The First Robin

Todays card is made using a Sheena Douglas stamp. I stamped the image and a number of the holly leaves that were also on the stamp plate. I mounted the robin onto some mirri board and then created a small wreath using the holly leaves. I coloured the robin and leaves with my copics. The paper is from my extra large stash of christmas themed papers. I have edged the card with a glittered peeloff. I haven't seen our robin this year yet..it comes every year and I see it on the tree. I always think that christmas is on the way. There is something very nostalgic about seeing the robin.When I was little I was convinced that they must be very magical birds because of their colouring.

The weather here in the mountains today is lovely...at the moment. Earlier we had a massive downpour which sent a lot of people dashing out to get their washing off their lines..only to find 2 minutes later, that the sky was blue and not a cloud in the sky. This is the reason that I bought my first tumble dryer. I was so fed up of spending all my winter days surrounded by damp washing, especially when Henry was a baby..I decided no more..and bought my first tumble dryer.And for the extra expense that it makes, to me it has been worth every penny.

I've got a lot planned for today. I need to finish the window in the bathroom...then I can put it back straight..then that's it done...thank goodness. I'm also going to put the ornaments back on the landing and then there will also be ready for visitors. I'm so excited about the weekend..I've friends coming down from Yorkshire. I have lots of card work to do..some birthday cards which will feel strange after all the christmas crafting..lol. So it's going to be a busy day today. I also have a friend coming for dinner so I'll have to make a quiche later as well.

Well the coffee is calling and then with a good dose of caffeine, the work will go quickly. My friend has also just brought some decorations round to be painted..that's something I'll love doing because that at least will involve sitting down...giving my poor legs a moment to recover..lol. So until tomorrow..have a great day, take care and happy crafting.

The bough

Todays card is made with a stamp from the Sheena Douglas 'A Little Bit Sketchy' range. I love this stamp and hve been working with it in lots of different ways. I'm currently working on turning it into a christmas card..which I will share with you at some time soon.On this card I have stamped using a memento ink pad andhave coloured using my copics. The sentiment is also on the stamp sheet. I should also tell you that yesterdays stamped image is also on the sheet. So it really is great value for moneyI stamped the image and the sentiment, then mounted them onto some burgundy card. Overall it is a very simple card but could be used in many ways and for many occasions

Well today here in the mountains it is raining on and off. And the big news is that after many years, the path is no longer flooding. Even though t took the council so long to fix the problem...it's now perfect. It seems as if the moat is working..lol. It will be so nice to be able to get out without having to paddle. If only now they would get round to fixing the ladies street light and my dropped kerb...I may have nothing to moan at the council for. That in itself would be a novelty. But I'm sure with their tendency to ignore problems and make excuses over everything..it won't be long until I turn into a moaning minny...again.

Yesterday when I took Reg for a wheel we were joined by Rave, Tankie, Pink and Milky. We went up the lane to turnaround tree, and as we were sat there for a moment, I could hear the distant sound of a cat meowing. It was Jeff. He had been up to the quarry and must have heard us. I watched him make his way down, complaining all the way. When he got to quarry corner he ran onto the road and proceeded to run towards us, still complaining..lol When he finally made it to us, he ran immediately to Reg and loved him for a good 5 minutes. It was so sweet. At the moment they are both lay in the cats basket, curled up together.I have 3 cats sat on the windowsill waiting for the rain shower to stop.

Well the coffee is calling and I have a pile of work to do. Also I have alot to do sorting out my stuff for christmas crafting. Before too long I will be sitting in a swirl of glitter and everyone within a two mile radius will be twinkling..lol So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Blossom repeated

Does it look familiar? It should do...it's the same stamp as yesterday but I've used the same embellishments and a different backing paper. I made both cards for the fab team over at JB-Crafting Supplies. Even though lots of the same things have been used..it's a different card. This is something I love to do..stamp and colour an image and then make 2 different cards. When making cards I love to try lots of different backing papers and see what different effects they give. For all the details of the image please have a look at yesterdays blog and have a look at the slight differences in the card. They both have the same image, mounted in the same way. The same lace,flowers and backing card.

And this card is one that I made using all the scraps of left over paper.I laid them in stripes onto another card and edged with peeloffs. I had decoupaged this figure of Boofle and thought it would be ideal. I'm going to add a greeting..I had thought that a 'Sorry I forgot your birthday' would be funny.So out of 2 pices of backing paper and 2 sheets of backing card and I've got 3 cards.

 Well it's a little cloudy in the mountains today. Yesterday was spent sorting my crafting boxes out. Two reasons really to why I entered into the fray..one was getting some boxes free in readiness for christmas crafting and the main reason was Jeffrey. The last week or so he has been an absolute pain..lol..he has kept pushing my boxes over and then he looks at me as much to say..what are you going to do mother. He has driven me to distraction..so I decided to stop his fun. Mean woman that I am.

The coffee is calling..but first I'm going to have to take Reg for a wheel. I wonder how many cats will come today. I'm hoping that I can make it while it's still dry. So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting.

To everything there is a season

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at JB-Crafting Supplies. It features the stamp set called Seasonal Branches from the Sheena Douglas range called A Little Bit Sketchy.I have to say having used rubber stamps for many years there is a world of difference out there..quality and price wise. I have paid a lot of money for some stamps that no matter how you try it..the stamps are hard work to use. These stamps in the Sheena range are I think reasonably priced and the stamping is so easy. Every time I've used one of her stamps, no matter how detailed they are..stamp cleanly with a very sharp image. Just what you want. I stamped the image using a memento inkpad and coloured the image using my copics. I then used my distress ink round the outside using my blending tool. I mounted both the image and the sentiment onto some burgundy card. The card itself I took the same burgundy card and mounted some white card on top, along with some burgundy lace. I finally added a burgundy flower. Next week I'm hoping to make a christmas card using the same image.

I had a lovely weekend and managed to get a lot of work done. I'm hoping that this week is going to be a better one..but you can never tell who is going to turn up. I'm hoping to get some painting done..I've two skulls to finish and a small canvas. I will sharing a couple of new cds later in the week.I am thinking to myself that I will have to start making christmas cards..oh yes the glitter will be coming out..lol. I will need to have a sort out of my stash..all my christmas stuff gets put away together..so I will need to dig it out. Poor Reg..he hates nothing more than when I 'm going through drawers and making piles of stash. He never knows where to put himself..lol.Unlike the Jeffrey who loves to be in the middle of all the chaos. Jeff especially loves it when I get the ribbon box out..lol...it does get that bad that I end up having to shut him out of the room.

Well the coffee is calling. I would just like to thank everyone who leaves a comment or messages me..it means such a lot to me. And I love it when you share your wonderful creations.I noticed today that It's gone over 8000 views...goodness me I can remember when I was astounded to get up to a 1000..so thankyou all. Until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

The Christmas Farm

Todays card is a Sheena Douglass stamp. It reminds me of a lot of farm houses that I knew as a child and even some that I know now. I really loved using this stamp and it is a stamp that I feel I could use all year round, just depending what colours I used. In fact that's my plan in the new year...to use this stamp in a summer setting...so watch this space. I have just added some die cut snowflakes and a greeting.
I have spent the morning watching one of my all time favourite films. It is Scrooge...but the 1951 version starring Alistair Sims. It is a black and white version but I find it the most magical telling of the story. Some people would think that I've wasted the time..when I could be doing something more important...but to me it was important..it was a bit of christmas sentiment all for myself. And it helps me to feel festive...so it's all good. Please remember what I said yesterday...find a little time for yourself..after all..it's your christmas too.
The weather here is not in the least festive...the rain is sideways and the wind is howling. But here I am looking at the world from inside..and counting my blessings...I'm warm and cosy..my animals are within view ( and behaving for a change!) and my pain relief is working for a while. I couldn't ask for anything better.
Well the coffee calls..as it always does..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

The Christmas Farm

Todays card features a wonderful stamp by Sheena Douglass. I love this image as it reminds me alot of the farms here in Snowdonia. The stamped image was very clear for a large stamp. Many times with larger stamps it can be difficult to get a perfect image first time. It was not the case with this range. I have painted the image with H2Os and of course have added a little glitter. The only embellishment is some die cut snowflakes which I had also painted with H2Os to match the colours in the image. This is a large stamp providing the focal point on a 8x8 card. It could work equally as well on an A5 card. The backing paper comes from a Joanna Sheen cdrom.
When I buy cdroms I always pay attention to the backing papers. Many times I'll have a stamped image or an idea for a card that will need a backing paper and with all my cdroms I know that I will be able to find one that will fit the bill. I have recently been looking at a new cd by Creative Crafting World that has backing paper matched to over 70 colours. I'm thinking of buying it as an addition to my cdrom library. I can get a bit picky about colours..warm blues and cold blues, blue purples and pink purples, cold and warm yellows...my list goes on..and I need colours to match. People laugh at my card collection..I have a huge rainbow collection and many times I get asked just why I need such a collection and it is purely this colour match thing. I can find a backing paper to print but I seem to have a thing for the card to match. Perhaps I am bit ocd as far as colours are concerned but bad matches can make me twitch..lol
The weekend approaches quickly and the orders keep coming. I have a work on list by the side of me and work my way down it. Every 3 or 4 days I update it. Crafting does give me such a sense of well being. Knowing that I have a long list ahead of me and an afternoons crafting ahead...gives me a warm feeling..I know it's sad but each to their own. So wherever you are and whatever you have planned..take care and happy crafting.

A cup full of christmas

 

 

 

 

 



This card really sums up everything christmas for me. The image is from a Sheena Douglass stamp. I have coloured it with H2os. The backing paper is from a Joanna Sheen cdrom. One of my favourite things to do on this years cards is to make the corners using die cuts. I have used some of all my different dies..holly leaves,mistletoe,pine branches,pine cones and poinsiettas are from Tattered lacedie collections. Other pine branches and hooly leaves are from the Joanna Sheen Signature die range and the ivy garlans are from Crafters Companion. As I've said before always look at your dies and see what you can use together. It makes sense because you always want to make sure that you get the most use possible and therefore the best use of your money. Because lets be honest buying dies is not that cheap and as always with crafters we want value for money but we also good quality. Over the years crafting I've found that buying cheap you often get what you pay for and sometimes it's so much better to spend that little extra to ensure you get the quality. The weather here is rather bleak but as always it's a perfect afternoon for crafting. I am working on some cards from the Hollypond Hill Christmas cdrom by Joanna Sheen..I will sharing them with you soon. Whatever the weather with you, take care and happy crafting