Leftovers

 I had some strips of the beautiful holly paper left over which I couldn’t bear to throw away. So I used it to make a CAS card. The sentiment was made using white embossing powder and a little bunch of Christmas foliage with a single poinsettia. 

I have enough Christmas cards and have decided to close down the craft room till after Christmas. Then I’m going to concentrate on cards for family and friends also for Christmas 2022. I also want to get back to Scrapbooking so plenty to do when the craft room reopens.

So for now Merry Christmas.xxx

Stamping Up Christmas

 I have been highly inspired by cards on Pinterest especially in this case I actually had the papers, although  the snowflakes and foliage are from various other dies. 

The sentiment is an old one from Stamping Up along with punch I used which I also drew round and made a mat for it to help it stand out.

Fluffy Snowflakes

 I got some White Puff Twinkle WOW embossing powder but I'm not sure about it. Yes my Snowflakes using the Honey Bee background stamp (I think its Honey Bee) puffed up fluffly like but I'm not sure I like the fluffy finish. 

Wasn't going to waste the card though so I used the Merry die from MFT from last year that I never used then had to hunt for a Christmas sentiment on it own. To be honest it didn't really need much else.

I not sure about using my phone to take card photos, they seemed to be more crooked, weird colours than the camera. Will have to investigate more whether I need to change modes on the actual phone camera rathen then point and hope for the best!

Christmas Words

 Mmmm still not sure about using my phone for photos lost some detail on my poinsettias. Any way what’s done is done. 

I had this bit of MFT Christmas word background left over that needs to be used which is why I added the spray of poinsettias. Looking at it now I could do with adding a few more Pine needles. Didn’t bother with a sentiment there are loads already there.

I’ve been for my booster, now have a dodgy arm so not sure if I will get any cards done but we will see.

To Mat or Not

 I couldn’t decide to mat or not, the first card as a white mat underneath all the layers and second does not.

The background is Honeybee’s snowflake background stamp reason I wanted it was the snowflakes were on the smaller size. The houses, trees, sweet lamp post and sentiment is all Concord and 9th.

While writing this post I’ve made a decision I think I prefer the white mat so off to do the rest, made a total of five cards using the cute houses.

All in White

 I’m trying a new way to photo my card instead of using a camera I’m using my phone but not sure I like the way it photos white on white cards.

The snowflake background is two layers to help it stand out, the die is Taylored Expression from a few years back. The pine needles, holly leaves and poinsettias are Simon says Stamp all a  few years old now. Along with Tiny Words Christmas stamp set.

Slimline Home for the Holidays

 I loved the houses from Concord and 9th so I had to stalk the craft shops because I was sure these would rush out their stores.

I was intimidated with the amount of dies but found a You Tube explaining how they worked and away I went. The first card made is this Slimline card. Made the background sky with a scrap of blue and used the slope die that came with the set for the snow drifts.

Don’t you love the lamp post, bit fiddly to add a bit of yellow for the light but so worth it. The actual slimline dies are Newton Nook.

Happy Snowman with Blue Trees

 Same card but in turquoise blue and I added pearls for berries in the holly. No dirty marks so no snowflakes.

Happy Snowman with Green Trees

 I think almost £30 for a die is a bit steep for my budget which why I put him on my Birthday list. He is a nice looking snowman. Quite large so really doesn’t need much on the card.

The snowman is a Sizzix die and the 3d embossing folder again from Sizzix with a touch of pattern paper round the edge. The sentiment is MFT, I’m pretty sure I added the tiny snowflakes because there is a dirty mark on the snowman and added a few more so it wasn’t alone.

Fabulous Fifty

 Christmas cards stopped while I made this card. Mo’s Party image cut out and paper pieced her dress.

The numbers and sentiment are stamps with matching dies from Stampin Up. A stitched rectangle to mat and layer.

I’ve had a number of special birthdays this year with this being the last one.

Pretty in Pink 2

 Technically the same card as the last post but this is without the strip which in my opinion works better.

Pretty in Pink

 Yes it’s those little trees again  this time I used the poinsettia background stamp from Simon says Stamp on some pink card.

The thin panel with the snowflakes on are a die from Stampin up which I’m not convinced works. The oval is a Altenew die and the sentiments are again Simon says Stamp. Finished off with tiny trees.

Haven’t had chance this week in my craft room but may have time today to sort out that baby card out then back on the Christmas card conveyor belt.

Tiny Tree

 I got the Whimsical Trees from Stampin Up but all I've done is used these tiny trees. I wanted to make a quick card just so I can used the snow drifts from The Greetery and I absolutely love how a CAS card became a bit more special.

Why the non traditional colours well thats the colours that were on my desk and the sentiment is a very old Stampin up one thats now sitting on my desk because I surprised myself at how straight I placed it on the acylic block. So don't be surprised to see it again.

Last week I made 8 cards not sure how many I get done this week, Christmas present shopping is going on this week plus I now have a baby boy card to make.

Simple Poinsettias

 I had a couple Waffle Flower poinsettias left over so I made a simple card to use them up. Need a change of Christmas sentiment especially as I brought some recently.

I’ve managed six more Christmas cards this week hopefully two more at least today. I’ve been scrolling on Pinterest to get ideas and possibly to case. The old craft mojo is a bit up and down at the moment.

Trio of Poinsettias

 This card is my favourite so far and I made four altogether. The background is from Simon says stamp stamped in white than embossed.

The poinsettias are Waffle Flower again with blend ink centres to give a touch of colour and the holly is an old Penny Black die cut up to fit.

Sentiment is the one from MFT the set with Stacey Yacula penguins from a couple of years ago.

I struggled to make a card yesterday head was so not in the right place Let’s hope it’s working better today.

Snowflakes and Trees

 Oh what a terrible blogger I’ve been but I have been making cards as you can see Christmas ones.

 I double layered the snowflake die to help it stand out more fiddly but worth it I think. Instead of going for a plain background I used the 3d tree embossing folder. Now seeing it I’m wondering if it’s too busy.

I made 10 Christmas cards last week but it worked out 3 designs even so that means I’m now at 62 cards .

For Easton

 So I had to stop making Christmas cards to make a couple of special birthday cards, this was the first one for a little boy. Time seems flying by.

The image I used is an old one of Mo Manning, most of the dies are old now but why buy new when the old ones work perfectly fine. Grass and fence are MFT, the cloud are Memory Box. Star MFT circle is a punch and the number four is a die set I brought from a craft show. 

I need to buckle down to the Christmas cards now, I got a couple of dies for my Birthday plus maybe I’ve treated myself to a few new ones too.

Colourful Snowflakes

 A few weeks ago there was a Freshly Made Sketch that inspired this snowflake card and like the previous cards with Poinsettias I inked the centres. I wish now I double layered the snowflakes they look a bit flat.

Otherwise this is another quick easy Christmas Card and I can see a few more made similar. The snowflake die is an old one from Simon says Stamp but snowflakes never really go out of fashion.

I really need to find a new sentiment I’ve used it on nearly all my Christmas cards so far. I have got 52 made so far and all have their inserts done too.

More Colourful Poinsettias

 Since I wasn’t keen on the background snowflakes on my previous card but love the colourful poinsettias I made the same card without the stamped background but maybe now it’s too plain. 

I counted up my Christmas cards and was pleased to find out I’m half way. They’ve all got their inserts and ready to be written. New goodies have arrived from in my craft room just need to find some inspiration.

Colourful Poinsettias

 One of the Waffle Flower DT made a slimline card with multi coloured poinsettias which probably was the reason I brought the die in the first place.

I wasn’t going to do a slimline card mainly they take so long and I need to make quite a few cards before Christmas. So I settled on this size card with three poinsettia. I didn’t buy their snowflake stamp but I did have the MFT Snowflakes and made the background with matching colours. If I’m honest I’m not keen on the background.

The stitched frame is again MFT and so is the sentiment.

Purple Onion Trio

 A bit of a change from James the bear some cute critters from Purple Onion. They were a bit fiddly to layer but worth it in the end.

The papers are some new MFT ones and the holly was cut using my very old Martha Stewart punch still just about working. The sentiment is the one off my desk that is from a MFT and I think the banner is theirs too.

Purple and White

 Also made then in some pretty purple card so you don’t have to use traditional colours.

See post below for details.

Red and White Poinsettias

 Something New arrived in my craft room this Waffle Flower Poinsettia Background die but then my craft room got cleared for my Party and I forgot all about it. Was shocked to receive another one in the post but read the letter enclosed. Apparently one of the background dots was missing from the original die and Seven Hills Craftshop where I brought it from went through all their orders and sent out to all who ordered one, now that’s good customer service.

To be honest there’s not much you can do with this die but make poinsettias but if my mojo keeps disappearing  at leastI can make these with out to much thought.

James with Presents

 Here he is another sweet James the bear holding some Christmas presents. Cheated with the sky, patterned paper but I think thats it with the last decent scraps of this very old Doodlebug paper. 

I used the snow slopes from MFT and an old Snowflake die from Simon says Stamp think it’s called Maryanne. The mini snowflake centres are again old but this time from Lawn Fawn.

The sentiment is a MFT but it’s one with Stacey Yacula Penguin set, it’s now sitting on my desk so I guess it’s this years Christmas sentiment.

Single or Double Layers

 Rather than show yet another James Christmas card I thought I’ll post a couple of CAS cards. I brought the Waffle Flower poinsettia didn’t to realise they had holes in their leaves but they still look pretty. 

 I was trying to work out if I need to double layer the sentiments, the top card was a single layer of gold for Creative Expression sentiment. The bottom one is a Sizzix die but was doubled layered. Which do you prefer unfortunately I prefer the double layer. 

Little Star James

 I can’t believe it’s taking me so long to blog again but life just gets in the way but it needs to slow down so I can get some Christmas cards done now. I have coloured a few more James the bear and there’s one nearly ready on my craft desk.

This is little star James, background papers are Doodlebug and the snowflakes are Simon says Stamp. To finish I used a sentiment from MFT stamp set.

I found my favourite dies and stamps but it did mean searching everywhere. 

Christmas James the Bear

 I cannot believe that I don’t have any of Christmas James the bear digi images from LOTV,I have the stamps but I do find digital images easier on my hands and shoulders. I remedied that immediately.

I know I’ve been away from blogging most of August for a while my craft room was emptied to become a bar area for a family get together. This was fine until now it’s put back I can’t find a couple of boxes of my favourite sentiment stamps and just arrived stamps and dies. I’ve searched everywhere.

The sentiment on this card was on MFT penguin stamp set it may be this years Christmas sentiment. Papers are Doodlebug and out came the fun flock and flower soft mixture. You may get tired of James I brought quite a few.

It’s a busy week this week have a long dentist appointment which I’m not looking forward to. 

Baby Stroller

 Yes I know I’ve been missing but I will explain later in the post. First though a baby card I made for the latest addition to my family and after so many boys we now have a girl.

I used a LOTV image and paper piece the pushchair. The sentiments are from Simon says Stamp and I think the flowers are theirs too. Did go overboard on the flowers must remind myself less is more.

I’ve been missing because I had a belated Birthday with my brothers and as many nieces and nephews that were available nearly all have families of their own. My sister and her family were going to her sons but that fell through due to COVID and they gatecrashed which was a lovely surprise.

So the previous weeks we been giving the house a good sort and my craft room desk was cleared to make way for a bar. Now I need to return my craft room back but the party has left me exhausted, a good exhausted but I’m doing a little at a time so this time next week I should be up and maybe not running but definitely hobbling.

Trio Papers Birthday

 I haven’t given up on my blog but I have a rush job making a blanket with a deadline. I can now show you my brothers card.  

I sought out the Woodward Birthday stamp stamped it on different coloured papers and added some Birthday balloons using an old Penny Black die. The numbers and the today was cut out using a die I brought from a craft show many years ago.

I had a go at splatters trying hard not to splatter too much, must remember less is more.

Cute Critters

 Well I can show this card now since it’s been received. The critters are MFT which I layered to give a 3D look. The numbers were cut from my old Cricut since I don’t have dies that big. I did layered the them a bit to help them stand out too.

Since the recipient is male I kept it simple. 

BBQ Apron

 This card as now been received it was fun to do. The apron and the BBQ tools are Honeybee Stamps and I knew just who to make it for. Since I enjoyed making it I brought the garden set that works with the apron and I found a baking set that might work too. Do wish I used some pattern paper for the glove to help it stand out more.

The dotty paper is MFT and the Birthday die is Creative Expression. 

I have two cards in my drafts both waiting for them to be received and I still have a couple Birthday cards to make then I’m going to start on Christmas, a bit late for Christmas in July but I really need to get a start with them.

Humming Bird

 A card that’s now arrived at it destination. I finally brought some distress sprays which I used for the leaves and flowers of the Concord and 9th die. Still not sure on flowers centres hoped I could put a Pearl in the centre but they are random shapes. The hummingbird was tricky since there was no instructions which would of helped.

My only problem now I want more sprays and I’m reluctant to buy more since I’m not card making as much has I used to be. I still have two men’s card to make.

Congratulations

 

 I had to make another Wedding card this time I had the idea of using the Stamping up set I think it’s called Forever Fern. 

I used Simon says Stamp Congratulations die, I cut it twice with white the once more in gold. The glasses is a stamp  with a matching die. 

Apologies for the crooked photo.

Now I’m back making men cards and I can’t show you them till after their birthdays and it’s a bit too hot to make them but I’ve got a deadline.

Crochet Update

Its tricky to blog a crochet update with lots of photos to explain about which means it sends my i pad doolally so I have to do a post on the PC.

The above is a thin and possibly too long blanket that would work with a wheelchair or that was the idea when I crochet them together. Its made with all my left over scraps. 

I made this patchwork jacket with the Willow pattern from Jan Eaton because I didn't like the one with the pattern that I was trying to use but in the end I went my own way. Things to work on picking up stitches to make a border. I unpicked it several times and this was the best I could do. There's basically no neck shaping will that need further investigation.

 

I decided I needed a draught excluder so I made one again with leftovers wool

Next I made a star blanket which is earmarked for a baby. Its a pattern from Hooked on Sunshine.

I made this a while ago but I think its Natures Walk Blanket from Cherry Heart, I had all the wool in my stash.

Its been so long since I did an updater and I'm now got three projects on the go. Another leftover squares blanket, Splanna from Crystals and Crochet and Crochet Now have another cal which I've also  started. I want to have a go at a Mandala Madness from Crystals and Crochet got the wool just need to finish the Splanna since I'm near finishing but that won't happen now we actually got the warm weather.

Vintage Boys

 Sorry for the crooked photo but it actually straight just the way I photograph. Clean style Vintage Boys from LOTV.

Used a cloud stencil for the background which I’m not sure now if I like it. A MFT fence to give the sky a finishing point. A Simon Says Stamp sentiment to finish off, good job they are tiny words they only just fit.

Birthday Plants

 Not sure withe the white pen detail I think I need to work on less is more. I used patterned paper to look like a wall and floor, paper is MFT.

So are the dies, the flowers and pots are one set the shelves and table is another set. I enjoy playing with the dies so much I had to order the ladder die.

I hope to finish the card I started today it’s taken this long to get over the fall and wedding .

Wedding Card

 Finally a card the one I couldn’t show till now that the Wedding is over. Probably my favourite Wedding image from Tiddy Inks.

Have to confess I just used my favourite Wedding embellishments like the Penny Black cluster hearts die and the last piece of lace that I can’t seem to buy now. The crochet border die from MFT that I can be snipped so it fits round the oval and lastly the LOTV stamp.

The Wedding was such a lovely day and just the boost we needed. Although I’m suffering a bit now and not just with my problems but that fall last week did slightly more damage than I thought and apparently I need to be patient because bruised ribs take time to get better. Hope it improves soon I was in the middle of making card and it’s gathering dust whilst waiting for me to finish it.

 Just a quick note I haven’t forgotten my blog but the cards I’ve made are for a family wedding this weekend. I have been in my craft room this week and was hoping to blog at least with a post but managed to have a fall whilst I don’t think I’ve done too much damage feeling a bit battered and bruised. So I’m resting up since I have a wedding to go to.x

Tiny Townie Unicorn

 Plenty of pink going on here, I’m surprised the main mat works usually I need layer it. Can’t remember now the pack of paper it came from now.

The image is a Stamping Bella Tiny Townie. The fence and grass is using old MFT dies and the flowers are Elizabeth Designs although the centres are using Simon says Stamp Luminary die.

I have to confess not much card making lately but I have another wedding card to make this week already have an idea for that one but won’t be able to post it till after the 3rd July.

Vintage Boy Golfer

 Life is been quite busy also we have made the most of the lovely weather so my cardmaking as been on the slow side but I did make this chap.

He is from the Vintage Boys and I believe he might be coming as a physical stamp soon but I’m happy with a digi image. The papers are also from LOTV and I inked the white image mat to help it blend with the papers. 

My golf ball were made by punching out circles and embossed then with an old embossing folder. The actual reverse is showing. The sentiment is an old Stampin up one.

Wedding Layouts

I've finally decided to show the layouts I made at the last Retreat I went to before the world descended into chaos. I just didn't want to remind myself how anxious I was feeling most of the time.

I'm starting to think about actually scrapbooking again after over a year of doing none and I'm even more behind now. There are some good times that need recording and that includes some more Wedding Photos.

Although if I plan to do so in my craftroom it needs a massive tidy!