A Meeting of Christmas Blogs

Hi! Another busy week but I've managed to catch up with blogging friends and make a couple of cards.  This is just a quick post as I'm off to the SECC in Glasgow with a couple of friends to see Dancing on Ice.  We're going to the afternoon show (cos we're not allowed out when it's dark o'clock) so are having lunch beforehand.  Mr C, our daughter, SIL & granddaughter are off to see our son and DIL.  They had a pool table delivered the other day and it's too heavy for the pair of them to carry downstairs to the games room so extra hands are needed, it's all go!

Hope you have a lovely Sunday.

Hugs

Anne x

Challenges :

Make it Monday - Anything

Christmas Card Club - Ribbons / Lace

Crafts 4 Eternity - Ribbon

Digi Doodle - Anything

Divas by Design - Mono

Papertake - Anything

Stampavie - Mono

Sunday with Santa on Facebook - Baubles

Elements :

Image - Beccys Place

Sentiment - computer generated

Font - Tangerine

Lace & Stars - stash

Dies - Rectangles

Cupcake - DT

Hi! I cannot believe that we are at the beginning of another month.  That means it's time for the challenge in the Cupcake Craftroom.  Mandy has given the DT a fantastic set of papers to work with along with an inspirational photo.  Hope you can play along with us.

Hugs

Anne x

Inspirational Photo 

Last Summer Designer Paper

Challenges :

Crafty Catz - Anything

Cupcake Craftroom - Photo Inspiration

Karens Doodles - Kids

Make it Monday - Anything

OSAAT - Summer

One Stop Card Craft - Recipe

Stars & Stamps - Summer

Elements :

Papers - from Last Summer Collection by Mandy at Cupcake Cards & Crafts

Deco Image & Sentiment - Mmmm Ice Cream

Card Candi - Craftwork Cards

Tight Squeeze

Another Sunday has come round so quickly and it's time again for Sunday with Santa on Facebook.  The subject this week is Humour and I hope I've captured that.  

I made myself a light box last weekend using a white cardboard box that I picked up in the supermarket.  I can't say the photos are brilliant (operator error) but at least there's no shadows.

I've an appointment with the optician at 11 to sign up for my contacts then Mr C and I are off to Homebase to collect the wall tiles we've ordered for the kitchen, all 32 packs of them!  Mr C is so glad he's not having the put them up!

Have a lovely Sunday whatever you're up to.

Hugs

Anne x

Challenges :

Crafty Hazelnut - Sentiment without using the word Christmas

Digital Tuesday - Winter Blues

Make it Monday - Anything

Sassy Studio Designs - Christmas + Sentiment

Elements :

Papers & Image - from Tight Squeeze collection on Festive Funnies CD by Ooh La La Creations

Sentiment - computer generated (Font : Ultra Shadow)

Stars - stash

Cupcake DT - Midway Reminder

Hi!  Sorry I've not been around much since I came home from Spain but I just can't seem to get back onto any kind of routine.  Next week won't be any better as my cousin is on holiday and I promised her I'd visit my aunt (her Mum) more often just to make sure she's OK.  Also on Tuesday I'm meeting a friend so that's next week pretty much taken care of!

My daughter and I were in town this morning.  We are both trying out contact lenses.  Although I've got varifocals I just don't like wearing my glasses as I feel very claustrophobic when I've got them on and if I don't wear them when I'm shopping I can't see any of the blasted prices or instructions on packets!  Oh the joys of getting older!!!  Anyway I got a pack of varifocals to try and also a pack of mono vision and I've to go back with which one I find best.  It's all trial and error.  Luckily my daughter has passed that stage and now is a fully fledged contact lens wearer. She needs them cos she just can't see :)  

Anyway, by the time we had been to the optician it was lunchtime so of course we just HAD to go to Curiositeaz Vintage Tea Room for lunch.  It's a super cafe and is based on an old fashioned tea room, proper refined china and the waitresses dressed in black with white pinnies and hats.  It's lovely to see a bit of class creeping back.  Oh, that sounds terribly snobbish but you know what I mean!

Last, but by no means least, this card is for the Cupcake Craftroom Challenge Midway Reminder.  The challenge this month is Bugs n Birds n Things with Wings.  The DT were given Mandy's new collection of Dragonflies to work with.  Wow, what a collection.  It comes in 32 different colours and has a beautifully distressed finish.  Why don't you pop along and join in with the challenge as the prize winner will be able to choose a paper collection from the store.

Dragonflies Collection

Challenges :

CCEE - 3 Embellisments

Crafts & Me - 3D Embellishment

Crafty Purple Frog - Distressed

Delicious Doodles - Loads of Layers

Incy Wincy Designs - Cute Critters

Make it Monday - Anything

Paper Play - Things with Wings

Totally Papercrafts - Things with Wings

Elements :

Paper & Image - from Dragonflies collection by Cupcake Cards & Crafts

Sentiment - computer generated (Font : Noodle Script / American Classic)

Pearls - The Hobby House

B&W Christmas

Hi folks! I sat down in the craft room yesterday afternoon and made a couple of cards for challenges today.  I haven't quite got myself back into any kind of routine since coming back from Spain but I'm getting there. At least my back is almost OK again, I'm just being careful - after a fashion!

I met one of my friends for coffee yesterday.  She was in Lanzarote while I was away so we'd lots to talk about and compare tans.

This card was made for the Christmas Card Club and the theme of Black and White was set by The Dutchess (aka Margaret).  I love doing black and white cards so I was able to ease in fairly gently after my break although I think Mr Mojo is still on his hols or perhaps he's still in the case!

Hope you have a lovely day.

Hugs

Anne x

Challenges :

Divas by Design - Anything

Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Paper Pretties - Mono

Papertake - Anything

Elements :

Paper - Southfield

Image - TLC Creations glittered using Star Dust Stickles

Sentiment - Tatty Teddy

Punch - Snowflake by Woodware

Dies - Rectangles by Spellbinders

Nailheads - Mark Richards

hey baby

Hi peeps, hope you are well today.  I'm meeting up with 3 friends for lunch and I've no doubt there will be lots of chat too.  I have to say a big thank you to my blogging friend, Neus, who gave me the inspiration for this card. Enjoy your day. 

Hugs
Anne

Challenges :

CAS-ual Friday - Baby

Crafts 4 Eternity - Digi

Crafty Catz - Punches / Dies

Divas by Design - Spots or Stripes

Make it Monday - Anything

Paper Sundaes - Circles

Pixie Dust Studio - Buttons

Polka Doodles - Dots or Stripes

Raise the Bar - Twine

Sisterhood of Crafters - Digi

Stars & Stamps - Digi

Elements :
Paper - from Tulip collection by Docraft
Image - TLC Creations
Dies - Circles / Scalloped Circles by Spellbinders
Button & Twine - stash
Punch - String Lace by Martha Stewart
Sentiment - computer generated (Font : Treefrog)

Soft Pink

Cold, grey and very damp today but no snow!  Mr C had to go to the doc yesterday as although he was no worse, he was no better.  Guess what ... it's a virus!  If he's no better by Monday he's to go back again.  Daughter is in bed too but she's got a different virus!  I was running about yesterday like a blue a***d fly getting shopping for us (we won't starve now) and shopping for her (they won't starve either!).  I really didn't mind as I wasn't doing anything else.  I bumped into a couple of friends when I was in town and had a cuppa and a scone with them, yum!  I'm really late getting this posted today.  I was out all morning at class and have been trawling the internet this afternoon looking for a birthday pressie for Mr C and my granddaughter.  Needless to say I still don't have a pressie for my friend ... aaah!  Hope you are all fit, well and warm.

Hugs

Anne

PS - I'm really sorry that this piccie is at such an angle.  The whole thing looks all squint but it's perfect IRL - honest!

Challenges :

Birthday Sundaes - Birthday Card

Make it Monday - Anything

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything

Stars & Stamps - Birthday Card

The Crafty Pad - Spring Colours

Elements :

Image - Delicate Blossoms by Hero Arts

Paper & Paper Piecing - Southfield

Background Stamp - it's very feint but it's Repousse by Anna Griffin which I've chalked with pale pink and pale green shimmer chalks by Dovecraft

Bits and Bobs - stash

Baby Face

Hi! My Aunt called me at the weekend and asked if I'd make a special card for her friend who has just been blessed with her first great grandchild.  I rustled one up last night and took it to her today.  We had lunch then, as it's been such a miserable day, decided to have a clear out of her craft things ... you know what's coming ... I came home with a heap of things!  It's so foggy here tonight I can hardly see to the other side of the street so let's hope that it's going to be better tomorrow.  At least we didn't have the snow that was forecast for today.

Insert

Challenges :

A Day for Daisies - All That Glitters

Fresh Brewed - Something New

Make it Monday - Anything

Paper Pretties - Glitter

Some Odd Girl - Bling

Totally Gorjuss - Welcome

Elements :

Image - A Day for Daisies

Paper - from Patchwork Blue collection by Cuddly Buddly

Pearls - The Hobby House

Sentiment - computer generated (Font : Al Sandra / Bank Gothic)

Dies - Flower & Leaf Trio / Prima Donna Petals by Die-namics

Colouring Medium - Promarkers

Glitter - Star Dust Stickles

Santa

Hi!  Another card for the Christmas box!  I'm going to make my cards fairly simple this year so there's no problem posting them when the big day comes.  The sun is shining here at the moment but the sky looks a bit watery.  My friend and I had a very productive afternoon yesterday, lots of crafting, talking and of course coffee and cake!!!  Hope you enjoy your Sunday. 

Challenges :

ABC Christmas - Anything

Crafty Purple Frog - Anything

Make it Monday - Anything

Sunday with Santa - Santa

Elements :

Papers & Image - freebies from a magazine

Ribbon - stash

Card Candi - Craftwork Cards

Anne

Christmas Tree

I was honoured to be invited by my blogging buddy, Pinky, to join the Christmas Card Club.  Every two weeks we have to make a Christmas card and I'm determined to have them all done long before the big day.  This week the challenge was set by the lovely Keryn - think thin! 

Challenges :

ABC Christmas - Anything

Anything Goes - Anything

Christmas Card Club - card no deeper than 5mm with no buttons, bows or flowers

Make it Monday - Anything

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything

Elements :

Paper - Lili of the Valley

Image & Sentiment - Southfields

Faux Brads - Card Candi by Craftwork Cards

Welcome Little One

Hi!  This post has been scheduled as I'm taking my Aunt to hospital today for an x-ray.  Let's hope that the weather behaves as we don't want to get a soaking.  Most of the challenges I'm entering have the title 'Something New' so not only is this a new baby card I'm also using a new stamp.  

Insert

Challenges :

Allsorts - New Beginnings

Fab n Funky - Something New

Fresh Brewed - Something New

Kaboodle Doodles - Celebrate

Make it Monday - Anything

Sassy Studio Designs - Somthing New

Simon Says - Something New

Stars & Stamps - Something New

Elements :

Papers - from Purple Patchwork collection by Cuddly Buddly

Image & Sentiment - Heaven Sent by Lili of the Valley

Dies - MFD009 by Nellie Snellen : Circles by Spellbinders

Ribbon & Button - stash

Colouring Medium - Promarkers

Sparkly Fairy

Hi!  I managed to grab a few hours to myself today so I've been crafting and started watching Series 1 of Downton Abbey on DVD.  I hope you all had a lovely Christmas.  Mr C and I spent it with our daughter and her family and we had a great time.  Santa was so good to all of us, we're very lucky.  Although it's not New Year yet I've made a resolution ... I'm doing the inside of my cards as I go along so this one is the first!

Challenges :

Bearly Mine - Anything

Creative Inspiration Paint - Anything

Everybody Art - Anything

Karens Doodles - Spots and Stripes

Make It Monday - Anything

Paper Sundaes - Celebrate

Pile it On - Bling

Pollycraft - Punch It

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything

Sparkles - Anything but Christmas

Elements :

DP - from Sweet Pea collection by Stampin Up!

Image - from Party Time collection by Lili of the Valley

Sentiment - Craft Creations

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts

Punches - Leaf Border by Fiskars : Rounded Corner by Woodware

Die - Leaves by CREAlies

Little Treasure

My post is a bit late today as I've been busy.  I got all the inserts done for my Christmas cards, got them all written and ready for posting.  I have some letters still to write to pop in with a few but apart from that, they're all done and dusted.  Having said that it's taken me nearly all day, phew!

I really enjoyed making this card as it's such a change from Christmas.  Hope you like it, and thank you to a blogging buddy, Irene, as I got the idea from her.  Hugs x

Challenges :

Make it Monday - Anything

Party Time Tuesday - Anything

Sew Many Cards - Twine

Elements :

DP - Southfield

Sentiment - Lili of the Valley

Pearls - The Hobby House

Twine & Button - stash

Dies - Squares / Circles / Scalloped Circles by Spellbinders

Cupcake - DT

Morning peeps, can't believe it's December 1st.  I think this could well be one of the last Christmas cards for this year - thank goodness!  By now I'm fed up looking at them but I know the feeling will only last until after New Year and I'll be raring to go again.

The wonderful papers Mandy has created this month for our challenge in the Cupcake Craftroom are called Traditional Christmas and, as usual, are fabulous and so easy to work with.  Why not join us and you could be the lucky winner of this set.

Traditional Christmas

Challenges :

Craft Your Passion - Christmas

Cupcake Craftroom - Traditional Christmas

Make it Monday - Anything

Elements :

DP - all from Traditional Christmas collection by Cupcake Cards & Crafts

Punch - Snowflake by Woodware

Pearls - The Hobby House

Sentiment - Forever Friends

Die - Parisian Accents by Spellbinders

Baubles - template by Martha Stewart

Male Christmas

I've named this post Male Christmas but the two words don't usually go very well together.  I know Mr C is a right Bah Humbug when I talk about it, as many men are .... but moving swiftly on, we always have a great time with family so that's what matters. Sorry the photo's not very good but it was taken in artificial light and there's a shadow on it.  Hugs x

Challenges :

Cards for Men - Christmas

Clean & Simple - Happy Holidays

Creative Inspiration Paint - Anything

Make it Monday - Anything

Elements :

DP - Craft Creations

Image - Lili of the Valley

Faux Brads - Card Candi by Craftwork Cards

Little Box

Bad blogger again!  I just don't know where the time goes these days.  

It's my aunt's birthday next week and when we were visiting an antiques centre recently she spied a little brooch she liked.  Luckily my cousin was with us and she distracted my aunt and I was able to buy it for her.  I made and decorated this little box for the brooch to go in.  The box is great as there's no glue needed and very little cutting - just so easy!  Hope you like it.  Hugs x

Challenges :

2 Sisters - Ribbon

Cooking it up with Katie - No Card

Crafty Catz - Anything

Cupcake Craft - Leaves

Fresh Brewed - Anything

Make it Monday - Anything

Papertake - Anything

Elements :

DP - from Eastern Promise collection by Dovecraft

Flower - Wild Orchid Crafts

Die - Leaves by CREAlies

Ribbon - stash

Newspaper Reader

Oh dear, I'm having a real crisis.  My mojo has deserted me and I just can't get motivated.  However today I had a little burst of creativity as it's one of our dear friend's birthday on Thursday and I HAD to do something.  This design came very easily, which is worrying, after so many barren weeks.  Maybe mojo has decided to make an appearance again - on a staged return!!!

Although I haven't been making cards, I have been crafting.  The knitting pins have been working overtime knitting little cardigans and jumpers for Christmas presents.  It's been nice having the pins in my hands again and there are so many lovely yarns and colours to choose from.

On Friday my friend and I are off to the SECC in Glasgow to the Hobbycraft Fair so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that once I see all the lovely crafty stuff my mojo will return permanently.  I'm putting some pennies in my purse just in case anything jumps out and grabs me.  We are staying overnight at my son's flat in Glasgow and hitting the shops on Saturday.  I'm hoping to get my Christmas shopping finished as I don't have much left to buy - woopee. 

Hope to be back very soon.  Hugs x

Challenges :

Crafty Catz - Happy Birthday

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Pixie Dust Studio - Happy Birthday

Elements :

DPs - Doodlebug

Image - Lili of the Valley

Faux Brads - Card Candi by Craftwork Cards

Sentiment - Cuddly Buddly

Dies - Circles / Scalloped Circles by Spellbinders

New Arrival

Our visitors went home on Thursday morning and I've spent the last few days chasing my tail and blogging's been out the window again!  

We had a fantastic time with our visitors but our trip was a bit of a disaster.  The train journey to Mallaig was very disappointing as it was pouring rain all the way so we couldn't see the beautiful scenery.  We were actually catching the end of Hurricane Katia and by the time we got to Mallaig the rain was coming down in bucket-loads and the wind was blowing a hoolie.  Our guest house was good and we managed to find somewhere really nice for our evening meal.  Unfortunately the next morning the sea was too rough for the ferry to sail to Skye so we ended up taking the train to Fort William, bus to Inverness and picked up the train again there.  The weather was much better by then and Scotland's scenery was on show.  We spent a few hours in Inverness which was very enjoyable ... note to myself ... must go back again soon!

 views from train on way to Mallaig

Mallaig Harbour

Anyway, enough rambling about our wee break.  When we got back Mr Postie had been and left some beautiful ribbons I'd won in Pinky's candy.  Can't wait to use them, but then again, maybe I should just stroke them and cherish them!

Mr C has been working today and I've been a bit lazy but managed to make 4 samples for Ooh La La Creations new CD which is being showcased on Create & Craft on 25 September and I also managed a challenge card.

Challenges :

Creative Card Crew - Babies 

Make it Monday - Anything

Pollycraft - Baby Love

Sassy Studio Designs - Spots & Stripes

Elements :

DPs - all from Patchwork Yellow collection by Cuddly Buddly

Image - Elephant by Bugaboo

Dies - Rectangles by Spellbinders : LR0102 by Marianne Designs

Ribbon - Stash

Dewdrops - Papermania

Sentiment - computer generated (font : Basic Sans Light SF)

Medium - Copic Meadow Green : Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink by Tim Holtz

Boo!

Challenges :

Card Mad Fairy - Digi + Flowers

Crafty Catz - Mono

Craft Your Passion - Flowers

CYDA - make Flowers

Delightful - Halloween

Fairy Tale - Flowers & Lace

Incy Wincy Designs - make Flowers

Kaboodle Doodles - Fabric or Ricrac or Lace

Make it Monday - Anything

MAWTT - Handmade Flowers

OSAAT - use Digi

Paper Play - make Flowers

Sew Many Cards - use Freebie

Elements :

BP -  Bats by Jak Heath

Image - Sew Many Cards

Brad & Lace - stash

Sentiment - Azure Alpha Sizzlits by Sizzix

Flower - Layer 1 - Waterlily punch by Martha Stewart : Layers 2 & 3 - Daisy punch in Medium and Small by Woodware

Sing Little Birdie

Challenges :

MAWTT - Birdies

Make It Monday - Anything

Sew Many Cards - Edge Punch

Sparkles - Punch It

Elements :

BP / Image / Sentiment - from Elegant Birdcages collection by Nancy Watt

Ribbon - stash

Die - Circles by Spellbinders

Punch - Half Daisy by Martha Stewart