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. I 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 

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 scalloped flowers,roses and  snowflake

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 

Through the Craft Room Door- Challenge TTCRD Nov 25th - Anything Goes 

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge- PTT#148- Anything Goes

LEJ Designs -Challenge#81 -Buttons Bows or Beads 

Clear it Out Challenge Blog Challenge-Anything goes and use a snowflake

Bearly mine Challenge #114-Anything Goes 

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 !

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 

white pearlescent card- die cut layered snowflake die and poinsettias 

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- 

Crafty Calendar Challenge -All Things Christmas 

Hiding In My Craftroom -HIMCR#124 -Die Cuts

Time 4 Scrap Challenge #24-Use a Die 

Paul Holifields Crafts -ALBC challenge#1- Sparkle and Shine 

Creatalicious Challenge #57- Christmas Time 

Emerald Fairies -Challenge#49 Ribbons/lace and Bling 

One Crazy Stamper -November Monthly Challenge-Christmas 

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

die cut circle scalloped circle 

festive christmas stamped and  die cut 

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 

Crafting by Design- Anything Goes with Twist of Christmas

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 

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... I 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 

Various inks -Rangers- Archival black ,Spiced Marmalade ,Worn Lipstick 

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-

Eclectic Ellapu- Challenge-Anything but a a card-last challenge 2013 

Brown Sugar Challenge#67 -Anything Goes 

Crafts 4 Eternity Challenge-R#149-Anything but a card 

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #167-Anything But a Card

Crafting By Designs challenge Anything Goes 

Rhedd and Rosie Challenge #19-  Birds and  Blooms Challenge

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #172-Tag It

Try it on Tuesdays -Colour Explosion -Bright or Seasonal

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 

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

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 

Jingle Belles Challenge - Not a creature was stirring 

Crafty Girls Challenges - Challenge#5-Anything Goes 

Crafting With Dragonflies- Challenge#14- Make your own flower

I love Promarkers - Challenge#192- Anything goes 

Inky impressions challenge#132-Traditional Christmas 

Simon Says Challenge - Anything Goes