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Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Two New Babies!

Hi Everyone,
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
 
Thanks to and inspired by Pops,  I am now seriously going to try to make more CAS cards. They are certainly not as easy as they look!
 
I have used 2 of the new Lili Of The Valley baby stamps, Cosy Pram and Balloon Basket. Stamped onto Watercolour 350gsm card and coloured with Distress Inks. The sentiment is also from a LOTV set.
 

I used a watercolour pen, to squiggle a line around the card, very roughly. I used Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA - Dusky Pink, for the little raised dots.
 
The sparkles are of course, Star Dust Stickles.

 
You can use either stamp for boy or girl. I think next time I use the balloon stamp, I will definitely stamp the balloon twice and 3D it.
 
 
This is the first time I have made the pictures x-large. Could only do so on the blue card. The pink one went over onto the side panel. Shows they are a bit blurry! Please let me know what you think. Not too rude though!!

 
I am going to enter one into some challenges, as it is my New Year resolution. You will see if I keep to it!Lol!!
 

Challenges
Crafty Little Fairies - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Old, New Borrowed, Blue
 
I hope you are all ready to see the New Year in. We just like to sit and watch the fireworks at midnight and then go to bed. Boring I know but I am too knackered to do anything else!
 
So Happy New Year to all who visit my blog.
 
Maybe some more of you can join me as followers next year. I aim to get to 100 followers next year, so will need your help.
 
The biggest of hugs to you all,
 
Carol S.xx
 
 

Saturday, 28 December 2013

My Favourite Five Christmas Creations

Hi everyone,
 
Hope you are still enjoying the Christmas break. We had a few power cuts on Christmas Eve but nothing like some parts of the South. A tree came down at the bottom of the road, blocking it for a while. Today it's lovely to see the sun and not too windy either.
 
I decided to join in the fun of choosing my favourite 5. I found it quite difficult to do! They are not in any order of preference though. I will also link them to Debby's Challenge, A Scrapjourney.
 
 
This was one of the first cards I made, many months ago! The first, with the newly released Lili of the Valley stamps. Coloured with my favourite Distress Inks. I think she is my favourite LOTV release this year.
 
 
Another LOTV stamp! Loved it too! I am very fussy with my snowman stamps. It is all in the face and these are just right.
 

This one was great fun to make and looks so much better than the photo shows. I used white flock, mixed with ultra fine glitter on the polar bear. The shading still showed through and you could stroke his fur!
 

This was another easel card, with I think again, one of my favourite LOTV stamps. Could be used all year round too. Just do not ink the 'snow'.
 
 
This was probably my favourite card. I made it for the manager of the Charity that I fund raise for. She said she thought it was so beautiful, that it brought tears to her eyes. It is definitely one to see in real life. I used the new Cosmic Shimmer, Glitter Jewels, Iced Snow on the flowers. I think it was my favourite Christmas product this year. It gave great texture. I also used it on the snow on the polar Bear card.
 

Well I hope you like my choice. I would love to see yours. So why don't you join in the fun over the weekend.
 
Have a great weekend,
 
Hugs,
Carol S.xx


Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Happy Christmas!

Hi Everybody,
 
This is my last posting before the big day.
 
This card is for everyone, who takes the time to visit my blog and especially those who leave me such lovely messages. I want to wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a Brilliant 2014.
 
I am amazed, that even at the busiest time of our year, you still find the time to stop by my little blog. Thank you so much.
 

I also would like to thank Lili of The Valley, for all the amazing stamps they have provided for us to use this year. The quality is second to none.
 
I would also like to thank their amazing design team, for the stunning inspiration they provide us with daily, through the blog. I am looking forward to 2014, to see what they come up with!
 
 
I hope to find the time over the next few weeks, how to use my blog a bit better. I don't even know how to make a post stay at the top of the page! Or even to find and use different fonts, other than the boring blogger ones! I must find out so I can do a Candy posting!
 

I just hope the weather calms down a bit. These strong winds and the non-stop heavy rain is getting boring. Our back garden has a couple of ponds we didn't have a few days ago! We even had 3 power cuts this evening. Fortunately, we had just finished our meal, when the first one happened. That one lasted for half an hour. The following 2 were a bit shorter. It's just a pain having to reset Sky TV each time it went off.
 
Well I am having an early night tonight. These 2am nights have caught up with me. So I am going to be in bed by 12.30!
 
Have a wonderful time with your friends and families and see you all soon.
 
The biggest of huggles to you all,
 
Carol S.xxxxxxxxxxx

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Mannequin No: 2


Hi to all my lovelies,
 
This is my other Mannequin I mentioned in my last posting. It is very different from the last one, much more girly.
 

I found some tissue paper that I had been playing with, in my stash. I had sprayed it with my Cosmic shimmer Mica sprays. I am guessing at the colours I used as, a teal colour and pearlescent.
 
I then stamped it with an old Penny Black Flower stamp, using Picked Raspberry DI. I tore the tissue into small pieces and using IndigoBlu Slap It On, I covered the form with the tissue. When dry, I stamped swirls using Flitter Glu and applied some silver Flitter Flakes on top.
 
I made a small necklace, using beads from my stash and glued it to the back, to hold it in place. I then attached a piece of lace, topped with a piece of ribbon with dangly beads on it, around the bottom.
 

I found the piece of cord with a tassel on each end, in my odds and sods box. I know we have all got one! Couldn't believe my luck, as the colour matched perfectly!
 
I made the flower from a Woodware large flower punch. I found this very strange piece of paper in my pink paper box. Goodness knows where it came from. It has a very strange texture to it but the colour was perfect. I just added a bit of the DI around the edges. I was quite pleased with it, as when made, it looked more like fabric.
 
 
The top is a door knob that I bought, when we updated the kitchen at our last house. We were selling the house and wanted to tart up the aged kitchen! As you do!! The butterfly is a Mariannes die set. 


The leaves in the bottom picture, are a set I bought in a sale, Dees Distinctively.  
 
I really enjoyed making these mannequins. Very different and fun to do. I have another 3 of them to do but will save them for next month.
 
I am still clearing up my craft room, from all the Christmas clutter. I have put some away but still a couple of boxes on the floor yet to do.
 
I have bought some new Sizzix flower dies. They are amazing. Everybody I have shown the flowers to, thought they were real. I will put them in my next post.
 
I am Christmas shopping tomorrow with my husband in tow! Well you do need someone to carry the bags! Just got the last few pressies to get. I hope the weather is at least dry, unlike the last few days here. Rain and then more rain!
 
Well I am off to cook dinner. I missed lunch, so getting a bit hungry now.
 
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your friendly messages.
 
Hugs,
 
Carol S.xx

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Mannequin Magic.

Hi everyone,
 
I hope you are sitting safely on your seats! Yes, it is two postings in one week! Shocking I know but I just felt the need.
 
I bought this Papier Mache, mannequin from The Craft Barn in Surrey. I just checked and they are out of stock at the moment. I am not surprised, as they are the best price I have seen them.
 
I used IndigoBlu Slap it On to stick the paper onto the base. It was pages from an old book I had. Don't forget to check pieces for any naughty words!
 

The top was an old door knob, with a piece of trimming I had in my stash, glued around the neck. I also put some around the mannequin's neck and attached some beads to it, that I had just threaded onto some cotton. I added a metal flower to the end of it.
 
 
I used Indigoblu Flitter Glue and stamped some swirls onto the paper and then covered it with gold Flitter Flakes. The picture above is the back.
 
The picture below was taken before I had completed the trimmings. I attached some beads to a tassel and stitched it to another piece of trimming, then stuck it around the waist.
 
I also covered the piece of dowling with paper, up to where the base of the mannequin finished. My good old Brother-in-law, turned me some Mahogany stands.
 
 
I used Marianne die cut butterflies and stuck them here and there. The flower on her shoulder I made from scraps of paper. The large petals I drew and cut out. The centre piece, is just a strip of paper that I feathered and rolled up, then glued into the centre of the large petals.
 
Around the hem area, I stuck a piece of antique lace and topped it with a piece of ribbon , which had Mother of Pearl discs hanging from it. Simples!
 
I really enjoyed doing this, as it was very different from cards, candles and clocks!
 
 
I have done a second one, that is very different from this one. I will try to post it soon. Three posts in one week is unheard of for me!Hee, Hee!
 
Thank you for taking time to pop over to my blog. I know we are all very busy at this time, so I appreciate it even more.
 
Hugs,
 
Carol S.xx

Monday, 9 December 2013

Pretty In Pink

Hi my blogging friends,
 
Are you ready for the big day. I'm not and I don't think I am alone! I have had a very busy few weeks, with a Craft Fair every weekend and both my children's birthdays. I did my last fair last weekend and it was the end of the best fairs run I have done. It was also my daughters' 40th birthday. That was followed on Tuesday, with my son's 37th birthday. I put it down to cold Februaries!
 
I would also like to welcome my new follower to my blog. I hope you enjoy visiting my blog and I hope to post more often. 
 
It doesn't look like I am going to get to 50 followers by Christmas!Lol! I suppose it would help if I posted more often and entered more challenges. I am sure I must have less hours in my days, than the bloggers that post every day!! How do you do it?!!
 
I have spent the whole of this weekend sorting out and cleaning my craft room. It was pretty bad. I had got to point, that even I couldn't cope with the mess! I finished all my Christmas cards on Friday. I managed to make everyone a card. So I got stuck into sorting out first thing Saturday morning. I found things that I had forgotten I had.
 
For this card, I used a stamp from the latest girlie stamps, from Lili of the Valley. She is called 'Getting Ready'.  They released 5 stamps and I just had to buy them all. I stamped them all out the day they arrived but told myself, that I couldn't make a card until I had finished all my Christmas cards.
 
 
 
The sentiment is from Annette's blog and she has freebies that you can download. Click here for the link. Her blog is brilliant and she really does make me laugh. It is also very inspiring and you must check out her clocks. They are stunning.
 
I coloured the image with Distress Inks with a dusting of Stickles on the bows, her dress and the edge of the white table cloth. None of it shows of course. I also added some Glossy Accents to the mirror.
 

The flower was a mixture of Spellbinders dies. The base layer is using the middle size Aster flower and the other 2 layers were using the Poinsettia die. I also used 2 different papers from my scraps box. The leaves are a Marianne die.
 
 
We got the 2 Christmas trees and decs out of the loft today. So I will spend the next couple of days cleaning the rooms and decorating the trees.
 
We are at friends, at the top of our road, for Christmas day and then all the family are coming to us on Boxing day. Should be a fun couple of days. Loads to eat and I might even have a drink. I have been off wine since last Christmas, hoping to lose more weight.
 
I hope to get a few earlier nights now, as I feel it's catching up with me. Going to bed at 2am and getting up at 8am is not good. I can't keep going on 5 or 6 hours sleep.
 
Right, it is 1.00am, so I am going to finish now and I should be in bed by 01.15, so 45 minutes earlier than normal. That's a start isn't it!
 
Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments that you leave  me. I really do treasure them.
 
Night, night.
 
Hugs
 
Carol S.xx
 


Sunday, 24 November 2013

Wheeee!!

Hi everyone,
 
Just a quick post tonight. I did a Craft Fair yesterday and sold so much, I have a lot of stock to get made, for another fair next Saturday. It's all go at this time of year. I have decided not to do any more fairs in December. Even yesterday, I was asked to do one on the 12th December. I think it's far too late, as most people would have done their present shopping by then, so I declined.
 
I loved making this little card. Just pieces of torn copier paper for the hill and edged with DI Broken China. Topped off with Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels, Iced Snow.
 
The stamp is Lili of the Valley's Sledging Buddies. I added a little shading to the Polar Bear and a touch of pink to his cheek. I then covered him with Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels, Diamond Sprinkles. The shading and colour still showed through when the glue had dried.
 
The clouds are a Joy die. The sentiment is an old stamp and the metal snowflake was from our 99p shop.
 
I am sure I can hear the little Penguin shouting "Wheeee!!"
 

The background is just Stormy Sky DI with dots of snow.

 
Now the next picture are wood turned Snowmen, from my Brother-in-law's workshop. He was playing on his lathe and came up with these. He had told me about them and wanted some Holly for their hats. I cut the leaves from a die and took them when I went to visit.  On arrival, I was directed into the workshop and he showed how to make one. I ended up making 2, the one on the right in the front row and the one just to his left in the back row.

I brought these home and he still had over 20 left! A rather large family and they all look different. Sadly, the skinny one in the middle front row, has split right down the middle.  So he had to be binned! The one on the left also split a bit down one side but not too bad, so I am keeping him. I sold 2 at the Craft Fair, so just 2 left.
 

I have another couple of things I have made that are not cards. So I will take pictures tomorrow and will try to get another post on this week.
 
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments. I always try to visit you blogs every day.
 
Hugs,
 
Carol S.xx

Friday, 15 November 2013

In The Pink

Hi everyone,
 
Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog. You are all so very kind and I know I am very naughty, not posting for a while! What with organising a Craft Fair, also selling at them and trying to keep up with card orders, I haven't had a spare minute. I have managed to keep up with commenting on the blogs I follow but only doing it about 1am! I have to admit, I am absolutely knackered!
 
The dust in my house is awful, so the weekend is going to be spent cleaning. Yuk!
 
This Nativity stamp from  Lili of the Valley, is definitely one of my favourite Christmas stamps this year. This is one of my 'stock' cards. Nearly a CAS card but just not too much in the way of embellies, to keep within the lowest postal rate.
 
 
The background paper is from my stash, that I made with my Granddaughter, using the shaving foam technique. It's great fun and you never know what pattern you are going to get.
 
The gorgeous little angels are coloured with Distress Inks, with Cosmic Shimmer glitter on their wings and halo's.
 
 
I also needed a new baby girl card for stock. I just love this LOTV Umbrella Bunny. I coloured her with Copics pens. The sentiment is also a LOTV stamp that comes with the baby stamp, All Our Dreams.
 
 
Again I have not added too many embellies for the postal costs.
 
 
I am going to enter the Lili of the Valley Thursday Challenge, Pink and White.
 
Next year I intend to enter more challenges. I love looking at them but can't seem to find the time to fiddle around on the computer. More me time, is my New Year resolution.
 
Thanks for stopping by. I just love reading your messages.
 
Have a great weekend.
 
Hugs,
 
Carol S.xx

Sunday, 3 November 2013

Little Angel

Hi to all my blogger friends, hope you are enjoying your weekend.
 
My cough has finally gone and my voice has now returned to normal. Thank you for all your get well messages.
 
Just a quick post as I am really tired tonight. I actually managed to get some housework (boring!) done today. I now won't feel so guilty, when I spend some time crafting tomorrow! I have so many orders to complete.
 
This little angel is, surprise, surprise, another Lili of The Valley stamp. Coloured with Distress Inks.
 
They have 5 new girlie stamps on sale on Monday. Guess what I will be doing that day?!
 

The backing is from Dovecraft, 'Tis The Season ' paper collection.
 
The photo below is a bit rubbish. A bit blurry to say the least. I thought it was my eyes and I haven't even had a drink tonight!Lol.
 
 
Gosh I am so tired and it's only 12.35am. It's all this housework. It really is not good for you. Crafting is much better for your physical and mental health. Really relaxing and you forget any problems you have.
 
The screen keeps disappearing from my view when I yawn. Right I am off to bed. I bet when I get there, I will not be able to get to sleep, as it's too early. Can't win! I will be up again in about an hour of tossing around the bed.
 
Thanks for stopping by and I love reading all your lovely comments.
 
Hugs,
 
Carol S.xx

Sunday, 27 October 2013

Snowflake Fairy

Hi to all my blog viewers. Hope you are having a good weekend. Did you remember to change the clocks?!
 
Here in West Sussex, we are tying everything down, for the high winds that are coming in later today. We have an enormous Oak tree at the bottom of our garden, which would flatten our bungalow if it fell our way! Better the opposite direction, as that is into a field!
 
So far this weekend, we have had heavy rain and windy all day yesterday and a mix of sunshine and heavy showers this morning. I think the weather stopped people coming to the Arts and Craft Market I did yesterday. It was very quiet compared to last year. I sold a quarter of the amount I did last year. The positive from that is, I don't have too much to make! Poppy clocks and Poppy candles of course!
 
Here is another Lili Of The Valley Christmas Fairy stamp. She is gorgeous. The backing paper is from Joy Crafts, Winter Paper Bloc. I really love these papers, as they go so well with the Distress Inks I use to colour with.
 
 
The metal snowflake at the bottom left, is from a pack of 6 I bought in our 99p shop. I just loved the filigree look.

 
For the snow I used Americana Writer, an Acrylic dimensional writer, with Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels Diamond Sprinkles, on the top. Stardust Stickles in other areas too.

 
I have my Grand-daughter tomorrow, as it is half term. I think she is going to laugh at my voice, as I have had a virus, which has given me a very deep voice. It started last Sunday with a tickly cough, which kept me up all night, sitting on the sofa. I have been rough for most of the week, mainly through lack of sleep. Finally I felt a bit better on Thursday. Still have a bit of a cough but only in spasms. So many people have, or have had this virus. My husband got it at work and at one time, most of the people there had it.
 
I have a few birthday cards to make today, for my Son-in-law, an elderly friend and multiple orders for 3 friends, along with Christmas card orders. Oh and Poppy clock and candles! No housework again today! Never mind. Hee Hee! 
 
Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and your lovely messages. A special thanks to my new visitors and I would love you to join my other followers.
 
Big hugs and stay safe, if you are in the high wind area today.
 
Carol S.xx

Sunday, 20 October 2013

White On White

Hi everyone,
 
So sorry I haven't posted lately but as I sold so much stock at my last Craft Fair, I had a lot to get made for the one I had yesterday. The last one was over 2 days and I sold 3 large and 1 small crates full of stock! Great for my Charity, Brendoncare - Stildon.
 
Had another good Fair yesterday. I sold the most I have ever sold at this venue. The fairs are every 2 months there, with an extra one at the end of November. So this week I am working flat out to make more stock, for yet another Fair on this coming Saturday! Clocks are my biggest seller at the moment!
 
This is a boxed card with my favourite, white on white. With a little Chipped Sapphire DI thrown in.
 
As this is a quick post, as I must get back to my desk, I will just list the products I used.
 

An A5 card blank, 320gsm card for the embossing and stamping. Wow white EP for the snowflakes on the first layer of the backing card. Just visible on the left.
 
 
Sheena Douglass Christmas stamp. Creative Expressions Snowflake Mask. Centre aperture cut with Spellbinders Opulent Ovals Die. Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die. Dee's Distinctively Wreath Builder dies for the leaves. Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels - White Ice on the flowers. The metal charm was from our 99p shop! You get 6 assorted charms for 99p! The sentiment is from Hobby Art Designs.
 

I have loads of cards made and will try to post a bit more often. I would like to enter some challenges again but it takes me so long to do! I wish I had another pair of hands and an extra 5 hours in each day!

Marianne has persuaded me to enter the Crafty Little Fairies Challenge. So I have!
 
Thank you for taking the time to visit and to leave such lovely comments. This is a busy time for all of us crafters and it is appreciated all the more, to get such wonderful comments.
 
Big hugs,
 
Carol S.xx

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Our Charity Craft Fair

Hi Everyone,

This is the 'big' version of our poster!!


If you are in the area, please bring a friend and have a bit of fun while shopping!

Stalls include, Clay Jewellery - STUNNING!! Every piece is unique. I was at Ally Pally last week and was chatting with Sue Wilson and she loved my necklace. She is now in touch with Chrys who makes the jewellery.

Glass Follies - stunning decorative stained glass items to hang or stand.
 
Cushions, quilts, lots of small fabric items. All beautifully handmade with love.

Assorted hand made miniature items.

Beautiful wood turned bowls, spinning tops and too many things to list.

Jams, Chutneys and Preserves, ideal for Christmas.

J'Zam - Small gift item for all ages.

Cakes, Savouries, Jam andMarmalade.

Usborne Books

Hand painted clocks, mirrors, candles, gift boxes including Christmas.

Greetings and Christmas cards.

Mosaic decorative items.

There are 14 stalls in the Lingfield Suite, where there is a bar, that also makes brilliant coffee! With an area to sit and relax after shopping.

The Sports Club is where some of the Olympic Hockey team are based.

The club supports The British Heart Foundation. They will also be having a stand for a raffle. Some of the prizes are supplied by each stall hollder.

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

Monday, 30 September 2013

Brilliant Weekend!



Hi everyone,

Firstly, I must thank all of you that have left comments on my last posting. I have never had so many comments on one posting. So thank you all very much. I now just have to beg for more followers!! If I get 50 by Christmas, I will find some candy to post.
 
I am absolutely shattered today and even my husband is too. Fortunately he had booked today off work. The reason is, because we did a Craft Fair both Saturday and Sunday, in Knockholt in Kent.  About a 40 minute drive from home. It is in a marque in a Garden Centre, that people to go to for their famous restaurant.
 
On Saturday we had over one thousand people through!!! (clicker counted at the door) and I think they said around 700 on Sunday, but will get confirmation on that. To say it was busy was an understatement. It didn't even ease off at lunch time, when most markets do, but it was an amazing atmosphere. We really enjoyed the weekend. And of course we sold loads of things. I ended up with 4 empty crates!
 
This is an easel card I made last week, with one of the stamps I bought from the Lili of The Valley stand at Ally Pally.  She is called Snow Queen and is beautiful. I used Distress Inks to colour her. The backing paper is from a Joy Crafts paper pad called Winter Paper Bloc.

The die I used is Go Create, Large Frilly Die set 10. I bumped into Paul from Go Create at Ally Pally. When he first started doing his dies, a few years ago, he used to come to The Craft Barn where I was a Tutor and Demonstrator. He would have a stand at our Extravaganza days and do demos along with us. He is really funny and we always had a good laugh. It was nice to catch up.



The snow flakes are a Memory Box  die and the flower is a Spellbinders Aster flower die. The sentiment is an old one. Can't remember from where it came!


For the snow I used Americana Writer glue, with Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels, Diamond Sprinkles on top. I sold the card on Saturday!
 
If you wonder why I haven't posted very often, read on and you may understand why!!
 
Now I don't want to bore you but I managed to take a few pictures of my stall, just after 1 o'clock! It opened at 10am and we were too busy to take any pictures until then. So I had already sold loads of things before these were taken.
 
After these pics were taken, in this picture I had sold the seed books, the large oval teal box, the football note books, 5 small notebooks, 9 Post-it pads, (just to the left of the pink clock)  2 heart books (behind the football books) and the pink chest right at the front.

In the pic below I sold, the dark pink daisy box, the boxed card, the gardening books (standing up to the right of the pink clock) plus 2 from my spares box. The poppy clock ( I had already sold one Poppy clock) this one was my spare and the same lady bought the Poppy mirror and 2 Poppy candles. She couldn't decide what to have, so bought them all!

On the top shelf the white flower pot went. On the shelf below, the small Teal wooden box at the front. I had already sold a pink bag/box, similar to the one in the back right corner. Also 7 of the little round baskets on the top shelf.
 
In the picture below, most of the Christmas gift boxes have gone. Along with the bath bombs right at the front (the blur of cellophane!) Also a gold cracker gift box.
 
In the next pic, the box of cheap cards, most have gone! Along with the boxed card (LOTV angel stamp) at the front. Also the little James and Snowman (LOTV stamp) box went. The top image was tied with ribbon to another circle underneath. The one below was stamped with a LOTV fairy  and coloured with DI. It meant that the box could then be used as a trinket box. 

My cards racks were bursting with cards when I started the day. They are now nearly empty!

Fortunately I have 2 weeks before my next Craft Fair and then the following weekend again. The second one is always busy too!
 
I think I am going to have a few late nights for the next few weeks. I am not complaining, as I love the excuse to sit and craft! Also the more I sell, the more money for my charity!
 
Sadly, I now have to do the ironing and not crafting!
 
Thank you for stopping by and for all your lovely comments.
 
Hugs,
 
Carol S.xx