MY TIME......B.C. (before cards!!)

I have no new card designs to show today, but i thought you may like to see what i used to get up to before paper took over!!
I attended some beading workshops, hosted by a lovely lady called Gillian Ashwell. The designs, patterns etc. are all copyright, devised by Gillian, who is one of the top bead designers in the country.These pieces are made entirely with needle, thread and lots & lots of seed beads in varying sizes.

I have to confess, i still have several unfinished pieces that hopefully i will complete, if not soon then one day in the future, i enjoy beading immensely and still have my bead case ready to go when i decide to take another workshop!

Thanks for popping in today, and i hope you have enjoyed seeing something a little different :)

HOLLY JOLLY HEDGEHOG

The last of my designs for today, and the last for my workshop tomorrow! I need to pack my trolleys, bag up my Cricut & Cuttlebug and load up the car!! Then bath & sleep! :) Long, but fun day ahead!!This cute little image is called 'Just Wishing You'... and is stamped onto watercolour paper using Ranger Archival jet black, coloured again using Distress & Adirondack ink pads and my waterbrush.

The papers this time, are Daisy D's 'Mistletoe Memories' collection, and have a naturally distressed look to them, which i love. The holly sprig is Anna Griffin and the little felt flower is from the 5th Avenue collection by Making Memories. I've used my Fiskars 'Threading water' punch to create the scallops, the jumbo brad and sentiment rub-on are HOTP.

A big Thank You for visiting me today, i'll see you very soon. Enjoy Your weekend :D

BAUBLE ANYONE?

Made this bauble earlier, using the fab new download from Funky Hand called 'Funky Little Christmas' Such bright contemporary colours and gorgeous patterns, Anice is a genius!

The idea came from a tutorial i found several weeks ago whilst blog hopping, and i knew it would come in useful, so i bookmarked it to return when needed! :)
I think the ladies at my workshop tomorrow will enjoy making these, just hope my scallop punch can take the pace!!

CHRISTMOUSE KISS!!

No challenge, no sketch, just another design for my workshop tomorrow!

This gorgeous image 'Holiday Smooch' is one of my newest House Mouse stamps, nice and large at around 41/2 inches in diameter, it really doesn't need much embellishment, so i've kept it simple! :)

Stamped onto watercolour paper using 'Timber Brown' Stazon, and then coloured using Distress & Adirondack inks. I 'squish' the colour onto the inside of the lids by giving them a good squeeze, and then i take the colour from the lid with my waterbrush. This is such an easy way of colouring, and at the moment is my preferred method :)

Basic Grey papers again!! from last years 12 x 12 Fruitcake collection pack, and also Blitzen 12 x 12 for the background. Joy embellishment is Anna Griffin, and some organza ribbon from stash which i've 'frizzled' up a bit with my heat gun!

Go on.... give someone a big kiss today! See you soon :)

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA, Happy Birthday.... done in my best Stevie Wonder sound alike voice!

FUNKY HAND IS 2 TODAY!

Anice(my fabby boss!) is celebrating today and she is offering some gorgeous goodies! All you need to do is pop over and leave a comment to be in with a chance, what are you waiting for???

KAZAN'S SKETCH 5

This is my design for the latest fabulous sketch by Kazan, over at 2S4Y. I really should be making more samples for my workshop on Saturday, but i just HAVE to do these sketches! they are almost like some sort of drug!!!! that i am well and truly addicted to :D

I have to confess, this card almost made itself it was so simple! All the major features on this card are the Basic Grey 12 x 12 Element Stickers from the 'Sugared' collection pack! so no real skill involved, i just stuck them down! :)

I also added some gorgeous flower and button embellies from Making Memories '5th Avenue' a real little goodie box of felt & paper flowers and loads of yummy buttons! Some Stickles in 'Platinum' around the heart, a tiny glitter brad and some twine, with a sentiment from HOTP

Job Done!! Thanks for popping in today.... see you soon :)

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY Challenge 6 'Snow Much Fun'

At last i have got around to designing a card for Penny Black Saturday Challenge! So many fab challenge blogs now, but same old story... time runs away with me!!
Cute image here called 'You make me blush' stamped onto watercolour paper with Ranger Archival black. The frame around the image is 'waste' from a previous cutting session with my Cricut! i keep all the spare paper after i've cut things out to use at a later date! The stamp frame is from Base Camp cut at 41/2 inches. I've added some 'icicle' Stickles around the edge which you can just about see in the photo :)

All papers are Basic Grey, i really do need to start using some of my other DP that i have, but i just can't seem to tear myself away!! The image is coloured again by taking ink directly from the pads with my water brush(my favourite way of colouring at the moment!) Heidi Swapp ghost snowflakes painted with 'Snow Cap' paint dabber, buttons and fibre from stash!

Thanks for popping in today, enjoy the sunshine :)

DT CALL

All my fellow bloggers that visit my little creative place and leave me such lovely and encouraging comments, will be aware how addicted to sketches i have become over the last few months :) In particular 2 Sketches 4 You is now bordering on an obsession!! The creative talent over there is amazing to say the least, and is a true feast for the eyes every time i visit :) However, with a lot of encouragement from one lovely lady(you know who you are!) i decided to try for their DT.
These are my two submissions. The girls will be choosing their team of 6 through the coming week, and will post the results on Monday July 28th over on their site
I will be on tenterhooks all week :) but with such a huge bunch of very talented people, i'm not sure how i'll go with my two, just have to wait & see!! Keep everything crossed for me!!!

See you soon :)

CUTE CARD THURSDAY Challenge 19

This weeks challenge over at CCT is 'Animals Only - No People Allowed' Not a problem for me as i adore animals anyway, and i have loads of stamps which feature them :)
This design uses another fabulous House Mouse image from Stampabilities. Don't you just adore these cute little guys! i am so addicted to them at the moment, i can't seem to stop buying them!!!
I've coloured 'Mistletoe Moment' by taking ink from several Distress and Adirondack pads, with my water brush. The image was stamped with Stazon Timber Brown onto watercolour paper which i cut using my Nestabilties. The background circle is cut on the Cricut at 41/2 inches.

All papers are Basic Grey 'Figgy Pudding' fron the 6 x 6 pad. The sentiment is from an acrylic set by HOTP and all other supplies are from stash.

My son's partner Justine is doing the Race for Life today, so i will be looking after my gorgeous Granddaughter Danielle, and my MIL is coming for Sunday Lunch, so off to get the house all spick & span before they arrive! Thanks for popping in today, i'll see you very soon :)

ETA... I used sketch 10 by Heidi over at Friday Sketchers for the layout of my card(sorry forgot to say this in main post!!)

DCM 'SPOT THE DIFFERENCE'

It's been a while since i designed a card for a challenge at DCM, but this week Rhi has come up with the challenge to use journaling spots with a handwritten message!
I, like most people do not like my handwriting, but such a small amount as this i think i can cope with ;-) (i tried to give it the Doodlebug look!!!)

The main image in my design today is actually fabric! found in amongst some older crafty stuff the other day, when i was looking for something else. The papers are Basic Grey and Prima with a panel of snowflakes, courtesy of my Cuttlebug. The journaling spot is from Maya Road 'Memo' sheers collection, and i've added my sentiment with a Zig pen.
Ribbon and brads from stash.

Enjoy your day, see you soon :)

2 SKETCHES 4 YOU

Back today with my design for Laura's sketch over at 2S4Y!
For this one i decided to go simple, but with a bit of bling!! The crown is Scenic Route, which i've covered with paper from the Funky Hand CD 'It's Funky too'. As a member of the design team we are required to make cards for an upcoming TV show, for display to the viewers, so they can see what can be achieved using the fabulous papers on the CD's
I also added some 'doodling' with my Zig pen, and some gorgeous gems from K&Co. All papers on this card are from the CD, along with some Bazzill cardstock and a computer generated sentiment in 'Ballpark' font.
Thanks for popping in today, have fun, and i'll see you soon :)

KAZAN'S SKETCH 4

I have lots of projects on my 'to do' list, but there is something about Kazan & Laura's sketches that draw me in and make me want to design a card as soon as i see a new sketch!!! Kazan's current sketch, is of course no exception, so...... here is the card i designed using her sketch posted yesterday :)
I know it's a little early for Christmas cards, but i think you can forgive me as i am hosting a six hour! Christmas in July workshop on the 26th, so i will need plenty of sample cards for my lovely ladies that will be attending :)
I have used some of the gorgeous papers from last years Basic Grey 'Figgy Pudding' 6 x 6 pad. I love this collection, the colours and designs are amazing! although i am sure they will produce something equally scrumptious for Christmas 2008! The snowflake is actually made of wood, and i've covered it with some of the paper and then added some Ranger 'Aqua' acrylic paint to the edges.
Other supplies include some Page Pebbles from Making Memories, snowman cut from Queen & Co felt strip with a red nose and black hat added :) The sentiment is from a HOTP acrylic set.
I think this will be a popular choice at my workshop, so i may need to stock up on supplies ;)

I appreciate you popping in today, and i'll see you very soon :)

CUTE CARD THURSDAY & FRIDAY SKETCHERS

With my design today i have managed to combine two challenges, which is good as i seem to be playing catch up with them all at the moment!!
The great sketch over at Friday Sketchers is what i have used for the layout, and CCT is to make a card with an outdoors theme!

Before getting into papercraft in such a big way, i used to have a bit of an 'obsession' with fabric, fat quarters in particular. This was boosted by the fact that i attended some beading workshops in a lovely patchworking store that sold the most beautiful fabrics...and, i acquired a fair bit of it!!!
The gorgeous Scarecrow is from a piece of Debbie Mumm fabric where all the images are surrounded by the black chequered border, so i've added a similar effect to the background papers with my Zig pen!
All papers are Basic Grey 'Sugared' 6 x 6, the sentiment circle is a Pink Paislee stamp and the wording is from a set by Printworks.
This card reminds me a little of my childhood, when i lived in the coutryside where you would often see Scarecrows out in the fields, but none were as handsome as this chap :)

You may well be seeing some more cards with fabric as i found some other good ones today, completely by chance when i was looking for something else!!I received this fabby award recently from two of my FH team mates Kath & Allison. I would like to award this to all of my visitors, so feel free to copy it and pass it on to seven of your favourites, with a link on your blog :)

2 SKETCHES 4 YOU Laura's Sketch 3

I have managed to get to designing a card with Laura's great sketch a little earlier this week! instead of dashing in at the last minute almost :)
I received some gorgeous new goodies yesterday morning, and couldn't wait to get home from work so that i could open it all and start to play!!
Of course, being the Basic Grey obsessive that i am, my shopping spree just had to include the gorgeous new 'Euphoria' collection. I got the papers, buttons and fibres and two of the 6 x 6 pads! As you can see i was also tempted by the Maya Road 'Office Sheers' , i love them so i had to have two tins :) The chipboard heart which was a free gift with one of my orders, has been painted with 'Pink Sherbert' paint dabber from Ranger. The Bazzill scalloped cardstock, ribbon and Making Memories rub-on is from my stash.
I wanted to punch holes in my scalloped border and then place a contrasting colour underneath, but i forgot and stuck it down, so instead i punched all the tiny circles and stuck them on top! bit fiddly!! but same effect achieved :D
Thanks for popping in today, see you soon :)

MUM'S GONE OUT! Come on you lot!!!

Just thought you may like to see some more pictures of our little family :) They almost gave me heart failure last night, when they all decided to come out of the nest and have a wander around!
I was worried because their mum had decided to go off into a neighbour's garden at the time, so she wasn't around to look out for them!! There are five of them altogether, the largest being about the size of a tennis ball!! I guess that one was at the front of the queue at milk time! :)
Aren't they just so adorable? You will be happy to know(as i was!!) that they all made it safely back to the nest, and were all snuggled up safe and warm when Andy checked on them this morning!
They should be with us for another four weeks or so, before they leave the nest permanently, but we are hoping to mark them before they go, then we will know if they return at a later date!!
I am not so good at taking photo's (!) but i hope you enjoy the story so far! :) :)

Hoggy Hugs!
Carol x

TAGGED!

Actually, it was last week, but only just getting round to it! Sorry Heather!
10 Years ago
I must have been working part time,as i chose jobs that fitted around school hours, when my kids were younger, but i can't remember if i was at De Montfort University or at Graham Lloyd! (your memory for this type of thing lapses as you get older !!) However, i do remember receiving a phone call from the school to say that my youngest(9 at the time) had hurt her leg! Some slabs had fallen onto her at playtime and could i go and pick her up! To cut a long story short, the slabs had broken her right leg in two places and she was in plaster from her toes to her groin for six weeks!!! The outcome of all of this was that we ended up suing them, and she was awarded a sum of money, which was held by the courts until she was eighteen. The only good thing was, because of the build up of interest, the sum had doubled in the nine years that it was held. So....earlier this year, she had a cheque for well over £6,000 pounds. It was a very horrid time for all of us, especially Rhianna, but things like this are set to try us!!!!
5 Things to do today
Well, as we are well into the evening,and most of the things i had to do are done! I guess it's Upload more pictures of our little Hedgehog family! Cook some supper for Andy & Chloe when they get home (about 9pm!!!!) Hopefully, find time to craft! Iron blouse for work tomorrow, and have a bath!!
Snacks i enjoy!
Well.... almost any type of fruit, i do love cheese unfortunately for my midriff!! so almost anything with cheese, but it has to be the kind that almost' bites' the roof of your mouth....you know the good mature ones... yum :) Also, the big flat field mushrooms, with a tiny bit of garlic butter mmmmmm!
Things i would do if i were a Millionaire!
Give up work!!!!! All the usual, give some to the kids, invest some to live on (cause i've already given up working!! Buy and stock with fabby stuff, my very own craft shop! But, as i've managed all these years without having loads of money, i would give the rest to Children and Animal charities, it would save all the hassle that large amounts of money seem to cause!!!! Money, of course is essential, but having it does not make you a better person.....unless you do something to benefit those that are worse off than yourself!!!!!
Places i've lived
I'm a country bumpkin at heart :) I was born in a Bedfordshire village called 'Haynes', where i lived with my parents until i got married to Andy at age 22, when we moved to Bedford! So only two different locations, but three different houses! Only moved once, so far! and the next time we move, i hope it is somewhere sunny & warm with loads of land , so that we can have loads of animals :)
I should at this point Tag five others, but, as this one is 'doing the rounds' i will leave it up to you if you want to try it!

KAZAN'S SKETCH 3

After the shock of being one of the Fab 5 last week, over at '2 Sketches 4 You' i've been pondering over Kazan's current sketch, trying to decide how to interpret it!!
As you can see, i decided on a design for a Baby Girl, which may also have a little to do with learning earlier this week that a friend of mine is having a baby girl in August! She has two boys already, so how lovely for her to be having a girl :)

Lots of different elements here, and no stamping again! I think i'm learning how to make a card that doesn't involve stamping an image, and i have lots of bits and bobs that i have collected over the last couple of years in preparation for my Scrapbooks, which hopefully i will do more of in the near future!!

Papers are from Basic Grey and K&Co, and i am loving the lace paper from KI Memories! Chip Chatter 'Gellies' from Pressed Petals, paper flowers are Making Memories from the noteworthy range, and some paper frills from Doodlebug. The button style brads are HOTP.
The felt flowers, fibres and ribbon are from my stash, and the little wooden lamb was found on a trip to France about five years ago!!

Thanks for taking the time to visit today, see you soon :0)

Carol x

STAMP SOMETHING Challenge...

A simple Christmas card for my entry to the current challenge over at Stamp Something. This week is a sketch, and i love to work from a good sketch! :) and this one was excellent!!
Basic Grey papers are used throughout, from the 6 x 6 pad 'Figgy Pudding'. The gorgeous word flourish is from the set by Rhonna Farrer for Autumn Leaves, which i've simply stamped with Tim Holtz Distress ink 'Broken China'. I tried for something a little different with the ribbon and eyelets, and i quite like the look it gives! Flower from local florist!! Curly trim, i think is HOTP, and red card and button from stash :)Thanks for popping in today, and i'll see you very soon :)

BLOG CANDY ALERT!!!

Just a real quickie to say that Jacqueline has some amazing candy on offer!!! Her blog is very inspiring too!

FRIDAY SKETCHERS ... Week 7

I have had a lovely day today just playing around with my stamps and papers :) It doesn't really seem like a Sunday, as normally i have a houseful of family every week, but today they are all out doing other things, so i made the most of my day by getting crafty!!
Friday Sketchers have done it again this week with another great sketch provided by Mumur, representing France.
My design today uses the versatile 'Agapanthus Cluster' from Stampendous. I have kept it very simple and stamped using Tim Holtz Distress ink 'Brushed Corduroy' The papers are Basic Grey from the 'Archaic' 6 x 6 pad, along with a page 'torn' from my Making Memories 'noteworthy' spiral journaling book. I love this book, i may have to get another :)
I have left this card without a sentiment, as i could not decide on one....any ideas?

Off to do some ironing now grrrr!! Thanks for popping in...see you soon :)