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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

The Cutest Bear On The Block!

Hi Everyone,

 

Surprise!! Two posts in one week! 

 

I have been really busy making things for the Craft Fair I am doing at the end of the month in Sevenoaks, Kent. Christmas gift boxes, with gifts inside, clocks, treasure boxes, Christmas door hangers and of course, loads of Christmas cards, to name but a few.

 

This card is using James the Bear from Lili Of The Valley. It was one from the latest release of their Christmas stamps.

 

I first sprayed the card blank  and the piece of card for the topper, with 'Tattered Angels' Gold Glimmer Mist, Mica Spray. I also stamped a bit of a snowflake in each corner, with gold Brilliance Ink.

 

The backing paper is from last year, so have no idea where I got it! I stamped James with the Christmas Tree, using Versafine Grey Ink Pad. I then coloured him with Distress Inks, my favourite product. For the fur on his hat and the snow on the tree, I used Americana Acrylic dimensional writer.  Whilst it was still wet, I added a mixture of fine Crystal glitter and white Flock, which gave it a fluffy feel.

 

 

The sentiment is a Hobby Arts stamp I bought from The Craft Barn. I stamped it with InigoBlu Flitter Glue and then applied gold Mega Flakes to the glue. I then matted this onto a piece of silk finish gold Mirri Board.

 

 

I cut out James, so I could 3D him onto the piece of card, alongside the sentiment. I used Pinflair Gel to do this and then added some Stickles to the star and the baubles.

 

I hope you like little James and if you do, you should visit LOTV for even more James the Bear stamps. I do have a couple more!!

 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

 

                          Papertake Weekly Challenge - Make it Sparkle

                          Creative Card Crew - Christmas

                          Crazy Hazel Nuts Christmas Challenge - Cut It Out

                          Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

                                     Crafty Hazel nuts Christmas Challenge2

Thanks for stopping by and please return again soon. If you are not a follower, then I would love it if you took the time to join me.

 

Big hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Beautiful Angel

Hi Everyone,

 

Just another quick post with my beautiful angel.

 

I bought this stamp a few weeks ago, on my last trip to The Craft Barn in their new building. They have an amazing selection of crafting goodies.

 

This stamp is Framed Angel, from Crafty Individuals. I have wanted her for ages and finally bought her. She is so pretty and makes a very quick card.

 

 

I stamped her with DI Chipped Sapphire, which I then dried with my heat gun. This enabled me to add some Antique Linen and Tattered Rose to her face without bleeding. I added some Stickles Star Dust to her head band and her wings.

 

As always of late, the photos do not do this gorgeous stamp justice.

 

I am off to Ally Pally on Sunday with a friend. Really looking forward to it, as I didn't get there in April. I will obviously make a bee line for the LOTV stand!

 

Thanks for stopping by and for leaving your lovely comments.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Dentist, Sainsbury and a Crafty Chat!!

Hi everyone, firstly I would like to welcome my newest follower, Annie from Australia. Maybe I will get to 50 followers by Christmas!!

 

I had to go to the Dentist today, which is about 12 miles away and from there I went to a bigger Sainsbury store, as we only have a small one where I live. I was hunting through the craft magazines and there was a lady doing the same. We started to chat about our craft hobbies and we ended up spending about half an hour chatting! She was really nice and although she was born here, she had spent may years in South Africa. Craft people are always nice peeps!

 

Just a quick post today, as I must get back to my desk. I spent yesterday painting all my new Lili of the Valley Christmas stamped images and I really want to play with them!

 

I used a LOTV fairy stamp for this card. I know she is not a Christmas stamp but I just covered the flowers in her hair with stars. It just shows how versatile their stamps are.

 

 

The sentiment stamp is a Jenny Mayes, Hobby Art, Christmas text sheet of stamps. They are a great selection and at a good price. I bought them from The Craft Barn in South Nutfield, Surrey. They stock an amazing selection of stamps.

 

I stamped the text with IndigoBlu Flitter Glue and applied Gilding Flakes. The Fairy was coloured with Distress Inks, Tattered Rose and Bundled Sage for her dress and wings. Her hair is Vintage Photo. All glittered up with Stickles.

 

The Holly leaves were cut with a Die from Dee's Distinctively. I can't remember where I got it from. It is a set of 8 Dies to make a wreath. The backing paper is from a pad left from last year.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and thank you for all your lovely comments you take the time to leave.

 

Right, I am now going back to my desk!! Oohh blast, I have to go and prepare dinner first!!

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

 

 

 

 

Gosh It's September!

Hi everyone,

 

September already! It was my birthday on Monday and 2 of my friends arrived on my doorstep, with an enormous bouquet of flowers and they then took me out to lunch! We went to a pub that has just been revamped and also had a name change. It was The Hedgehog Inn and is now, The Curious Pig In The Parlour!! Goodness knows where that came from! The food was still brilliant.

 

 

This post will be quite short, as I have just had my Trigger Finger injected and have to rest it as much as possible for the next 2-3 weeks! Yeah right, I will do my best as I want to get rid of it.

 

Firstly I must apologise for the standard of the photos. The light was rubbish this morning. This card is using one of the latest Christmas stamp releases from Lili Of The Valley. I love this one as they look a very happy snow family.

 

I coloured it with DI as I prefer to use them where I can.

The snowflakes are a mixture of dies, old and new.

 

The tag just slips behind the backing layer.

 

Right I will have to stop now as my finger is aching. I really need this now, as I had a good market last Saturday and need to replace my stock. I am not a very patient patient, when it is my hands!

 

I would like to enter this card into the Papertake Weekly Challenge.

 

Thanks for stopping by and welcome to my new followers. I do always love reading the comments and returning the same to your blogs.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx