Swing into Christmas

Hi everyone

I hope you are all well and have had a good weekend. It seems so long since I posted a card. I had one all ready for last week's Winter Wonderland which was "Don't use a Christmas stamp or backing papers", then I picked up some disgusting throat thing and I've been feeling miserable ever since so I never managed to get it posted. I was lucky enough to win their challenge the week before and I do enjoy taking part. Never mind, that card's for Wee Steven for Christmas so it will be put to good use.

Here's another effort using the other stamp I treated myself to from Penny Black. I love these new releases of older stamps and, even better, they are unmounted. I hope they bring some more out.

My card recipe:
Image: Penny Black
Coloured with Distress Inks and watercolour pencils
Designer Papers: Basic Grey - Eskimo Kisses
Pearls, ribbon, brad, chain and charm from stash
Silver Glammer Dust
Platinum Stickles
Tools: Cuttlebug, Snowflake dies

I can enter this one for 3 challenges:
Paptertake Weekly - this is Christmas Crackers which is a bit of an "open" challenge this week.
Charisma Cards- Anything Christmas.
Creative Card Crew - favourite things.

I used an older sketch that I really like but I can't remember whose it is. Sorry.

That it, I think. I hope you like it.

Thanks for dropping by.

Lynne.

Unto us a Child is born

Hi everyone

It's been pouring down here again today. Hope it's been a bit better where you are - although I think it's been the same over most of the country. Makes you want to hibernate, doesn't it?

I thought I'd treat myself and order a couple of these gorgeous Penny Black stamps from the Glitter Pot. How good is that shop? I ordered them on Wednesday at about half past three and the postie brought them yesterday (Thursday) and only a pound for postage. I think she's the best in the business for delivery; I've never had to wait for anything even at Christmas. They pull all the stops out.

I can enter this card for 2 challenges:

Simon Says Stamp: this is animals. As long as you've got animals somewhere on your card it's fine
Lili of the Valley: this is the sketch and a lovely sketch it was too.

My card recipe:

Image: Penny Black - Sweet Nativity
Coloured with Distress Inks
DPs: Kars Christmas Collection Scrapbook Papers
Cardstock: Coredinations
Lace: from stash
Stars: Basic Grey Holiday Chipboard, glittered with glammer dust
Gems: Kanban
Tools: Cuttlebug; Christmas stars embossing folder; Corner Punch
Platinum Stickles

I know they were very poor but I couldn't resist giving Mary and Joseph a bit of bling! I think they deserve it for producing such a beautiful baby. Isn't he devine!

Hope you like it.

Lynne.x

Ho Ho Ho

Hi folks

Hope you are all having a good week. I managed to squeeze this card in last night - stayed up till quarter to one to make sure Donny didn't go out of Dancing with the Stars. Might sound daft but after the shock to my system of Tuffers going out of Strictly and then the fabulous Jamie crashing out of the X Factor, I wanted to make sure things didn't go from bad to worse. I've told Erin I'm not watching the X Factor again. I can't believe Jamie's out and those two little twerps are still in. She says that's no way to talk about Simon and Louis but I say it's all a fix! I'll stick to Strictly from now on.

I can enter this card for 5 challenges:
Allsorts - Something for a child
Charisma Cardz - Merry and Bright
Stamp Something - The sketch
A Spoonful of Sugar - Baby's 1st Christmas or pre-schooler
Cute Card Thursday - Glitter Me Silly

My card recipe:
Image: Stackable Santa - Hi Hopes
Coloured with Promarkers
DP's: MME - The Merry Days of Christmas
Cardstock: Coredinations
Polar White Flower Soft
Silver Glammer Dust
Snowflakes: Kay and Company
Reindeer button: Making Memories
Ribbon from stash
Tools: Cuttlebug; Nestabilities Labels

I really liked this sketch. I think I'll use it again. It had a bit at the bottom but I think these labels are quite big and you couldn't see it so I substituted a bit of paper for a ribbon.

That's it. Hope you like it.

Thanks for dropping by.

Lynne.x

Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar

Better known as the Three Wise Men. How about these little guys, then? I think they are absolutely fabulous. They have such happy, smiley faces - obviously so pleased to be bringing their gifts to the little King.

I am entering Winter Wonderland this week. I haven't entered it for a couple of weeks but I like this challenge; you can really see the weeks passing to Christmas and my Christmas card box is getting a bit fuller at last. I love the little clock at the side of their blog counting down the days to Christmas - how sad am I! Their challenge is a choice of a sketch or panto or both.

My recipe:
Image: The Three Kings - Hi Hopes
Coloured with a mixture of Faber Castelle and Inktense pencils
DP's: Wassail - Basic Grey
Cardstock: Coredinations
Poinsettias: Hobbyhouse
Tools: Cuttlebug; Nestabilities Labels and Tags
Ribbon from stash
Sentiment: computer generated
Stickles
Glammer Dust
Cosmic Shimmer Mist

Sorry the photo's not the absolute best - there's a bit of glare where the light's hitting the glammer dust but they are such lovely wee men I couldn't not give them a bit of bling. I'm going to buy my own camera and take lessons then I can't blame anyone else when my photos aren't up to scratch!

Thanks for dropping by.

Lynne.x

An award

Hi folks

A very special young lady called Rachel has given me this award. Rachel is only 14 and she makes terrific cards. She's making 100 cards at the moment and selling them for £1 each for Children in Need. Not a lot of 14 year olds would do that. She has a fantastic blog - I've made a link below if you'd like to have a look.

Thank you so much Rachel. This means a lot to me.

I have to answer a lot of questions now but the catch is I can only use one word. This is going to be quite difficult for me since anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit of a blether. Anyway, here goes.

1. Where is your cell phone? - Pass
2. Hair? - Brown
3. Your mother? - Edinburgh
4. Your father? - Dead
5. Your favourite food? - Indian
6. Your dream last night? - ?
7. Your favourite drink? - Tea
8. Your dream goal? - Celtic's!
9. What room are you in? - Diningroom
10. Your hobby? - Crafting
11. Your fear? - Redundancy
12. Where doyou want to be in 6 years time? - Working
13. Where were you last night? - Home
14. Something you aren't? - Quiet
15. Muffins? - Please
16. Wishlist item? - Promarkers
17. Where did you grow up? - Scarborough
18. Last thing you did? - This
19. What are you wearing? - Clothes
20 - Your T.V? - On
21 - Your pets? - Several
22. Your friends? - Loud
23. Your life? - Quiet
24. Your mood? - Quiet
25. Missing someone? - No
26. Vehicle? - No
27. Something you're not wearing? - Jewellery
28. Your favourite store? - Craft-at-home (I cheated!)
29. Your favourite colour? - Green
30. Last time you laughed? - Today
31. Last time you cried? - Sunday
32. Your best friend? - Loud
33. One place you go over and over - Work
34. One person who e.mails you regularly - Boss
35. Favourite place to eat? - Anywhere
36. Facebook? - No

There. I think you can tell a lot about people by these answers. I am supposed to try to find 5 people to pass this on to. I think I'll find that much more difficult than answering the questions.

If you haven't seen Rachel's blog, you can find it here. She makes gorgeous things and she's a terrific person. Please go and take a look.

Thanks Rachel.

Lynne.x

A Card for Jaimie

Hi everyone

Most of you will have seen the Blog Hop that's taking place just now to raise awareness of a young girl called Jaimie who's had a dreadful experience. Jaimie's story is terribly upsetting - but she sounds like an amazing young girl. You can read about her here on the Stamp Something For Jaimie blog.

I think it's a great idea to spread a little love and show support for Jaimie and her dad. Of course, there are lots of ways we can do that but the most obvious one for people who craft is for us to make a little something and send it off to her. Jaimie's favourite colours are hot pink and black - what a fab combo. She's not really a girly girl so I've chosen Little Miss Attitude for a card for her. From what I've heard of Jaimie I think this wee image suits her.

This is for you, Jaimie.

Inside:

If you want to participate in the blog hop you can find details at the bottom of the Spread the Love Blog. However, the link to Katharina Frei's blog is here. It's the first stop on the blog hop but be quick - there's only a couple of days left. Good luck and have fun!

This is my recipe for Jamie's card:

Image: Little Miss Attitude - Sugar Nellie
Coloured with Promarkers
DP's - Craftwork Cards "Enchanted"
Cardstock - Coredinations
Flowers punched with daisy and retro flower punches
Ribbon, small brad and charm from stash
Buckle from the Paper Mill Shop
Gems by Kanban

I'd like to enter this card for the Allsorts Challenge. This week it's "Bring out your bling".

Thanks for stopping by.

Lynne.x

Picking Apples

Hi there

Just a very quick post from me this morning before I go out to work so that I can make it in time for the Sugar Bowl Challenge this week. Like I said before, a bit like the coo's tail me, always last!

I know I said I wasn't making any more birthday cards until after Christmas but someone asked me to make a card for a friend so this is it. I'll have one more to do for my nephew in December and the rest will be Christmas cards. I'm not good at boy's cards so no doubt I'll leave it till the last minute again.

I've used the sketch over at the Sugar Bowl this week and the added option is to use lace. This is lacy ribbon so I think it will qualify ok. It was a lovely sketch.

My recipe:

Image: Sugar Nellie - Picking Apples
Coloured with Faber Castelle Water Colour Pencils
DP's: MME - Bloom and Grow
Cardstock: Coredinations
Flowers: Hero Arts - some coloured, some white which I coloured with Pro Markers to match the papers
Lacy ribbon, charm, spacers and brads from my stash
Tools: Cuttlebug and plain and scalloped circles
Sentiment: computer generated

Sorry the charm isn't hanging straight. Daughter no 2 took the photo for me. I asked her to make sure it was straight but I don't think her heart is really in it - a bit like cooking for me really. Maybe she's getting her own back!

Have a good day.


Lynne.x

I've just been over to the Crafty Creations Challenge Blog and seen details of a very unusual blog hop in aid of a wee girl who's had a terrible experience. Do hop over and have a look.

Lynne.x