't tell the hubster lol.

The paper is We are memory keeper's - Travel light, think it was free off a magazine ages ago and Paper cellar - Checks.
He's for 2 challnges, 1. DP2 - Back to school and Sister Act - Anything goes.

Better crack on, not had my shower yet. Back later ro fill the beverages and biscuits up. You like those chocolate Hob nobs don't you ?

Just love this stamp ...

I have used it so many times for so many different occasions. Everything in this card is made from bits n bobs from my stash. There is a bit of glamour dust on the rose but it doesn't show in the picture.

This simple elegant card is and for 2 challenges. 1. Pile it on - Best wishes / Congratulations and Mojo Monday - Tall and skinny with a sketch. The cards had to be 3.5" by 5.5" or 3.5" by 6". Mine is 3.5" x 5.5".

Thanks for popping in.

Love this image ....

even though she's fairly old now, she's still a cutie. I love the bright yellow, I wasn't sure it would look right but it's turned out lovely. Everything is from my stash and the wheel was cut on the cricut. Even the image has been coloured for a while.
She's for 2 challneges, 1. Allsorts - Bright, summery colours and 2. Cute card Thursday - Anything goes.

The weather has certainly turned and the nights are drawing in, that can only mean 1 thing. Yes it'll be Halloween and Bonfire night before we know it. Don't really do Halloween but just love Bonfire night. Last year we went to one that had traction engines, it was lovely. The smell of the engines was great. Enough rambling best get on and get something done.

Thanks for popping in, off to do a bit of blog hopping and research. I'm thinking of changing my blog decoration.

Finally blogger has decided to work !

I've been trying to get my reading list up for the past hour and finally it's decided to play ball. Thought I wouldn't be able to share this card with the 3 challenges it was made for. So, here goes. 1. Cute card Thursday - Back to school, 2. The Pink Elephant - Anything goes and Sketch Saturday was the lay out.

Both images are Mo's coloured with pencils and sansodor, the paper is by the British paper company and has been in my stash forever, the sentiment is by Wild Rose and the circle and tag are off by cricut and the stars are punched.

Have been craft shopping today which was lovely as I've done any for ages. Will photo my loot later to share. Tonight my friend nominated me for the ALS ice bucket challenge so that's tomorrow mornings task.

Off to get a drink and the rest of my syns for today. Au revoir mon aimee's.

Something for a little girl's birthday ...

and for 3 challenges. I love Mo's images and this is such a cute one. That's my first challenge over at DP2 and that's for a girls birthday card. 2nd is Sketch n Stash where they ask you to follow the sketch and use neglected or new bits from your stash. The new is my Cricut which I used to cut the greeting and the number.  Also the ribbon is new too. The old is the paper which I got off a magazine a while ago and never used. The lace and gems I've had a while too. And number 3 is Sister Act where Anything goes this week.

Brrr isn't chilly I think the weather is definately on the turn and the nights are drawing in. Autumn will be here before we know it. Oh and then oh yes it'll be that "c" thing at the end of December. This year is going way to quick for my liking.

Well I'm off craft shopping in a bit, off to the Range and Hobby craft at Nottingham. I know we have both in Derby now but both stores are bigger in Notts and it's a trip out. I think there may be a few moans and groans from a certain 10 year old but he'll just have to grin and bare it lol.

Off to get ready see you all later. Ta for popping by, help yourself to the biscuits.

Got myself a bargain .....

from the £1 shop. Couldn't believe it the last one I bought from this collection was £9.99. Love 'em as they go with the postcard one. Loads of ideas going round my head now. Good job I'm off next week lol.

So, if you live in or around Derby nip to the big £1 shop where Woolies used to be and get some. Great for a quid each, but hurry cos they didn't have many left.

Off out shortly to celebrate my friend passing her exams so I'll be back tomorrow.


TTFN
Love Karen
xxxx

Well what a week ....

it's been. I've been so busy with work and chores that I've not had chance to do any crafting. Oh hum.

Anyway next week myself and hubby are on holiday so lots of time for crafting. Woo hoo. We are off to seaside one day, got the boys new school shoes to get and a few other bits and bobs and then it's me time. I've even persuaded hubby to go craft shopping to get some craft essentials. Well as we all now ladies and gentlemen, EVERYTHING in the shop is essential lol.
Hope the weather stays next week, especially the day we go to the seaside.

Weigh in tomorrow and keeping everything crossed for another loss, although it's hard to balance on the scales with your legs crossed lol.

I'm offski to get ready for work. Have a good and happy day what ever you're up to.

My first Christmas card of 2014 ....

and it's for 4 challenges, yes 4.

1. CRAFT challenge - Christmas. 2. Cute card Thursday - Clean and simple. 3. Crafts 4 Eternity - Something old ( my old faithful Stampendous Poinsetta stamp ). 4. Sunday sketch and Stamp - Sketch

I love this stamp and I've made cards with this stamp so may times in so many styles and colours. It always looks so lovely.

Am off to bedfordshire in a mo so see you all tomorrow.

Wedding season ....

card for for a friend of mine that's why there's a random bit of paper stuck to it. It's also for 2 challenges. Mojo Monday - Sketch and Papertake weekly challenge - Spots and Dots ( very subtle on this piece of lovely wedding paper by Paper cellar ). The flowers are cricut cut and hand punched, inked with pale pink. Everything else is from my stash

I've had a busy weekend, going out yesterday and out visiting today. Not enough time in my craft room today so another card before bed me thinks and a bit of crafting in the morning before work.

I'm making a crafty shopping list as I'm off again in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping hubby will take me craft shopping lol. But keep that between you and I ssshhh Mum's the word.

Thank you to those that have visited lately it's good to see you.