WOYWW 186

Morning everyone I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day and are still enjoying the festivities. Happy WOYWW thanks to Julia the fabulous host at The Stamping Ground sorry no craft creations to show instead I get to share my great Christmas presents with everyone today. I will find them all a perfect home at the weekend. I'm fortunate to be off work today and the festivities will be ongoing. I got lots of new crafty goodies, no time to use any of them just yet but hopefully will get the opportunity to spend a little time in the craft room at the weekend. 

                                  Wide view of desk 

My wonderful daughter put together the most amazing box; she filled a pretty storage box with all things imaginable from magazines to ribbons pens, heart pegs, punch, buttons, paper and pearls etc...It quite overwhelmed me as I wasn't expecting anything like this; she is such a thoughtful and fantastic daughter. Hubby was just as impressive and got me amongst other things  another copic set (whoopee)a beautiful notebook and new pen.Coincidently they both bought me the same ribbon pack and where a bit disappointed, I wasn't it’s a great set and means I have more to use I have been spoiled again; I do feel very fortunate. I hope everyone is well and get to spend time with family and friends. I will be visiting but sorry it probably won’t be until later in the week. Hopefully I will see you over at The Stamping Ground. I'm off now before hubby and daughter wake up.

close up right side

close up left side

Happy Christmas …hugs…Andrea x   

My Favourite Five Christmas Cards 2012

Christmas Eve is here and another quick post tonight to  share my top five Christmas cards of 2012 . Visit Debby over at A ScrapJourney who is the fabulous host to take part. This is my first year of making cards and my first top five posting ,best wishes to everyone and hopefully I will be back with more cards in the New Year.

This is my favourite christmas card  and the most elaborate I've ever done find Tilda with bauble link here 

I loved these Molly Bloom stamps as part of Christmas kit and used them in lots of different  colourways, they were a joy to colour and such fun., here is the link 

Tilda with presents that’s  her in 3 of my top 5 ...mmm I think I like Magnolia Tilda !  I like the traditional colours of this one and loved colouring her, the link is here 

This digi with cute boy was from deviant art. I love the blue and silver and went to town a bit !this was my hubby's christmas card and is here 

and my final choice is Tilda with ornaments, another mainly  blue card I used her a lot for my cards, the link is  here .

Merry christmas and best wishes 

Andrea x 

Happy Christmas and Best Wishes

 I would like to wish a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year to family, friends, followers and bloggers alike. The past 8 months have been some of the most enjoyable and interesting in my life. I have met the most amazing kind, talented and thoughtful people from around the world. through blogging . At times I have been overwhelmed by the kind words I've received and by the many people I have visited; the world to me has become a much smaller place. My wish is that everyone has a wonderful time over the festive period with family, friends and those you hold dear. That your wishes, aspirations, dreams and hopes come true and you have an even better year in 2013. Hugs and best wishes. 

 Andrea x 

WOYWW 185

As always time passes so quickly and it’s that day again when we get to have a generous glance (nosey) at our creative neighbour’s work desks around the world thanks to the wonderful host Julia. Don’t know what I'm talking about? or haven’t heard of it before?…why don’t you take part in WOYWW…just hop over to The Stamping Ground and before you know it you too will be hooked. This was my desk yesterday before I went to work it hasn't changed as I haven’t been in there since as finished work late last night and will be off again soon this morning. . The completed pink and blue card is one of my first attempts at this type of colour stamping; and I did try to do a CAS card but didn't quite make it …I needed to add just a few bits! … happy with the stamping for my first attempts but the embossing didn't quite work …the ink dried to quick so next time using embossing powder only, and I was a bit scared of the heat gun ,my its more powerful than I thought! I added glitter to the second stamp to bling it up a bit. 

"CAS" almost !

next project 1 .

The other stamp with bits and pieces is work in progress and has been around now a for a few weeks…It will definitely be my next project...Not sure when but it will. The big brown shoe box just at the bottom edge of the photo is all my Christmas papers and bits; the plan is to decorate the box before I put it away for next year …got to go get ready for work, check out The Stamping Ground for more details. 

I hope you and your family have a truly wonderful christmas that is filled with happiness, joy and peace. …hugs…Andrea x

long view of desk 

Christmas Gift Tags

A short post but photo heavy...sorry there’s  lots of tags to show!

I thought I would share the rest  of the Christmas tags that I made for this years presents, as you can see I  got a bit carried away although  I will use them all. I'm pleased with how they worked with the plain wrapping papers that I chose, as the tags are quite fussy but also fun…my favourite is still the owls…I love them... I've went for plain wrapping papers which are white, recycled craft and plain gold. I think they look pretty good when finished…for a first attempt. They will hopefully make the recipients smile...that’s the plan anyway. Have a good week and thanks for popping in… it’s very much appreciated, hugs…Andrea x 

All together-lot 1 

lot 2 

Molly Bloom stamp 

I used the following-

Tags-coloured and craft card- various magazine freebies.

Gingerbread men, boy stamp - Molly Boom Christmas carnival stamp set

Snowman, tree, presents stamp - Nitwits stamp set
Owl-Digi Stamp from Dilly Beans Stamps

(All coloured with copics promarkers, decorated glitter gel pens)

Various Gems, pearls, buttons, sequins, mesh, candi, lace, brads, bells, stars, ribbon, twine, silver cord and washi tape from stash

Punched and die cut snowflakes- from various cardstock

Die cut Christmas tree,

Peel off's, scraps designer papers, corrugated card and mulberry paper

Embellishments-various from magazine freebies

Tree-Nitwits Stamp set

Owl-digistamp-Dilly beans 

Challenges I  would like to take part in -

Catered Crop Challenge-Tag-You’re-It

Come and Get it Challenges - Anything Christmas

Great Impressions Stamps Challenge December-Anything Goes- Entry 3

Eclectic Ellapu Challenge #10-Anything Goes-Entry 2

Dream Valley Challenge #47-Christmas

Di’s Digi Designs challenge Christmas Creation-Anything But a Card

Anything But a Card Challenge#8

Crafters Café Challenge Week #11 -Tags

Artistic Inspirations Craft-challenge#20- Anything Goes

Pink By Design- Monday Challenge- Tag-Your-It

Make It Monday-Challenge#120-Anything Goes

The Pink Elephant-Challenge#179-Holiday Gift Tags
Jelly Park -Friends- Challenge -Tag it
Fussy and Fancy Challenge #78 Tags and Banners 

Another Birthday Card

I finally got the birthday cards finished; it feels like it’s taken me weeks and weeks to finish just two cards! I have had so little time for crafting, although I've probably spent far too much time blog hopping whilst “Christmas shopping” online!..well more browsing than shopping  really as I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for so difficult to find it. I could be doing other things with my time so only have myself to blame., I'm also getting too cosy by the coal fire...that’s my biggest problem...but it is the best bit about winter especially when it’s cold, wet and miserable outside. 

Birthday 'Bunny'

Close Up

I'm pleased with how this card has turned out and I like the layout, I think its my favourite of the two and the one I will give to HB for his birthday...its always so difficult deciding what pressie to get him when its so close to Christmas…double difficult when he is the hardest man in the world to buy anything for !! Anyway I'm sure he will like his cute card …I do ;-) I do like easel cards. I can go to town a bit, not quite manly but think I will l get away with it… just. I'm Not sure what I'm going to do next, I've no more Christmas cards needed and no birthdays coming up; so I might do some colouring for fun and see where it takes me… or make a load of thank you cards or start to work on valentines day mmm…Choices.

I do need get my Christmas shopping finished so that should be my priority and start wrapping and posting the pressies I already have, so lots to keep me busy.below is a couple  more photos and the challenges I would like to take part in. I came across a fab one called "Pile it On" that actively encourages you to enter as many other challenges as you can, it has a fab DT and is a fun concept. Have a fab weekend and thanks for popping in…hugs…Andrea

Close up of Easel Card Base 

I used the following

White base card also used for die cuts 

Blue and white cardstock- plain and pearlescent -layering, dies and punches   

Blue patterned papers- from stash (sorry not sure where from)

Blue paper-embossed clouds-(mask)

LOTV stamp- magazine freebie -Coloured promarkers/Copics and die cut frame

Sentiment tag -Papermania

Die cuts - various-corners .leaves and delicate asters.

Die cut border edges base and top panel

Punched butterflies and flowers same cardstock's as above

Blue embossed panel- clouds mask)

From stash

Organza ribbon, gems and gel pen - faux stitching  

Card Flat Out 

I would like to enter the following

Flutter by Wednesday- Challenge#218-Must use Butterfly

Addicted To Stamps- Challenge#5- Bingo- Ribbon, free and emboss

Bearly Mine Challenge #65-Anything Goes

Everybody Art Challenge #217-Anything Goes

Through The Craft Room Door Challenge -TTCRD#48-Anything Goes

Twisted Tuesday Challenges 2TC#36- Multiples-Stitching

Challenges for Everybody- Challenge#9-Always Anything Goes

Great Impressions Stamps Challenge December-Anything Goes entry 2

Eclectic Ellapu Challenge #10-Anything Goes

Pile It On-Challenge#49-Embellishments 

WOYWW 184

My goodness doesn't time fly another week gone again which means its time again for WOYWW… Julia’s fab weekly get-together where everyone gets to share what they are up to and show off there creative endeavours. Not a lot going on in my craft room as you can see…I still have the same birthday cards as last week on the go…so nothing new to share this week .I did get one finished and the second is nearly there, its all set out as you can see, a few final tweaks and then I just need to finish it off and then glue it all together. Work is taking up all my time at the minute and there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. I can’t believe it less than two weeks till Christmas and I'm so not organised which is very unlike me. I still have lots to buy and no where near ready. 

 Nearly finished card layout 

view of desk not a lot happening !

This week I'm keeping it short and sweet just as the boss likes it. I need to get ready for work so why don’t you hop over to The Stamping Ground and I will hopefully see you there. Hope you all have a wonderful week , bye for now…hugs…Andrea x 

Birthday Card

sadly I  have not had much time for card making this last few weeks and its taken me nearly two weeks to get this far and finally make another card! …Still one more card to complete before I decide which one to use for Hubbies birthday, I coloured the stamp well over two weeks ago…overall I'm pleased with the card although realised afterwards that rounding the corners was not a good idea after you've layered the papers; I should have done this before hand but didn't think about it, so its not perfect but we learn. It’s a z-fold card I think that’s right and my first one.. I like it…my only other niggle is I wish now I had layered the stamp with card but had decided to edge with my Copics but it bled, not sure why as it is the usual card I used for colouring with, so not quite the finish I had in mind… not to worry I did the same effect with the roses to bring it together a bit.

 Happy Birthday 

Overall I like the design and layout… I'm really enjoying using my birthday pressies; the glass cutting mat makes life so much easier and I love my Grand Calibur; although having a problem with some Joy dies I have which are red and are leaving die on my white pearl card once cut…not a good look for snowflakes!…any suggestions on how to either stop it happening or get any excess paint of the dies would be gratefully received  have a wonderful week , I'm busy this week again so I don’t suspect I’ll get much card making;-(((…hopefully will manage another post though .hugs x 

all three panels

side view

I used the following

White base card

Blue and white cardstock-layering

Blue gingham paper- from stash  

Birthday Paper and die Cut Sentiment -Papermania

Popcorn Bear Stamp -Party Time- Crafters Companion-Coloured promarkers/copics

Die cut corners .leaves,heart 

Die cut spiral flowers- edges coloured with copics

from stash

Ribbon ,buttons, gems, bakers twine and corner rounder punch

Close up 'Popcorn Bear'

I would like to enter the following

Crafty Bloggers Network- December Challenge #6-Anything Goes

Challenges For Everybody Challenge #9-Always Anything Goes

Fashionable Stamping Challenges- Challenge#36- To Die For

Great Impressions Challenge December-Anything Goes

One Stitch at a Time- Challenge #143- More Than 1 Fold.

Hiding in My Craft room - HIMCR #75- Super Scraps Saturday

stamp Your Life- Challenge #1- Anything Goes 

Sweet Stampin Challenge- Dies and or Punches

ATC’s With Attitude- Challenge#28-Anything Goes

Chocolate Coffee Cards- Challenge#28-Recipe (3 flowers, 2 papers and 1 ribbon)

Stamping With the Dragon –Challenge-Anything-Goes

Wags‘n Whiskers –Challenge#94-Anything-Goes

BearlyMine Challenges #65 -Anything Goes

Make it Monday- Challenge #119- Anything Goes

WOYWW 183

I can’t believe another week has gone and it’s again time for WOYWW, hop over to The Stamping Ground to take a look and or take part in the crafty worlds weekly catch up and general sneaky peak into each others world. Julia will make you most welcome and I like everyone else would love to see your crafty creativity in action. This week I am going to keep it short. Not a lot of card making going on since last time

                                          long view of desk

I'm still working on the two birthday cards... Yes the same two as last week not progressed by a pile of papers and card yet.(I like to choose everything I'm going to use; then put it all together a bit OCD I know!). I have named my rescued bear and thanks to everyone for their great suggestions, I put them in a bowl as couldn't decide which was my favourite and the chosen one was ….Chester thanks to Okienurse aka Vikki for her suggestion. Chester is happy with his new name and looking forward to a happy crafty life. Well I said I’d keep it short, so have a great week and why don’t you take part or have a good nosey around at Julia’s, bye for now…hugs…Andrea x

potential papers and card for birthday card 1 

paper and card choices for birthday card 2

SNOW PATROL

Hi a quick post tonight, I usually post on a Sunday but don't think I will manage to tomorrow.I made this card because I liked the digi stamp and wanted to try out my die cutting machine; it’s a cute stamp free from Dearie Dolls Digi’s, she is an amazing talented lady and the site has so many fab free digi's of all sorts. I love the cute mice on this one; I have actually made all the cards I need already so this is just for fun though I might give it to HB instead of the one I previously posted which I was going to use. I'm not planning to get much crafting done this weekend. We spent today out shopping at Stamford and the Christmas fair at Burghley House; we had a lovely time and got some great Christmas presents, which Is brilliant as I have very little bought so far…I'm usually much more organised! The plan is a quick post tonight as its unlikely I will get the opportunity tomorrow, really must do housework, ironing etc as I did so little since the weekend before last with being away for my birthday and work... time just disappears. Hope everyone has wonderful week. Hopefully I will get some blog hopping in some time and come visit… Hugs x 

snow patrol

  close up- cute mice 

I used the following

White square base card

Red textured cardstock

Digi stamp-Dearie Dolls-die cut Sizzix fancy labels

Papers-stripe/spot -magazine freebies

Dark blue paper with snowflakes-Papermania (I think)

Die cut sentiment-Crafters Companion paper kit (magazine freebie)

Green ribbon, bakers twine ,red ric rac and metal bell charm

Die cut corner (Marianne) snowflakes (joy)

Buttons, white candi

Challenges I would like to take part in

Cute Card Thursday-Challenge#245-Snowflakes

Party Time Tuesday-PTT#96- Anything Goes

'ABC ‘challenges- ABC #6-Anything Goes

Bunny Zoe’s Crafts-Monthly Challenge Winter

Paper Makeup Stamps Challenge#64-Christmas

Challenge up your life- challenge#83- 1^st Snow

Crazy 4 Challenges-Challenge#C4C165-Snowmen

Little Claire’s -Monthly Challenge#27-Christmas

My Time to Craft Challenge#199-Snowmen

My Sheri crafts-Challenge#99-‘Tis the Season’

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog Challenge #79- Birds and or Animals

Make it Monday Challenge#117-Anything Goes 

WOYWW 182

Another week and this time to have a sneaky peak at what the WOYWWers are up to. Hop over to Julia’s at The Stamping Ground to take a look and you may even want to join in; we would love to take a look into your creative world. What’s it all about, I hear you ask?... it’s like minded crafters of all kinds sharing their work desks, projects and generally what going on for them today. .Julia likes it kept short I really need to try as very naughty last week and in general! I've been enjoying my birthday goodies from last week and would like to say a big thank you to everyone and there kind comments. I've been a really busy beaver and there are some projects I can’t share such as daughters Christmas card-she is my blog IT expert and fixer so need to keep it well away for now..You can see the back of it on one of today’s pic’s...Sorry Claire your not getting to see it yet!... I've been making the most of my new toys and you should be able to see the card and some of the tags I've been working on. Next to complete is HB’s and daughters Birthday card which I've already started.lots of photos again this week to share .

 long view of desk and drawers ...covered papers are hubbies and daughters birthday cards.shoe box beneath more tags! is all christmas cards to post...I'm showing off!!

'busy' work desk  

I do need to tell you about the one eared Boofles bear. I found him dirty, wet, abandoned and damaged in a car park last week on the way home from Chester. Someone had set fire to his ear and his head was also scorched and black. I felt so sorry for him that I had to take him home. I washed him, “operated “on his ear; sadly it couldn't be saved so I put a nice clean bandage on and now he will be ‘one in million’ and my new lucky craft room mascot…I am a soft touch ...he also needs a name...any ideas? 
I’d better go now I've did it again oops so much for short post! and I really must go to bed now ,work tomorrow, I will be visiting everyone as soon as I can. Have a fab week and happy WOYWW …Hugs x 

  

                                           rescued bear

 back of daughters christmas card on top of drawer unit...nope you cant see it yet!...

                  spot big  birthday pressie in corner...love it !                                                                             

LETTER TO SANTA

thank you to everyone and  there kind comments last week on my birthday. It feels like I haven't posted anything for such a long-time even though its not even been a week yet!  I usually post at the weekend but didn't get the opportunity to ....having too much fun I reckon !

I've Spent a lot of time over the weekend playing with my wonderful birthday goodies and have been very very productive! I've finished both my husband and daughters Christmas cards which where the last two to do. sorry I can’t post my daughters until she has received it, she is my IT expert and blogger fixer so would see it, My hubby's is the one I've posted today...im really pleased with how it turned out. Both of their birthday cards are also well underway as well , HB’s birthday is in December and daughter’s is not until January…so I'm well ahead. I've made loads more Christmas of tags; definitely now i've made up for my lack of time spent in the craft room over the last couple of weeks and cured my withdrawals.

' Letter to Santa '

I used my copics and several of my new die cuts to make this card. I've went a bit OTT but happy with the overall look. I'm really happy with my Copics  although I will still use my Promarkers as I know the colours better and have more of them to choose from,  I have mixed both for some of tags I made  and they work fine together too. I'm off on a little blog hop and I've some tags I also want to post...maybe later tonight. Have a wonderful week and hope you are warm and cosy... lots of hugs...x

 Close up of digi stamp heart charm recycled from candle gift 

Aster die cut with silver and white pearlescent card stock 

I used the following

White square card base card

Mirror card for layering

Snowflake Papers-both magazine freebies 

Stamp-freebie from Deviant Art -sorry will post details when I find it again!

Coloured Copics- die cut with Spellbinders lacy squares

Die cut Sentiment-Polka Doodles stamp set

Corner Die- Marianne Creatables LR0143

Die cut flower- Delicate Aster-Spellbinder

Die cut snowflakes-Joy Sparkling Christmas

From stash

Organza Ribbon, blue cord, 

bakers twine, pom-pom trim

leave and heart stick pin 

Heart charm, bell, and glittered brad

 close up of pom pom trim , die cut snowflake and cute heart charm

I would like to enter the following challenges

ATC’s With Attitude-Challenge#27-Anything Goes or Autumn/Winter

Avadares Challenge Blog-Challenge #5-Christmas or Hanakkah

Brown Sugar Blog-Challenge#17-Anything Goes

Christmas stampin CSYAL#37 –Last of 2012 =Anything Goes

Card and Scrap-Challenge#43=Make Something with Christmas 

Creatalicious Challenges-Challenge#40-Winter 

Just Keep on Creating -Christmas is Just around The Corner- 

Wags and Whiskers-Challenge#93-Christmas

Oozak- Challenge #8 -Winter Vibes

Sparkles-Monthly Challenge#38-Christmas is Coming

Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge- CH#22 Contemporary Colour Combo

Crimbo Crackers -Challenge#29-Anything Goes 

Lady Anne’s Challenges Anything Goes 

The house of stamps challenge DCC1121-Holiday card non traditional colours 

Tanda Stamps- Tanda Teaser #203-Anything Christmas

Stamp n Doodle- Challenge 21st Nov -–Anything Goes

Paper Makeup Stamps -Digi Makeover Challenge#64-Christmas 

 Fashionista challenge #9-Blue Christmas 

Make it Monday Challenge#117-Anything Goes 
Bearly-mine Challenge 63 -Blues and Silver 
Karen's Doodles Challenge#143-Non Traditional Christmas Colours