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

A Change From Christmas!

Hi Everyone,

 

First of all I would like to welcome my new followers. Thank you so much for joining me, I am always thrilled to get another follower. I would love to get to 50 followers! Lol!

 

This is just a quick post, as I have to get up early in the morning and I have promised myself an early night. Well before 12.30 for a change.

 

Hope you all had a good weekend. My husband had taken a few days holiday from work and we took our Grand-daughter out for a day. We went to an animal park, a bit like a zoo but with other entertainment there too. We were absolutely shattered by the end of the day, but we all really enjoyed it.

 

This card is an order for a friend of mine, to give to a friend who is going to be 60. I don't like to put ages on the front of cards really. I prefer to put them on the insert.

 

The poppy image is an Indigo Blu stamp. I painted it with acrylic paints for a change. I do like the texture you get with acrylics.

 

I decided to make it a CAS card which I think suits this stamp. (My name isn't on the card!Hee hee)

 

 

Well it's now 10 minutes after mid-night so I am off to bed. I am not very good at early nights, as I usually will not be able to get to sleep. So I might as well have stayed up to 1.30, my usual time!

 

Thanks for stopping by and I will try to post again in a few days.

 

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

My Hand Drawn Card.

Hi Everyone,

 

This is just a quick post, using a drawing I did a couple of months ago. I haven't drawn anything for years, but just had the urge one day!

 

The idea of this one, is that you could put anything in the background that they could be looking at.

 

 

I coloured my image with a mixture of Copics and Pro markers. The original was a full A4 sketch, which I reduced on my printer to fit on an A5 card.

 

The first picture below is a bit blurred, so I added the next one, but it's not so close.

 

I would love to read your comments about this card and please be honest!!

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

                                      

         Through the Craftroom Door Challenge Blog - Anything Goes

           Papertake weekly challenge - Occasion-ally

 

Thanks for stopping by and please come back soon.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Christmas Angel

Hi everyone,

 

Well the sun is still shining, here in my little corner of West Sussex. I am now looking after my elderly (95 years old!) neighbours greenhouse. It's just watering the tomato and cucumber plants morning and night. The trouble is the tap is quite a walk from the greenhouse and the watering cans are quite heavy. My knee is feeling it a bit, as I am not supposed to carry very heavy items yet.

 

This is another new Angel stamp from Lili Of The Valley. I know! I admit it! I am an addict to LOTV stamps! I am sure you can understand why. They are beautiful.

 

The backing paper I made with my Grand-daughter, using Shaving Foam and Alcohol Inks. She thought it was great fun and produced some lovely papers. I am sure she pinched a few of mine!Lol!

 

I just stamped a few snowflakes over the top. I made the card blank into an easel card.

 

I glued a piece of lace from my stash across the middle of the paper. The angel stamp is Christmas Prayer and is from the latest release. The sentiment stamp is from Hobby Art Stamps.

 

I must tell you that LOTV are on Create and Craft on Thursday 29th August at 12 noon and 4pm. I can't forget that as it's my husband's birthday.

 

I coloured the image with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink for her dress, a very light wash of Broken China on her wings, Antique Linen for her hair and skin, with Tattered Rose for her cheeks. Oh and peeled paint for the Holly leaves. All topped with Stickles Star Dust.

 

 

The silk flowers I have had for years. About 23-24 years! Well you never know when you will want things. The white Poinsettias I coloured very lightly, with a pale wash of Victorian Velvet DI, just to the centre of the petals. With a touch of Stickles on as well.

 

I am now going to have to make a box to put it in as it won't go in an envelope.

 

I am going to put this card into Lili's Little Fairies Thursday challenge. This week it is Christmas in August. Pop over, have a look and join in.

I have also entered it into The Hobby House blog challenge - Christmas.
                       Also into Deep Ocean Challenge Blog - Christmas 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Christmas Is Coming!

Hi Everyone, Another muggy, showery day here in West Sussex. I hung out the washing in the sunshine and half an hour later, it's pouring down! I got soaked getting it off the line and then had to put it into the drier. What a waste of crafting time!

 

Well that is my rant for the day.

 

Firstly, I must thank everyone for their kind messages regarding my Mother-in-law and her passing. All the people in blogland are so kind and it must be the best and biggest family network.

 

I made this card, using a stamp from the first Lili of the Valley Christmas stamp release. I had so many requests from customers last year for Angel cards, that I just had to buy 2 of them in this release. This is Holy Light.

 

She is just gorgeous, as I am sure you will agree. She is so easy to colour, not too fiddly. I used my favourite Distress Inks. I used Stickles on the wings, her dress and the wreath and added extra ultra fine glitter on top. I used dries white glue and glitter for the snow.

 

I then made the backing paper from plain white paper. Firstly I mixed some white detail embossing powder with some ultra fine glitter, just slightly more EP than glitter. I then randomly stamped the snowflake with Versamark Watermark Ink and then heat embossed it with my powder mix. Then using Chipped Sapphire DI and a piece of Dry Foam, I applied it around the edges and randomly over the paper. I then randomly stamped the snowflake using Chipped Sapphire. (A very 'random' card!)

 

I cut an A5 card into a stepper, using my die cut as the guide for the size.

 

I cut the Flourish from Mirri Board, using a Marianne Creatables die. The Snowflakes are also a Marianne set of dies, cut from glitter board.

 

I am going to finish my other LOTV angel card hopefully today. You never know I might post twice this week! Please don't hold your breath though!

 

 

I have plenty of pics to post but never seem to find the time. Even now I have just had to run out to the garage to get the washing out of the tumble drier. The rain just missed me this time! I still haven't washed the bathroom and kitchen floors yet and it's 4.30pm. I don't know where the time has gone today.

 

This is a first for me now, as I am going to enter this card into 3 challenges!

 

http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk   - Here Come The Girls

http://ideastoinspire.blogspot.co.uk/p/challenge.html - Make It Festive

http://sarahhurleychallenges.blogspot.co.uk - Texture and Dimension

 

Thank you for stopping and leaving your amazing messages. They really mean so much to me.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

 

 

Christmas in July.

Hi everyone, Sorry it's a while since posting. I have been busy making things but other things have got in the way of posting.

 

On Wednesday I had a call from my brother-in-law in Australia, letting us know that Mother was in her last days of life. Today he phoned to say she had passed away in her sleep. I then had to call my husband at work to give him the news. Not the easiest call I have had to make. It was for the best, as she was 90 and had dementure, so she had no quality of life. Even so, a sad situation when you live so far away. My husband hadn't seen his mother for about 25 years.

 

Early on in our relationship we were saving to go for a holiday to see her and his brother but I was then made redundant. All our savings had to go to keep the roof over our heads. It was 6 months before I got another job and was then made redundant again 6 months later! Four days later my husband was made redundant too! Over the next 5 years, my husband was made redundant twice, and one time was out of work for a year. I was made redundant 7 times in 5 years! Needless to say we never had the money to go. We also had my daughter at University throughout this time! That's what you get for working at Gatwick Airport!

 

Never mind, there is nothing we can do about it now. That's life!

 

This is a Lili of The Valley stamp I used a lot last year. I had so many requests for angel cards last year, so I have just ordered the new releases from LOTV yesterday.

 

I stamped a piece of white card with a snowflake stamp, that was free last year with a magazine and embossed with white embossing powder. I then applied Tattered Rose Distress Ink, using a piece of Dry Foam around the edges of the card and over the area where the snowflakes are. I then added a clear gem to the centre of each snowflake.



 

I wrapped a piece of pink ribbon around the bottom of the card and added the bow. Topped it with a sentiment stamp.

 

I stamped the image with grey Versafine ink and coloured her dress with Tattered Rose DI and her hair with Scattered Straw DI. On the berries I used a Sakura Stardust Red Pen. I added some T. Rose DI around the edge of the die cut edges and also on the bigger layer of the die.

I hope you like my angel card and don't forget to check out the Lili of the Valley shop, to see and buy the new Christmas stamp releases.

 

I am off to bed early tonight, as I had my grand-daughter today and I am worn out. We played with shaving foam and Alcohol Inks. She loved it and we made loads of backing papers for my stash. We have my Grandson's 3rd birthday party tomorrow, so hope it doesn't rain.

 

I am going to enter this card into the LOTV Challenge, which is something pink. Check out their site for the rules.

 

I am also going to enter it into Lili's Little Fairies Thursday Challenge, which this week is 'Monochrome'.

 

Thank you for visiting my blog, leaving your lovely comments and please come back soon.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx