EDIT; Just thought I would let you all know, We are moving on Thursday (22/12) so I won't be on here till the earliest 29th Dec (we have no phone line till then!) I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and if I don't get here before a wonderful new year! 


x


Morning all, well here we are, 5 days till santa will be coming down the chimney! I can't wait, I know Amelia is very excited about the countdown now, Nancy I think is still a bit young to understand, I can't wait to see their little faces on Christmas day with all their presents!

Im here this morning with this weeks challenge from Top Tip Tuesday! 

With the big day just around the corner we have what should be a nice and easy challenge for you all! Were looking for 

ANYTHING CHRISTMAS! 

Now that should be easy?! Those last minute Christmas Cards and extra special handmade gifts, or what about some handmade wrapping paper?!  I can't wait to see your creations!  

And this week there are some wonderful Tips from the girls, so pop over and see what that have to share with you! Plus if you share a tip with us (when you add your name to the link, please add TIP after) you can be in with a chance of winning our tipper prize!! 

Our sponsors this week are

Stash Books - Who is offering our featured tipper an amazing book 

(Pic of book To follow)

A bit about Stash Books: Stash Books is an imprint of C&T Publishing located in the San Francisco Bay Area.  If you’re craving beautiful authenticity in a time of mass-production…Stash Books is for you. Stash Books is a new line of how-to books celebrating fabric arts for a handmade lifestyle. Backed by C&T Publishing’s solid reputation for quality, Stash Books will inspire you with contemporary designs, clear and simple instructions, and engaging photography.

And 

Karens Doodles

Who offer a fantastic selection of designs in both digital and rubber stamps, 

They are offering our Winner three Digis of their choice from the store! 

Well I will share with you my little creation now, I had made this card for a friend.  It was for her dad from her children, as some of you may have seen me say before I struggle with men all year round, Christmas is just as hard I find... but then I came across this cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil - He is called 'Shall I Play For You', now I think is is once of the cutest digs I have seen, he has been sat on my computer since last year, I only used him once and then Christmas had come and gone again! 

I apologise for the deceiving colour on the above photo, I can't seem to find the original, and as the card is now on someones wall I can't take another photo, A good job the rest of the pictures came out OK! Here this little man it a bit closer, I love the little dog sat next to him, I can also think of so many sentiments I want to try with him - especially christmas ones! 

If you have come over from the TTT blog you would have seen my tip this week about making your own sentiments using a word/pages document on your computer, you can make them as small or large as you want and cut them to the shape you want too! I decided to use the wording 'Christmas Wishes for a Special Granddad' on this card, I printed a few different ones off all at the same time to make use of the paper! 

Both the image and sentiments were printed on Neenah card stock from Crafters Companion and the image was coloured with my copic pens - now once again I can't tell you what colours as I never wrote them down - plus with the move I can't find my lil book anywhere! 

I would like to enter this card to the following challenges; 

Bearly Mine - Anything Goes

Everybody Art Chalenge - Anything Goes

My time To Craft - Winter pals

Try It On Tuesday - Anything Goes

Make It Moday - Anything Goes

Now I hope that many of you will join in with us this week! I can't wait to see what you have created! Remember if you have a moment pop by the TTT blog and share some love with the fab girls over there! 

See you soon! 

x

Mmmm Red Shoes....

Evening all, well its been a busy day, decided that retail therapy was the way forwards.  So want a pair of red glittery shoes after my little project last night! but retail therapy was struck down when I had to collect paperwork from the solicitors! After lots of phone calls and discussions between me and numerous others - It looks like were moving next week! 4 days before Christmas! Got so much to think about now, to prepare and arrange and so this is probably the last post that I will sit here and wright, I do have some posts scheduled and so I hope they will appear, and I will try and get on to fill you all in when I can! 

Well onto what I managed to create last night after the stupidly long post on here, I browsed various challenge blogs and came up with some ideas.  I had a little hunt around and found a stamp that had slipped to the bottom of the draw, its one of the November releases from Whiff of Joy, Ok so it was the website that reminded me that it was there! This week at the WOJ Challenge blog there is a wonderful sketch by Karina!

And from there I managed to create a card from start to finish! Makes a change for me, have spent so much time recently just colouring due to lack of 'crafting goodies' available, and so I made do with what i had, it shows how much you get used to the 'nice' things you have, such as my big shot, there have been so many occasions recently where I have thought 'i'll just cut that' and I can't as I have no dies and no machine at the moment! Anyway enough waffling! 

Yes you can no see where my 'sparkly red shoe' idea came from! As a child at christmas I thought of nothing better than having red shoes for christmas, I never remember having red shoes for christmas, I remember being told to wear my school shoes with my dress so we could go to the pub for the 'Christmas drink'.  

There is my card, I hope you can all see the sketch in it! I decided to use some ribbon on this card as I have a bit here! The sentiment is also a WOJ stamp.  The papers and ribbon are from my stash. 

Here she is up-close, I wanted to keep her as simple as possible, i tend to start off well and then end up colouring it all in, but on this occasion I managed to get it pretty much how I wanted it, I used topic pens to colour and didn't think to note what ones I was using, I was on a roll though! I was so happy with the way she turned out, even more so now that I look at her more and more! 

There is the up-close of the sentiment, I did go a bit crazy with stickles last night, I wanted this card to have quite a bit of sparkle on it! I mounted the stamped sentiment onto green bazzill stock and rounded the corners just to soften the edges a bit, as I had used a scalloped edge 8x8 card. 

Here is an up-close of the ribbon bows I made, i cannot tie bows for the life of me, and so i make these cute ones! Normally when I want bows I get mum to do them so I make sure she is here when I need her! She is quite ill at the moment and so i haven't seen her for a few days! 

I hope you like my creation, i would like to enter this card to the following challenges;

Whiff Of Joy - Sketch 

Belles and Whistles - Lets Sparkle (lots of sparkles added!)

Crafty Boots Challenges - Christmas

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Sparkle

Hooked on Craft - Christmas

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Outlines Monday - Shiny and bright

Thank you for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon! If you have a moment I would love to read what you think, look forward to seeing you again soon 

x

Top Tip Tuesday #64 - A gift....

Morning all, well as I'm still posting you may have guessed that were still in the old house, still no news other than we have till Thursday to exchange.... chances of that happening... 50/50 at the moment, I will be glad once I know if I'm going before or after Christmas, we still don't have a tree up and my eldest is asking where it is! Her other question is 'how will father christmas know where were living?' I had to tell her that I will text him on Christmas eve to let him know... Hubby just raised his eyebrows when I said this... well what was I meant to say?!

Anyway I'm here to share with the the FAB challenge over at Top Tip Tuesday this week, I know its the turn of the other team but I decided to play along as I needed to keep my mind off of packing my house up too soon - although there is a lot to pack! and so this week we are looking for your;

Gifts.... 

This can be something you have made to give as a gift or an image of something/someone with a gift.  

We have three wonderful sponsors this week;

Simon Says Stamp

Simon Says Stamp are offering a $20 gift voucher for their store! 

Robyns Fetish 

Robyns Fetish are offing four stamps of the winners choice from the store! 

Di's Digi Downloads

Di's Digi Downloads are offering 1 prize of 5 digi stamps! 

Wow there are loads of prizes this week! How amazing.... join in and maybe you could grab yourself an early Christmas present! 

 Now I will tell you I struggled to do this challenge as I wanted to make a gift for a special friend... But I make cards and not much else, I'm not one to spend hours trying to make something that I know I'm not going to be happy with at the end! But I have seen so many people making the gorgeous candles at the moment I just had to give it a shot! 

I did have to do this slightly different to the the tutorials I have seen, due to the move I don't have any tissue paper or a heat gun, so I improvised and used a Kleenex tissue that I split the layers down so it was one sheet thick rather than three! I then used my old hairdryer to heat it up! It did go slightly wrong, I had planned on using the sheet as one and slowly heating the candle to make it stick but before I started the tissue ripped and so I had to cut it into sections and then I spilt a glass of water on the side - Note to self, no drink and crafting at the same time! 

(Please note if you haven't decorated a candle before you will need to cover the candle with baking paper before heating your image (placed on the candle baking paper over the top and heat!) and please please please watch your little crafting hands as it hurts if you burn them as I have found out!!!! )

This is how my design started before being put on the candle! 

I did decide after taking the picture to colour the reindeer, I did that using my copic marker, you do need to be careful when you get close to the edges of the image as I did find the colour would bleed out.  But it didn't show too much after it was put on the candle, you also need to cut as close as you can to the image as it mean you need to heat less.

I used a wonderful stamp set from Woodware called Winter Wonderland. It has sat in my stash this year, as its a bunch of lovely images its one that comes out time after time, you can make something as detailed or as simp as you want from it! 

I have spent a few days searching for the right image(s) to use to decorate the candle, I tried to colour various images wanting something Christmasy for a friend of mine (this is a little something to thank her for all her help recently!). But everything was too detailed or I found when colouring that it would bleed too much and so I thought this set was perfect as its mainly silhouettes, I have to say I think I was on a mad one the day I purchased the candle (its a 70 hr church candle so quite big!)! 

I decided that I would make it look a bit more gift like by wrapping it, I did 'attempt' to make a hexagonal box for it to go in, but after attempt two I 'threw' my paper out the pram and have up! I think I was seriously trying to push my own boundaries today by doing that.  

So yes, it simply got wrapped in some cellophane that looks like its snowing! I thought it fitted the candle rather nicely, as you can see i also added a handmade gift tag just to finish it off and so it was ready to give! The ribbon was from my stash and I thought a little red bow finished it nicely, made it look more Christmasy! 

I have to say I'm quite impressed with what I created, even if i do have very burnt hands from my hairdryer.  Im even considering adding a bit of glitter to this one to 'jazz it up' a bit! but it shows that anything is possible when you have limited bits and pieces - and trying something new isn't always that bad! 

I would like to do another candle but not sure how soon, my hands were covered in wax and a bit sore by the time I finished and so I think it may be a 'wait till the new house' job! 

I would like to enter this candle into the following challenges;

2 Sisters - Christmas 

Crafty Calendar - Cold and Frosty

Di's Digi Designs Challenge - All White Except the Image

Just Some Lines - Handmade gift 

Secret Crafter - All creatures great and Small 

Fairy Tale - Gift 

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

Art Impressions Stamp Challenge - Try Something New

Digi Doodle Shop Best - Nature

Well I hope you like what I have created and that I have inspired you to maybe try decorating a candle yourself... if you do, let me know would love to see some more of these beauties! maybe you could also join us at TTT this week? after all its a perfect gift for someone special!! 

Please pop over to the TTT blog and see the amazing creations by the DT girls and the FAB tutorial! if you have a moment leave them so love to let them know you stopped by! Also if you have a moment, I would love to hear what you think about my first attempt at decorating candles!!! 

Hugs to all and hope to see you again soon! 

xx

Looking Back and Thinking Ahead

Evening all, 

glitter-graphics.com

I'm sat her after a busy day and I have been thinking lots about all that has changed in the last year and what is to come in 2012 for my family and me! I was going to hold off on posting something like this till after christmas but I'm not sure what time I will have, so Im going to (probably) bore you to tears with a bit about me and the last year and what I hope is to come.  Its probably going to sound a bit jumbled.... but thats just the butterfly in me! 

Today we have been at Amelia's nativity, last year she was a snowman at the preschool and she cried all the way through on stage.  This year she has come so far, she has started 'BIG' school and has handled it very well, she is coming on leaps and bounds with letters, numbers, starting to read and her writing is amazing!  

Not only that but she has conquered the fear of the stage.  She has been in an AMAZING dance show 'the time of my life'.  She had all her hair done, costumes and full make-up on.  She was ill throughout the whole weekend (on antibiotics), I never expected her to get on stage when she was well - let alone the lack of sleep she had as well as a sore throat and lack of appetite. The loud music and the bright lights - and she asked when she could do it again!! She dances with the school that my (little) sisters used to dance at, we have been told that she is Kathryn through and through (other than the fact Amelia smiles while dancing - Kathryn always concentrated too much!)

So onto my beautiful little Nancy, well I think the only thing that is shining with her at the moment (other than the bruise from running into the table) is that she has a temper, that she is using more and more to try and get her own way! the problem is we have given in so much to her, so we have to toughen up - on the both of them! 

I think we are hitting the terrible 2's a bit earlier than we should, she is 19 months old now, I don't know where time has gone - this time two years ago we had a 3D scan of her, it just doesn't seem possible that she is growing so fast!  This year she has learned to walk, run, sit, scream and talk, words are coming together more and more every day, counting three and four are her favourite things and ready steady go! She is so AMAZING! 

Well hubby and I, well its felt like a very long year.  Soo many up's and downs with a few 'splits' in the road, but we have once again got through (nearly) another year of being married.  It will be 4 years 28th December that we were married, I don't know where the years have gone, but every moment with him is more and more amazing! We have been planning to move since about this time last year.  We put the house on the market end of June and it has sold - were nearly there with the moving now, not far to go.  I just want to know 'when?' - I like to know where I am and when, I'm not liking the indecision with life at the moment.  

So thats 2011 covered.  Im hopeful that 2012 is going to be 'THE YEAR', we should be in the new house, yes it needs a bit of work but its what we want.  Im hopeful that Amelia and Nancy will continue to bloom and blossom the way they are, they are my little angels and they mean so much to me! I also hope that all of you lovely people that follow me will continue to do so next year, I'm hopeful to 'expand' my creativity in other ways, do different things.  in 2011 I set myself a list of 'hopeful' resolutions that only one or two were fulfilled, next year I'm not putting the pressure on, what will be will be, I will get done what i get done and that is the laid back attitude I hope to keep for 2012. 

Thank you if you have taken the time to sit and read this, if I don't get time to pop back and post again (I have a few posts scheduled for the next few weeks!) before Christmas or the New Year, wishing you and yours the 

'Merriest Christmas you can find and A New Year that you will never forget!'

xxxxxx

Top Tip Tuesday #63 - Let it Snow

Morning all, well I wasn't expecting to be sat here today (well it was meant to be yesterday but i completely forgot to type this up - Sorry Girls!), hoped that I would be running around like a headless chicken,but I'm not complaining, need to chill a bit! Feeling a bit sad that I haven't got any christmas decorations up - and I'm not sure if there is going to be time to get any up before the big day! (in fact I know there is no time, we are hoping to move on the 21st December!)

Well I'm here to share this weeks challenge at Top Tip Tuesday, this week we are looking for your snowy creations, if you go to the TTT blog you will see a wonderful tutorial from Bettina, how stunning is that snowflake?! I so have to find the time to make one!

So come on everyone..... 

Let it Snow! 

So our sponsors this week are;

The Crafty Pad Designs

The Crafty Pad

Prize - 2 Digi Images Debbie at The Crafty Pad Stamp Designs says... The Crafty Pad Stamp Designs is proud to sponsor Top Tip Tuesday.  I own and run The Crafty Pad Stamp Designs. We offer a variety of digi stamps. Weekly challenges are held at The Crafty Pad Blog.

And

3 images of your choice from Limited Runs

Nikki from Limited Runs says...

 I've started doing more paper crafts within the last Year and have found it to be very addictive and slowly it's been getting larger. Creating Digi's just happened to be a blend of using my drawing and computer graphix together to create "Limited Runs" which is my little digital stamp store. I've also started Freebie Fridays and will be doing this for a Limited time too. Each may be posted from 1 day to ??? (Limited Time Offer) May you all enjoy my digi's as much as I love to make them.  SO if your looking for some YUMMY cupcakes I've got over 50 Varieties to choose from and lots more with more always in the works.

So here is my little creation..... I can't give too many details on it as I used my mums pens to colour when I was over there last week, The image is from Mo's digital pencil, I love this little man at Christmas, I think he is fab for males birthdays, especially in the winer months, I used him last year for my father in laws birthday.

I decided to go 'away' from the traditional colours, but i do prefer him done in browns with reds or greens rather than purples!!! I used liquid pearls on the base of the image to look like snow, it looks shocking in the picture but docent look too bad in real life!!! The card blank is a scalloped 8x8 and the papers are all from my stash - I thought that i tied the purple in with the backing paper but again it looks more blue with the flash!!! ! The 'tis the season' is from a bo bunny paper pack i purchased just before the christmas rush started! 

I thought it just finished the card off, with so few supplies at the moment, i am using limited resources and can't wait to have my stuff back with me, I hear it calling me all the time! I may even get my own craft room at the new house, due to the kids maybe sharing for a few years, and we need a 'computer (make that craft and computer) room! 

Well there he is and I hope you like him, sorry I can't inspire you more for the 'snow' theme this week, but remember there is loads of inspiration on the TTT blog, please stop by and see the fab tutorial and let them know that you have been over to see! 

I would like to enter this card to the following challenges;

ABC Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me - Snow/Snowflakes

I hope to be back soon with some photos of the house, I can't wait to hear what you all think! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Christmas is Nearly here....

Yes I know it may be swearing to some of you but I have to say I'm kind of excited about Christmas this year!  And yes, I did have to push the limits and make my blog look 'seasonal'!

Were still in the old house at the moment but hope it won't be long now, they think it may be the week before Christmas, I don't care when I move as long as I start to get a bit of space!
Its all moving along as it should, I will celebrate Christmas late if i have too! 

Well as you know I have a lack of stuff at the moment! But I'm plodding on and making do with what I have (and buying new bits as and when I have to have them LOL!).  We have had a couple of big sales this week and have one more to do, then there will be no more till summer 2012! - I have to say I'm kind of relieved, this week has shown the stress onto of everything else!

Im here to share with you a very quick card that i made for a friend of mine, she wanted something from her kids to her sister and fiancé! 

I used the gorgeous Christmas Angel from Saturated Canary, I just fell in love with her when i saw her and had to have her! She can be done in so many colours and I'm sure if you cut her out you can take the baubles off and use her at any time of year! 

Here she is a bit closer, I used non traditional colours mainly, it was bizarre as I have brought my papers back home and I foot about the blue and purple sparkly paper I had at the bottom of the folder! 

Well I can't tell you too much more about her, Im not taking notes of what I'm doing at the moment, but hopefully it will all settle soon! I would like to enter this card to the following challenges; 

Saturated Canary - Anything Goes

Crafty Purple Frog - For someone special 

Samuel Taylors - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by, if you have a moment I would love to hear what you think!  I will pop back later in the week hopefully with more creations and maybe a picture of my new house! 

xx