Tuesday 31 December 2013

Festive Good Wishes and a Happy New Year

Hi and a very belated Merry Christmas and best wishes to everyone for a very happy, peaceful and prosperous new year. Sorry I haven't been around much or visited many blogs in the last couple of weeks work has kept me busy.I did though have a wonderful day off work on Christmas day spent with my husband and daughter which was great and have been busy at work since but I'm off today and thought I would catch up with friends and fellow bloggers as its been a while. I hope everyone has had a lovely time over the festivities with family and friends.We had a lovely time and I also got my husbands birthday off on the 28th which was another great day.I didn't get many opportunities in the past few months to post many of christmas or other cards so thought I would make my last post of 2013 the christmas card I made for my daughter this year; unlike most of the christmas cards I made this year which where quite simple;I kept this more traditional and cute...who could resist such a sweet snowman. I bought the stamp when I was at the NEC in November(my birthday treat);My daughter loves anything dotty hence the theme...I also bought a lot of Annmarie Designs dotty and gingham card packs and other bits an bobs when at the NEC including some lovely flowers and stems that I have yet used.This was the first time I used the card it and it is wonderful quality and range of colours is fab. The cute snowman  postage stamp is from a Papermania set.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas 


Close up snowman 
cute snowman charm 

I used the following
6x6 square craft card 
black and white cardstock -layering and die cut trees
various papers/card - including cream dotty card- Annmarie Designs 
'Bertie' snowman stamp - Hobby Art -coloured Copics/Promarker and added WOW embossing glitter
die-cut Christmas trees
sentiment stamp - Me to You stamp set- Winter Wonderland( magazine freebie )
from stash
white satin ribbon
Craft Candi- spots added with white gel pen 
snowman charm- local bead shop


I wish everyone well and hope you have a lovely time and that 2014 brings much happiness. I'm hoping to have a bit more free time and to blog more...we will see what the new year brings! All the very best and lots of crafty hugs to everyone...thank you for taking the time to visit and I hope to come see you soon..off fora blog hop before I make dinner.
Andrea X


I wish to take part in the following challenges 








Wednesday 18 December 2013

WOYWW 237


woyww wishes to everyone and apologies as I haven't been around for a few weeks; work has gone from bad to worse with staffing and unfortunately I haven't had the time to craft or post or visit anyone in days... actually its been weeks! I'm off work today which is my last day off until Christmas day (fingers crossed as still to confirm staff cover) I've never had to work Christmas day and hopefully that wont change this year! I have lots to do including catching up with housework and ironing and wrapping pressies, but couldn't not post as having severe withdrawals... what from you ask WOYWW of course...go to Julia's at the Stamping Ground and check it out...you wont be dissapointed.


The craft room is an exceptionally Christmas free zone..Christmas crafting has been all put away and other than some boxes for cards that I MUST make today...as going tomorrow to the recipients.My craft room is very neat and tidy...the card in progress is for a friend who's birthday is on New Years day.I found some paper packs and chipboard's that came free with a magazine. which should make for an easy and quick card to make. Hubby's birthday is on the 28th... eek!...I haven't a clue what to do or when I will have the time to make his but I'm sure I will manage it somehow. 



I have been naughty and sneaked in a photo of my christmas tree(sorry Julia)...I had to as hubby excelled himself this year... he always does the tree and I came home last week very stressed from work to this years masterpiece... how could I not be happy...  I do love Christmas... I also sneaked in a photo of one of my many christmas tags... like my cards this year I haven't photographed most of them,haven't had the time.I have so many and probably enough for next year too!.. I think I got carried away and enjoyed making the tags as they where simple and quick to do. I hope you have great week and are all ready and organised for the festivities. I will visit later today once I've finished some of my many chores...lots of crafty hugs and if I dont post next week have a very Happy Christmas and lovely time whatever you do and whoever you are with. Crafty hugs... Andrea X

Wednesday 4 December 2013

WOYWW 235 ...Messy Desk Alert!

Work soon so a quick post again this morning before work. I had to change my days off work at the last minute this week,which means I've just had the last two days off work...unplanned...but on a positive note it has given me the opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done and make a start on my Christmas tags...(I seem to get so much more done when off on a week day)...I've made quite a few tags already and unlike last years the majority are much more simple design and I'm having fun in the process. My desk looks like a bomb has hit it...be warned it is unrecognisable as mine!

mess in action !
I dont usually leave everything out but as I'm popping in and out and the tags are quick and easy to make it makes sense to leave everything I need to hand(I didn't realise just how many christmas stamps I have!)...You would think making something so small as a tag would create less mess!...but I guess that's work in progress for you !

The rest of the desk !

Why am I showing you my desk you ask?...its What's on Your Work Day Wednesday of course...hop over to Julia's at the Stamping Ground to take part.Share what's on your workdesk each week and best of all get to snoop on everyone else...once you start you wont want to miss it. As usual off to get ready for work soon and I will be back later today to visit everyone...hopefully I will do better than last week; it was the weekend in some cases before I visited WOYWWers
I hope you have a  great day and week ahead... thanks for visiting...lots of crafty hugs Andrea X

other side-no escaping the mess !

Some finished tags :-)



Sunday 1 December 2013

Proud Parent

A quick post this morning and its not a card,that will hopefully be later today after household chores are done.On Thursday we had a lovely time at my daughters graduation ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral. It was a bit of a rush getting there late Wednesday night and then back late Thursday evening for work on Friday  but well worth it. It was a lovely day, the service in the Cathedral was very well done and the perfect setting... they all looked wonderful (cold but worth it).
I just had to share a quick photo. Doesn't she look good (biased I know). I look short...I was being sensible in flat shoes!... as you get older comfort beats vanity every time!...thankfully there aren't too many photos of me as I was taking most of them...(I so dislike getting my photo taken some people are just not made photogenic!) 
It was her day and she looked as always beautiful and I'm a very very proud mother. Well done Claire and I wish you a wonderful, happy and fulfilled future in whatever path you choose to take. Love you  lots mum X 

Wednesday 27 November 2013

WOYWW 234

Have you noticed how quickly Wednesdays comes around!...as is now becoming the norm its another quick post before work. I'm an early start again this morning and a busy day ahead as we are off to Canterbury after work for daughters graduation tomorrow,unfortunately I couldn't get more time off work so HB is driving us down tonight after work and we are coming straight back tomorrow after the ceremony for work on Friday. I still find it hard to believe she is 22 and graduated...where does time go!...my baby is all grown up...I am very proud of her.
 stamps and Christmas bits 
Oops back to the desk... the reason for this post...sorry Julia got distracted :-) I've not a lot to show this week I'm afraid...sorry work has been hectic again due to more staffing problems...it seems to appear to get better then...boom...chaos!.. it could be much worse in many ways. There are a few stamps and bits waiting to be transformed into cards and HB's Christmas card is under construction  but I cant show you it just yet. I'm behind with Christmas which is not like me at all most of my cards are made but I still have the majority of Christmas presents and shopping to do let alone all the tags, card inserts and boxes I still have to make...eeek!...I need an extra month !...on a positive note I do have a tidy and organised work space though :) 

sneaky peak HB's card

HB's Christmas card which is almost done is hidden under the  card... sorry I dont want to spoil the surprise and give too much away as he does occasionally visit my blog. finished daughters last week but as she does read my blog I can't show this either...what!... hmm!...sorry...go check out the Stamping Ground for lots and lots of very exciting and interesting desks...I promise you wont be dissapointed and will want to keep going back for more.Have a great week ahead and thanks for taking the time to  visit it is appreciated...I will return the visit soon...crafty hugs Andrea X
PS I will come visit as many WOYWWers as I can, it may be the weekend though before I get the opportunity 

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Running out of Time !

Good evening sorry I have not been around much; staffing amongst other things is a problem at work again which is keeping me busy and unfortunately out of the craft room. Not much progress elsewhere either and I have still most of my christmas shopping to do!...I think its going to be last minute rush this year wish isn't me. I'm not making much more progress on the Christmas card making front and I still have my tags to make, I'm not sure if I am going to manage it this year...I think I'm almost there with the cards but haven't made any tags or boxes or inserts; thankfully only a few of the cards I made so far will need boxes. On a positive note I did get to have a  play with some of my great birthday pressies this afternoon and the craft room is looking very good and well organised. I finished my daughters Christmas card but I can't post it yet as she will see it instead this is one of the ones I finished and not yet posted.
Merry Christmas 


As with most of my cards made so far not sure who is getting what card this was made using a free Humphrey's corner stamp and some of my stash of christmas papers most of which are also magazine freebies.I love blues and red together.I did have a little accident when I coloured in one of the ears of the reindeer green...oops! so it's now a slightly odd shade of dark brown ! 

Close up detail 

don't look to close at colouring !

Off now as I need to get dinner finished(before it burns!) thank you for coming to take a look and I hope you are having a good week and are organised for christmas...not long to go!...thank you for visiting and crafty hugs Andrea X 

I used the following 
white Linen base card
red and white card for layering and die cut flowers
Humphrey's Corner stamp- coloured copics and promarkers 
die cut leaves stamped and coloured and glittered
die cut sentiment- coloured copics
from stash-
red ribbon white stitching 
buttons 
snowflake and checked papers -magazine freebies(last year) 
I would like to take part on the following 





Wednesday 20 November 2013

WOYWW 233

Good morning and a very happy Wednesday to everyone, I hope you are well and ready to enjoy the day ahead...Wednesday seems to come around so quickly...which means its time to share my desk with you all...why you ask?...if you don't already know go check out the wonderful host Julia at the Stamping Ground and join in the fun..you won't want to miss it. Sorry Julia its not short and it's photo heavy...so apologies now for along post! I'm also not sticking to the rules and sharing a bit more than just my desk, but as birthdays are only once  a year  I did not think you would mind :-)

 how did they do that !  

lucky me!     
                              
I'm definitely showing off today as yesterday was my birthday and I had a lovely day, I was very very spoiled. I woke up to a beautifully arranged pile of pressies...had Christmas came early...I think it has...I had the most wonderful and relaxing day off work with husband and daughter...perfect,I couldn't have asked for anything more. Last week I went to the NEC and for various reasons and work I hadn't had the time to unpack my goodies and as I also got some great birthday presents; I just had to share the before and after photo's of my desk/craft room taken last night when I got everything together and had the time to rearrange and put everything away.

lots of goodies !

I am very fortunate as not only did I get lots of crafty goodies abut other great gifts too...dont panic I haven't taken photo's of them!...Hubby treated me to 2 new sets of copic pens and storage and my daughter bought me the beautiful glass jar also you can see my NEC purchases. I got some great buys including some poinsettia and alphabet dies.stamps, some great floral bits and pieces and fab new inks that have been on my wish list a while. you will also see a cute new friend the giraffe he doesn't have a name as yet!... will be coming soon .

the usually unseen side- more mess! 

It took me just over 2 hours to re-arrange everything and it's not quite right yet... but progress has been made.I couldn't resist keeping out one of the pretty gift bags I received...it seems a shame not use it for something so has some "bits n bobs" in it for now!...now I just need to get some crafting time to play...alas not now as I need to go to work shortly but hopefully after work today. I wont be able to visit anyone until after work and over the next few days I will hopefully catch up with everyone ...We have a very busy and important week at work,as have inspectors in all week, which means I won't be around much. I hope you have a great day and a lovely week ahead sending you lots of crafty hugs from a very Happy Andrea X

All tidy-now more space than ever !...not to close as daughters half made Christmas card is there also !

organised and neat !




Sunday 17 November 2013

Warmest Wishes

I'm working later this morning but doing my usual early morning awake routine...come 8am I'm ready for bed again! So I thought I would make good use of the time and post another card. I got my crafty fix yesterday and made good progress on my daughters christmas card so I'm a happy chappy...will post that one after christmas as she reads my blog!
I  have really enjoyed using this stamp and die set and they have been used for the majority of my cards this year. this time I've went for  a bit of bling and sparkle 

warmest wishes 

I used vellum for the poinsettias which  I also stamped and heat embossed before die cutting .I did learn though not to pull too hard when shaping the petals or you pull the petals off!...it took several damaged flowers to get that right! 

poinsettia "bling "



close up sentiment 

Again I used my favourite silent night paper pack; I can see this will be needing replaced as I love all the papers and using it up fast. Time I  got ready for work, I  hope you have a nice and relaxing day whatever your up too and thanks for visiting...Crafty hugs and I hope you have a good week ahead Andrea X

I used the following materials-
white linen base card
green and silver mirror card layering die cuts 
vellum- stamped and silver heat embossed poinsettias and die cut
silent night paper - matted  with green mirror card  
Sentiment-sweet memories set die cut circle-layered onto scalloped circle coloured copics and glitter 
holly stamped and die cut -coloured copics and add glitter
from stash-
silver ribbon 
various size gems 
glitter 

Challenges I would like to enter- 


Saturday 16 November 2013

Winter Wonderland

Good morning I'm off work today and working tomorrow; the plan is to spend at least a few hours crafting the weather outside is very cold and dull; a perfect day for staying indoors with the heating on...the food shopping and housework will need to wait. I still haven't unpacked my goodies form last weeks trip to the NEC and having craft withdrawals... firstly though a quick post to share another of my christmas cards. I'm still well ahead despite so little craft time the last few week...starting early was definitely one of my better ideas!...I don't think I've many more I need to make(must count them first!) though I still want to make labels and a few will need boxes made.

winter wonderland 
This might be hubby's Christmas card...not yet decided. The stamp was a magazine freebie from last Christmas as was the Nitwit papers (there's a similar theme here as always!)...spots and stripes... my two favourites designs although spotty papers I could use on every card I make... I love them big small mix of both! and they work with any type of card you need... perfect! I've added some wooden embellishments some bought,some freebies and the cute tree was from  hand made Christmas gift tags I bought a few years ago... I just had to recycle it...too cute not to. 

 "Embellishments"

Close Up Colouring 
I used the following products- 
White linen base card
blue, red and white card for layering and die cuts
Ice skating stamp-coloured copics promarkers
winter wonderland stamp(magazine freebie)-coloured
from stash
felt snowflake 
wooden christmas tree (recycled from tag)
wooden snowflake and stars 
twine
snowflake punches small and medium

well I have had a very lazy morning; so off to be a bit more productive!(not too much)...I hope you have a good weekend and thanks for visiting it is very much appreciated...crafty hugs Andrea X

I would like to take part in the following challenges 
Alphabet Challenge Blog -Challenge-T is for Twine
Christmas Stampin All Year Round-Challenge#42- Stripes
Sister Act Card Challenge #33- Anything Goes 
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge CCC#168 Snowflakes
As you like it Challenge #15- what's your favourite-Spots and Stripes-(spots are my favourite see post) 
ABC Christmas Challenge- W for -Winter Wishes 

Wednesday 13 November 2013

WOYWW 232

Its Wednesday again !...the day that comes around ever so quickly each week ...which can only mean it WOYWW  time; hop over to Julia's at the Stamping Ground to take part in this marvellous weekly world blog pop of crafty sharing. Sorry this will be a very quick post as a bit behind this morning! Its been a busy week with work but I did get to go to the NEC for the first time on Saturday it was very busy ...although a bit overwhelming for me...I didn't get around it all or even find all the stands I wanted to!...I did get to meet up with Shaz aka Shazsilverwolf, which was great, it also meant we got a break from the halls, had a very well earned coffee and a chat... if it wasn't for WOYWW we wouldn't have met !...so thanks Julia:-) 

Sorry about the quality !


Sorry about the quality of the pics taken very quickly this morning and my PC doesn't want to let me edit them at all...very grainy and dark.As you can see I'm back in full Christmas card mode once more. sadly I haven't had time to play in the craft room much I  did get some time on Sunday and even worse I haven't even unpacked my goodies from the NEC yet...still in the plastic bags!... I'm day off tomorrow so plan to sort out my goodies then and hopefully get my crafty fix too...then back to work for another weekend. Go check out Julia at the Stamping Ground for some much more exciting spaces and even better share your desk if you haven't already...must go now...work soon,thanks for taking the time to visit and I hope to be doing my rounds after work today, if not I'm day off tomorrow...I will catch up with you,promise.Have a great week ahead... Crafty hugs...Andrea X 

Sunday 10 November 2013

NEC Weekend Off

good morning and its great to have a weekend off; my first one in what feels like ages and so far so good; I had a great day out yesterday at the NEC...it was my first time there and  all a bit overwhelming... didn't  get around more than half of it ...or find all of the stands I had wanted to visit!...it didn't stop me spending all of the money I took with me though(thought best to have a budget and no cards with me!)...I did get some great new goodies and it was well worth the aching arms I have this morning !... next time though I will be more organised and have more of a plan. I did meet up with Shaz who is a regular weekly WOYWWer that I visit, which was great and another first ...we had a coffee, a well earned break from the halls and a chat before going on our separate ways...doesn't blogger make the world a much smaller and nicer place...so thanks Shaz, it was great meeting up with you and I hope you had as good a day as I did.

'a few of my favourite things' 

Today I've posted a tag I made  a couple of weeks ago now when I was having my Christmas card free week. Its not  my usual style but something I've always wanted to try and would like to do more of... inking and blending isn't my thing usually but slowly I'm getting more practice and confident ... I'm pleased with how it turned out from starting life as a plain white tag I even inked the back! Next time I'd like to try mixing more vibrant colours and stamps and less flowers... and I would love to try more altered art type projects and journalling but that's for another time!...I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but hey it was fun making and it and it does incorporate some of my favourite things flowers, butterflies,birds and buttons.

close up bird ,butterflies and flowers 

another close up 

Well time for some housework and ironing now that i've had a day to myself, I hope to fit in a little bit of card making too. I hope you have had a good weekend and have a great week ahead many thanks for visiting and crafty hugs Andrea X.

I used the following-
White luggage label tag
Sentiment stamp-Teresa Collins Fabrications Linen stamp set
lace border stamp-My minds Eye -The sweetest thing -Hello  stamp set
Butterfly and flowers stamp-BoBunny -Ambrosia  stamp set
Words stamp-(sections stamped randomly)freebie set Get Stamping issue 1 
Inkadinkado multi stack sets - pigment inks reds and orange 
From Stash-  
Paper and fabric flowers- various 
Red roller ball glitter pen-used on some of the butterflies (not visible on photos !)
Wooden Heart -coloured red Promarker
Bird embellishment -inked with Rangers Tea Dye distress ink
Black ribbon 
Buttons 

I would like to take part in the following challenges-

Wednesday 6 November 2013

WOYWW 231

Morning and  a very happy WOYWW to everyone ..what that its the weekly  blog hop of crafty creative workdesks or spaces around the world; hosted by the fabulous Julia ..so many people take part now it takes me a week to check them out:-) !! 
Its  a short and sweet post this morning as I'm an early shift so off to work shortly.  As you can tell from my desk shot taken last night after work (my excuse for poor photo !) Christmas cards is once again in full swing after my short break. I posted my autumn card yesterday and still have a tag to post which I'm very very pleased with. Anyway back to the desk this weeks  Christmas  card is almost done, I'm just being indecisive about the flowers... do I  use die cut or paper roses?... decisions... decisions... I keep changing my mind!...Maybe I could ask you to vote and the highest number for whatever ones wins! ...well I hope you are having a good week and saw lots of fab fireworks last night alas I was working but heard them!...I will come  and visit, just might take me a few days with work etc to visit you have.I hope you have a good week ahead and thanks for dropping in...crafty hugs Andrea X

work area 

 long view 

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Colours of Autumn

Good morning I'm late shift today so time for another quick post.This is the autumn card that I was working on last week...when I was getting a bit bored with Christmas card making.Christmas cards are now back in full swing production once more!...I'm happy with the design although would be better if I'd printed the digistamp a bit smaller as it does take over the card a bit but it was fun to colour; who couldn't resist such a cute fairy and bear...I chose it some time ago from Di's Digi Stamps following a card competition win; they have some awesome digi stamps and I would happily have them all. The papers used for the background and the stamped leaves are I think HOTP and the heart and butterfly borders where cut form a freebie paper pack that I've had for ages. As you can see I only have one leaf stamp and used it well!...my favourite part has got to be the mushrooms again these where cut from the same stamp set as the leaves, which where a freebie woodware set with a magazine(as is most of my stash it would seem !)...well off for a little blog hop before work.Thank you for visiting ;its much appreciated...and I hope to be back soon. I hope you have good bonfire night and don't get too wet or windswept !...crafty hugs Andrea X


best friends 

'close up' colouring 



mushrooms and sentiment 'close up'

Products used-
5x7 white base card
green and brown card for layering
Autumn leaves paper-HOTP (free paper) for layering and stamped leaves
stripey paper -My minds eye 
butterfly and heart border  magazine freebie paper pack
fairy toadstool digi stamp-coloured promarkers and copics
Stamped leaves and mushrooms -woodware Autumn Stamp set 
from stash
ric rac and grossgrain ribbon
buttons 
small peg
Sentiment die cut circle and inked 

Challenges I would like to take part in-
Hiding in my Craft Room Challenge-HIMCR#122 Fall Colours
Marks Finest -Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge#184 - Orange and brown 
Inkspirational Challenge #42 -photo Inspiration 
Challenges 4 Everybody -Challenge#32-Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #179-Falling into Autumn
Brown Sugar Challenge #66 Things with Wings 
Lisa Somerville Bloggers Challenge - Things With Wings
Craftyhands Challenge#1 - Anything Goes 
Wags'n' Whiskers Challenge #116 - Fall Colours




Saturday 2 November 2013

Wet ,Windy ,Wild ... Winter !

Well another weekend of working which means I've not a lot of spare time so thought I'd do a quick post tonight in between making dinner!...lets hope I dont get too distracted and burn it!...as I'm still ahead with the Christmas card making I thought I'd share another one with you this evening. I have finished the autumn card I was making during the week and even made a tag too;but will save that for another day, tonight's card is using a sweet Wild Rose Studio stamp and papers which where free with a  magazine, she was a joy to colour and makes a sweet card I think .The trickiest part was the flowers as I wanted to add the stamens; heat embossing and colouring the stamens was very fiddly but I  think it was worth it.

christmas wishes 

close up colouring 

"bows and bling" 

I  used the following 
6x6 square white scalloped base card
green white and red cardstock - layering and die cuts
floral paper- wild rose studio freebie magazine
red /white christmas trees paper- magazine freebie also (last years)
Annabelle stamp- coloured promarkers copics and glitter
christmas wishes Stamp - embossed 
Dies used
scalloped circle and circle 
Christmas tree and snowflake
poinsettia die
fancy frame tag 
From stash
red organza ribbon
red glitter brad
flower stamens silver embossed and or coloured and clear embossed

Well I  hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a nice time wherever you are and whatever your doing or planning to do...its back to work for me in the morning...Its wet windy and miserable outside tonight; perfect for a cosy night in with a good film. I hope to be back visiting again soon...crafty hugs and thanks for popping in its very much appreciated...Andrea X.

I would like to take part in the following challenges 

Aud sentiments challenge#92-Inspirational Christmas  
Paper Crafting Journey Challenge - Anything Goes 
Delicious Doodles Challenge '#60 1,2 ,3 challenge