What a difference a weekend makes ......

Let me explain! It started straight from work on Friday, when my lovely friend Bev picked me up from work, and we headed down the M1! We were heading on a crafty expedition - minus crampons and glucose tablets - more sat navs and mint humbugs! Lol!

The first destination on Saturday morning was The Stamp Attic - and a trip to see my lovely friend Wendy! I took the opportunity to drop off some more samples to decorate her treasure trove - not enough of it came back in my carrier bags though - I was a bit distracted - more of that later, but Bev really made up for it! Here are the samples that I dropped off - these use the gorgeous 7Gypsies Victoria papers, and the new stamps from Hero Arts.

INGREDIENTS:

Papers : 7 Gypsies Victoria, Cardstock : Bazzill, Punches : Fiskars Apron Lace & Effervescence, Stamps : Hero Arts Antique Engravings CL383, Essential Messages CL371, Everday Sayings CL1342, Patterned Buttons CL406, Cling Write Your Own CG113, Hero Arts Cling Big Cup CG164, What’s Perking CL416, Ink : Versafine Onyx Black, Antique Linen, Shabby Shutters, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Embellishments : Ric Rac, Pearls, Distress Crackle – Rock Candy, Stardust Stickles, Ribbon

This one is my favourite though - I just love the contrast of colours in these papers, and they really showed off the Antique Engravings Hero Arts stamps. Really pretty - and lovely to colour. The ric rac is fabulous - such a lovely texture.

INGREDIENTS:
Papers : 7 Gypsies Victoria, Cardstock : Bazzill, Punches : Fiskars Apron Lace, Stamps : Hero Arts Antique Engravings CL383, Essential Messages CL371, Ink : Versafine Onyx Black, Embellishments : Ric Rac, Pearls, Distress Crackle – Rock Candy, Stardust Stickles.

We had a lovely morning though - the time flew so fast! Took a few photos! (Sorry Wendy!) These are of the shop! Could spend a good few hours going wild in these aisles - shame it is 4 hours away from me! Still - it was totally worth the wait!

And here is a photo of two very lovely people!

So, off we went to Peterborough to visit Sir Stampalot - yet again, my mind wasn't really in it, but Bev did us both proud!

I didn't take any photos there - I was on the phone too much because.....

My gorgeous Silly Billy, all 11 months of him - went out for a walk with his Nanna & Grandad, got wrapped up in his flexi lead, and ended up with a broken radius & ulna. He is currently in a very lovely animal hospital in Northumberland, after having a couple of plates put in his leg. Our vets were fantastic on Saturday, and got him all stabilised, ready to be refered. Luckily they were able to see him really quickly. I can't wait until he is home, but he will need lots of TLC - and of course his squeaky duck!

Thanks Bev for all your support (and driving) on Saturday - and diverting me from tears several times during the afternoon by showing me even more stash! You are such a good friend, but crikey - you are terrible for my bank balance!!!

First Snow!

Hi all, just thought i'd share a pic of Silly Billy - now 9 months old! He bounced outside to meet his first snow, and then hurtled around the garden like a Tasmanian Devil!

All I can say is, just how naughty does he look? Lol! You can't see this in the picture, but our other dog, was looking at him like he's an idiot! I'll let you draw your own conclusions!!

Needless to say, we have had so much more snow since this, and a couple of days of long trips to work and home have taken the shine off it a bit!!

And it's snowing again!! As I type!! Lol!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Firstly - this post is not an outcome from my resolutions - I know I will always be an horrific blogger! Lol - but I will try harder!

Just thought I'd share a couple of cards that I have had chance to make today - using new bits! Now this is a resolution - to use more of the stuff that I have! I can hear my husband breathing a mahoosive sigh of relief - but he knows it won't last!!

This is the first - used a layout that I thought would look nice with the image and papers. The image is new, as is the machine that made the mats for the image - I have used my brand new MM Slice - which didn't disappoint at all!

INGREDIENTS:

CARD: Stampin Up! Kraft Cardstock

PAPERS: My Minds Eye Bloom and Grow

CUTTING: Making Memories Slice - Noteworthy Cartridge, Doily Lace Punch - Martha Stewart

STAMPS: Penny Black - 'A Gift for You', Papertrey Ink Vintage Picnic Sentiments

COLOURING: Copic Markers, Copic Spica Glitter Markers

EMBELLIES: Flora Doodles Flower, Dovecraft Brad, Anita's Gems - 3mm, Bazzill Jewel Template.

So, whilst all of that was on my desk - thought I'd make a second card for the day! This one uses the Papertrey Ink Vintage Picnic stamps as the focal point (again cut by the slice), again with the MME papers, punches, bling and Kraft cardstock! The ribbon is from my stash - can't remember where I got it from!

INGREDIENTS:
CARD: Stampin Up! Kraft Cardstock
PAPERS: My Minds Eye Bloom and Grow
CUTTING: Making Memories Slice - Noteworthy Cartridge, Doily Lace Punch - Martha Stewart, EK Success Retro Flower Punch
STAMPS: Papertrey Ink Vintage Picnic, Vintage Picnic Sentiments
COLOURING:Copic Spica Glitter Markers
EMBELLIES: Anita's Gems - 3mm, Ribbon - from Stash

Where had the time gone?

Hello again! Just a quick post - can't put any Christmas cards up yet, as they have not been delivered! So, here is a card I made a colleague for his wife's birthday.

This was inspired by this post in which Marlene used a crackle background on her stamp - so I had a go with my new Tim Holtz Distress Rock Candy - which is fabulous! It went well over Copic Markers, and dried so quickly - even for me who has no patience at all! The flowers started white, coloured with the Copics I used on the main image, with a dusting of rock candy stickles - which you can't see that well, but it gave them a lovely twinkle!

Card : White Card Blank, Kraft - Stampin Up!

Papers: Kaiser Craft Waterberry

Stamps: Leanne Ellis Choose - Sugar Nellie

Colour : Copic Sketch Markers

Tools : Oval / Scallop Oval Punches - Stampin Up!, Eyelet Border Punch - Stampin Up!

Embellishments: Prima E-Line Flowers, Craftwork Cards Mini Sentiments, Spacer - Hobby House, Brad - American Crafts, Rhinestones - Kanban, White Satin Ribbon - Stampin Up!

Have a lovely evening! K:-)

Keep On Truckin!

Hello! Thought I'd pop a card up in the blogosphere! Here is a card I made for my FiL for his birthday - it's not until next week, but I made him open it at the weekend! (Not so I could stick it on the blog I hope you understand - but because I won't see him next weekend. Honest.....!)

So, here it is! I love this stamp - its really cute (in a manly way!), and I have not used any of the accessory stamps on the main image, just on the sentiment. The papers are the beautiful 'Blue Awning' from K&Co. I purchased them ages ago (like last year!! - ahem!) from Wendy at the Stamp Attic (don't know if she has any left!), and the mix of agate and pea greens were perfect for a manly card.

Papers : Blue Awning, K&Co

Cardstock : Kraft Cardstock, Stampin Up!

Stamps : Loads of Love, Stampin Up!

Colouring : Copic Markers

Die Cutting : Woodware 3" Scallop Circle Punch

Embellies : Hero Art Stick on Pearls, coloured with Copic Markers