Christmas Has Come Early!!!

Hi all you lovely bloggers.

Also, welcome to my lovely new follower, Debs.

Thank you for taking the time to join me.

I will of course return the compliment.

 

Well it's nearly here, Christmas that is, in the UK.

 

This is my last Christmas card I made, for our Granddaughter.

 

I cheated and used an image from one of the Lili Of The Valley pads.

She is so beautiful and I just had to add a bit of glitter.

 

The backing paper, was from a Forever Friends paper pad, I bought at Ally Pally.

Just added a dot of Stickles on the snowflakes and ran a silver pen around the edges.

 

The snowflakes are from a Spellbinder die and I put three together.

You can't tell from the picture, but they were cut from glitter paper.

 

I have some exciting news to tell you. I have received an early Christmas present!!

 

I have been asked by the lovely Lynsey, to join the DT,

 on the Winter Wonderland challenge blog.

 

How exciting is that?!!!

 

Of course I had to spend a few days to think about it....NOT!!

A wonderful start to 2015.

 

I wanted to add the banner onto my blog, but having a problem at the moment.

 

 

I would like to wish, all of the lovely people that visit my blog, including the ones who don't leave me a message (maybe you will next year!),

a Wonderful and Happy Christmas

and a

Brilliant Crafting, Happy New Year!

 

Sending you all the biggest of hugs available,

 

Carolxxxxxxx

 



Crafting For All Seasons Challenge 92

Hi All,

 

Another challenge at Crafting For All Seasons, starts today

and lasts for 1 month as it's Christmas!!

 

The theme this time is - Christmas, Anything BUT A Card.

 

We have 3 brilliant sponsors for this challenge.

 

Firstly, Lacy Sunshine is giving 3 images free.

 

 

The second is Bugaboo Stamps and they are giving away 7 digis free!!



And finally, Stitchy Bear Outlet are giving 3 images free.

I think you will agree that the sponsors are very generous. 

 

 The image I am using for my gift bag, is Flurry, from Lacy Sunshine stamps.

 

She is gorgeous and I really enjoyed colouring her.

I used Distress Inks as usual.

 

For the snowflakes, I used Martha Stewart Paper Clay and a snowflake cutter.

The charm is from one of those 'one price only' shops!

 

For the snow, I used Americana Writer glue and Cosmic Shimmer glitter.

 



For some amazing inspiration, do pop over to the challenge here.

 My DT teamies, have made some stunning pieces of art work.

 

Thanks for stopping by and looking forward to seeing your entries.

What are you going to make?!!

 

I have just done my last Craft Fair for this year. I did Saturday and Sunday, of last weekend. Saturday was very frosty and freezing at the venue. We were lucky in the afternoon for a bit,

as the sun came out and warmed up the greenhouse we were in.

Sunday was mainly dark and miserable but not quite so cold.

On Saturday, we had 1,009 people through. I was worried that I would not have enough stock for Sunday. It was selling that quick!!

Clocks, big and small boxes, butterflies, were all flying of my stall!

 

Sunday was a bit quieter but still sold quite a lot.

I had taken 10 crates of stock for the weekend.
I came home with 4 empty crates!!

 

I must now finish making my cards. I still have 52 to make for me and a couple of orders too.

 

Thanks for your lovely, encouraging messages. I do love reading them, as they brighten these dark, miserable, winter days.

 

Hugs,

Carolxx

 

Heavy Parcels!

Hi everyone, It's so cold here in West Sussex.

I can't believe the sudden drop in temperature. Winter is here!

 

I made this card as a sample for The Craft Barn shop. They are now selling

the Wild Rose Studio stamps, papers pads and dies.

 

She is called Girl With Christmas Presents.

 

I am doing an all day class on the 31st January, using the stamps and dies, at The Craft Barn.

I coloured her with Distress Inks, with plenty of Stickles

 on the parcels and the flower in her hair.

For the 'Fur' on her dress, I used Cosmic Shimmer White Glue,  sprinkled with a mixture, made  

from white Fun Flock and Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Sprinkles.

 

For the snow, I just used the CS glue and glitter.

 

I am at a big Craft Fair in Coolings Garden Centre, in Knockholt, Kent, on Saturday and Sunday.

All the stalls, only have hand made items.

 

I have been working every night until 2.30 am, to get my stock replenished from the last 3 markets.

I did 3 in 8 days and at the last of the 3, they nearly cleared me out of all my big items.

 

I am actually going to bed now, 01.30! Having an early night, as I have a friend coming for a hair cut in the morning.

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments.

They are all treasured.

 

Hugs,

Carol xx

Crafting For All Seasons Challenge 92

Hi everyone,

Our new challenge at Crafting for All Seasons starts today

and runs for the next 2 weeks.

 

The theme is 'Tis The Season'.

 

Our sponsor for this challenge is Inky Impressions.

The very generous prize is a $10 Gift Certificate.

You can view the gorgeous digis here.

 

 

I must firstly apologise for the poor quality of the photo. Today is very dark and wet, here in West Sussex. I did use my daylight lamp which helped a bit!

 

The image I chose is called 'Kissing Penguins'.

 

Mrs Penguin is the same black as Mr but looks grey in the picture!

 

I used Copics to colour them with and used Distress Inks as the background.

I printed the image twice, so I could 3D their clothes.
You can't really see it in the pics.
 



 

The Lampost is a Signature Die from Joanna sheen.

 

 

Plenty of Stickles used and for the snow, I used American Writer White Glue and

Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Sprinkles Glitter.

 

You must have plenty of Christmas cards you can enter the challenge with.

So get uploading and get a great free gift for Christmas!!

For inspiration, pop over to CFAS blog and see all the stunning cards,
made by my lovely teamies!

 

Looking forward to seeing your makes.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

Hugs,

 

Carol xx

The Snowman 's Got His Hat On!!

Hi Everyone,

Firstly, welcome to my new follower, Marie-Louise.

Thanks for taking the time to join me

and I hope you like what you see.

 

Just a very quick post, as I am busy restocking my makes, as I was nearly cleared out at a Fair last Saturday!

All my big boxes, some clocks, big butterflies and even cards!

Two weeks ago, I had 3 craft fairs in 8 days. Nightmare!!

 

I have until the 6th and 7th of December, when I have 2 days at one venue,

which is generally a very busy fair.

 

This card was supposed to be very CAS!! Then I spotted the lamp post, sitting on my desk. So I had to add that. Along with the clay snowflakes,

 that were supposed to go on a gift bag!

 

The stamp is Penguin Pals, from Lili of the Valley.

 

This image is so cute and gorgeous to colour. I used Distress Inks, as I wanted a textured appearance on the penguins. 

Well back to my desk. My glue gun has now heated up, so I can stick my flowers on a box.

 

I am entering my card into

Lili of the Valley challenge - Christmas

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Please leave a comment, so I know you have visited

and then I can return the compliment.

 

Hugs,

 

Carolxx

Crafting For All Seasons Challenge #90 - Birthdays

Hi everyone,

It's time for another challenge over at Crafting For All Seasons.

 

For the next 2 weeks, we would love to see your

cards, with the theme of.......

 

Birthdays!

 

It will make a change for you, to make a birthday card,

instead of all those Christmas ones!

 

Our sponsor for this challenge is

Limited Runs Stamps.

 

Three digi stamps are the prize.

 

 

I chose to use this image, as I had bought the stamp at Ally Pally in September

and I had not had chance to even ink it up!!

 

It is from The House of Zandra and she is called

Fabulous Girls 3.

She is a big stamp, 6" so great to colour.

 

I used the usual, Distress Inks to colour her with and she was stamped onto 300gms watercolour card. Sadly a bit too textured for me but it had to be used.

The backing paper is from my Tim Holtz Distress Ink Paper pad.

It hurt me to cut into it

but I thought she was worth it!!

 



The piece of jute, was a candy win from the lovely Marianne.

 



Don't forget to pop over to our blog and you will see some stunning cards

from my lovely teamies.

Sure to inspire you, as they are amazing.

 

Get those cards onto the blog, to be in with a chance to win three, FREE Digis.

 

Good Luck to you all.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Crafting For All Seasons - Challenge 89

Hi everyone,

Well it's time again for a new challenge at

Crafting For All Seasons.

 

The theme for this challenge is 'Tag It'.

 

Our amazing sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps.

Their stamps are incredible and I have spent hours trying to choose which I would use!

 

The prize for this challenge is 7, yes 7 Digi Images!!!

 

Check them out here.

 

 

This image is called 'Noel Birds'.

 

Great fun to colour, using Copics pens. Love the two fat Robins!

The 'O' I coloured with a gold pen and then covered it with Stickles.

 

The lights I coloured with Sakura Stardust pens and then topped them with Glossy Accents.

 

I also added some GA to the birds beaks.

 

For the Holly leaves I used an old die and added 3 gems for the berries.

The cone I have had in my stash for years!

 

Please make sure you pop over to the blog here and see all the amazing tags from my very talented teamies.

 

Then get making your entry and good luck.

 

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

 

 

Crafting For all Seasons Challenge #88

Hi everyone,

Today is the first day of the latest 2 week challenge, at Crafting For All Seasons.

 

The Sponsor for this challenge is The Paper Shelter.

The very generous prize, is a $20 Gift Certificate!

 

The theme for this Challenge is Buttons and Bows.

This gorgeous image is called Autumn Attitude, from The Paper Shelter.

I decided to colour her clothes, using Copics, in not very Autumn colours. I have coloured the leaves brown and gold. Also the backing paper and buttons, come into Autumn colour range.

She is very pretty and lovely to colour.

 

If you buy the Digi, you get one precoloured image, one without colour and

a coloured backing paper. Great value I think.

 



Get you cards linked up to the challenge here and you can see all my teamies stunning cards and then pop over to The Paper Shelter, here, to see what you could win!

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely and uplifting comments.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol xxx

 

 



Let It Snow Even More!!

Hi everyone and a special welcome to my new followers.

Please grab a coffee or tea, even better, a glass of something stronger! You might need it!

I am afraid this is a bit of a photo shoot, so I apologise in advance.

 

Firstly I have been bursting to tell you some news.

Are you sitting comfortably - then I will begin!

 

In a garden centre about 5 minutes from here, we had a Hobbycraft Store. Not a huge one but great if you wanted something quick. The big store is about a 25 minute drive, depending on the traffic, could be even longer. The staff were very friendly and one of them, I had known for a number of  years.

Hobbycraft, then out of the blue, decided to close it.

As a support to the staff and local crafters, who couldn't get to the big store, I decided to email the CEO. No mucking about, go straight to the top!

I didn't expect a reply and even stated this in my mail.

Well I got a reply, straight away!

 

I will cut it short now. The outcome was, the CEO, Catriona Marshall, asked to meet me for a chat.

We arranged a date and met up with her and a guy called Bruce Gibson. 

I explained, as in my email, that due to public transport here, that she had now cut off many people access to craft  products. People in the villages without cars, would find it impossible to get to the big store. Not just older people but Mums with young children too. Also, as I buy in bulk, canvases, boxes etc. if I didn't have a car, there was no way I could get there and back on public transport. It takes 2 buses and about 1 1/2 hours just to get there. Then the same home, fully loaded! It would also put the price up for my market sales and that is for the charity I support.

Our meeting lasted 2 hours and unfortunately, as she explained there was no choice, the store is closed.

It is a shame, but Catriona and Bruce were very nice and seemed to take on board my comments re the stores. One of them they agreed with and said it was already being gradually implemented in all stores.

 

I am still getting people moaning to me about the closure.

I have been very lucky, as they have made me their first public Discount Card holder. I was very chuffed and it will certainly help to offsetting petrol expenses.

Sadly, it doesn't help other people.

 

Right, now to the photo shoot! I bought this pack of letters at Ally Pally from the MDF man.

 

Sorry the first photo image is a bit p... sorry, wonky! Hubby was behind the door holding the cord!

 

 

At first I didn't know how to decorate them and then I had a moment!
You know, the wave comes over you!



I had bought some Decorators Caulk ( a type of wall filler) in Aldi, so I decided to apply it in waves like snow drifts. I let it dry overnight and then covered it with white acrylic paint.

The first snowman is an old Whiff Of Joy stamp and a favourite of mine. I love snowmen but they have to be special looking!

The snowflakes are a mix of different makes put together. Spellbinders and Marianne Creatables.

They have been glittered with Stickles, Star Dust. 

 

The snowman, as all of them, have been coloured with Distress Inks. Then glittered to look like snow, with Dries white Cosmic Shimmer glue and sprinkled with CS Iced Snow glitter. 
All bought from The Craft Barn

 



This snowman is a Lili Of The Valley stamp, called Seeds and Greetings.

 



Isn't he gorgeously cute?!

Another LOTV stamp called Penguin Friends.

Meet Mr Snowman, an old LOTV stamp and another old favourite!

 

Wakey Wakey!!! Are you still with me? It's over now and I promise my next post

will be short and sweet.

 

Have a lovely Sunday and thanks for stopping by and leaving me such gorgeous comments. They always make me smile and encourage me to keep crafting.

Challenge
Lili Of The Valley - Anything goes
 

Hugs,

Carolxxxx

Too Cute To Spook - Challenge 87

Hi Everyone, We have a new challenge at Crafting For All Seasons.

 

This #87 challenge is 'Too Cute Too Spook'!

Our Sponsor for this challenge is The Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet.

 

The prize you can win is, 3 images from the showcased creators.

Pop over to their website here and see the brilliant range of amazing digis you can choose from.

 

I chose 'Yo' as I think she is definitely too cute too spook!

 

I firstly created the background on my computer,

using the design program I have.

 

I printed Yo onto 300gm watercolour card and I used Distress Inks

to colour her with.

 

 I really enjoyed colouring her, adding turquoise hi-lights into her hair.

Great fun. Also giving her black finger nails!

 





 

I am sure you will agree, with those gorgeous eyes, she really is too cute to spook!

 

I am looking forward to seeing your amazing projects. So get creating and join in the fun here

 

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

 

Carolxx

Snowmen Will Melt Your Heart!

Hi everyone, a very quick post tonight as I want to get to bed before 2am for a change!

 

Just posting a couple of CAS cards, made using two of  LOTV latest Christmas stamps.

 

This first one I think is my favourite, at the moment!

 

 

All coloured with Distress Inks.

 

Both the snowmen are really cute. I do love snowmen,

but I am very fussy with how their faces look.

These both passed the test!



 

The snow was made with American Writer glue and

Cosmic Shimmer Iced Snow glitter.

I am back on Wednesday, with my next challenge card, for Crafting For All Seasons.

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving me you lovely comments.

 

Hugs,

Carol xx

Sleigh Bells Ring!

Hi to all my blogging friends. Well it definitely feels like Autumn is here.

It's really chilly at night now.

I have had a few mad days lately. On the way to the dentist the other day, I was behind a car going down a dual carriage way. Suddenly, thick white smoke came billowing out of his car.

I pulled back and then stopped, hoping the huge lorry behind me would stop too!

Out of the smoke, came the driver, waving his hands in the air. The smoke got thicker for a time and then stopped. When it cleared a bit, I drove by as I was going to be late for my appointment.

I had just turned into the road where my dentist was, changed gear and the pedal stayed on the floor! The clutch cylinder had gone! I walked the 300 yards to the dentist and phoned hubby on the way.

Anyway, our mechanic came out to me. Fiddled with the pedal and managed to repair it enough for me to get back to the garage.

I was so glad to get home in one piece!

 

I bought the template for the sleigh, at Sandown Park Craft Fair. It was from The House of Zandra. I had great fun making it. I wanted this first one to have a Victorian feel to it.

The images are from an old Victorian Christmas CD from Joanna Sheen.

Hate to think how long I have had it!

 

 

The picture below is the other side. The snowflake is made with dies from

The Craft Barn.

 



 

For the snow, I used Snow writer 3D glue and Cosmic Shimmer, Jewels Iced Snow glitter.

The wooden bunny is from Art Cuts.

I took the sleigh to a Craft Fair on Sunday and it sold in the first hour!

 

Check  out The House of Zandra for amazing templates, stamps and decoupage sheets. You won't be disappointed. I have made another of their new items and will post it next time.

 

Off to bed now, as I have an all day class at The Craft Barn today, at 10.30.

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments. It's like getting friendly hugs.

Hugs,

 

Carol xx