Woodland Delights

Good morning all. 

Monday again...and only another three left for this year...EEK!! Gary leaves for New Zealand on the first Monday of next year and whilst I'm very excited for him I'm not looking forward to the day :(

Yesterday I went to the races for the company Christmas party...a first for me! We went to Kelso where the going was good and all seven races went off without mishap. Unfortunately my betting skills still need to be honed greatly and whilst I had a few seconds and thirds I won not a hapenny piece! We'd hired a members box for the afternoon and had a nice meal and a good view of the proceedings in the warm and dry....well dry on the outside, there was a fair bit of liquid flowing!!

Today's share was made for a card swap with the theme of "Woodland Delights".

I chose an image from Joanna Sheen's Thomas Kinkade CD and printed it on artists canvas, simply matted and layered onto cream pearlescent card, silver mirri card and added a red velvet ribbon which I think was recycled from last years crackers. The tree die was a freebie from a magazine.

Challenges entered:

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge - recycle

Craftyhands Challenge - winter theme

Jo's Scrap Shack - winter wonderland

Scrappin' 4 Fun - anything goes

Shelly's Images - welcome winter

Carol x

Noel

Good morning all, hope everyone is safe and well.

We seem to have missed the worst of the storm, it was very wet and windy first thing yesterday but by mid morning things had calmed down somewhat, thankfully.

It's been one of those weeks - three teenagers who went to the same school as my daughter were killed in a car accident locally last week, the first funeral was held yesterday with another today and the final one on Monday. It's so sad especially at this time of year and has been a huge shock to both pupils and staff at the school. My sister in law is also in hospital recovering from robotic surgery on Tuesday to remove a lump from one of her kidneys. We haven't been to see her yet as it's a 3/4 hour round trip and she hasn't really been up to seeing visitors yet.

I'm meeting myself coming back at the moment....still got loads to do for Christmas although all the shopping is done and mostly wrapped and the food is ordered. I bought some scarf kits from Crafter's Companion in their birthday week sale and need to get some of them made for pressies though!!

Today's share is a little box I've made for my brother using a tutorial found here.

I used two 12x12 sheets of paper from Papermania and the finished box is about four and a half inches square. I've decorated the box using co-ordinating card, ribbons, a bell and a poinsettia flower from my stash. The snowflake if from Asda and the little wooden Noel has been coloured with DI.

The finished boxes are quite strong, this one housing a paperweight.

Challenges entered:

CRAFT - Christmas

Delightful Challenges - you're a gem

Paper Crafting Journey - it's Christmas time

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge - Christmas

Sisterhood of Crafters - hand made

Holly Jolly - Christmas + blog hop

Ribbon Carousel - anything goes

All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card

Crafting from the Heart - anything goes

Lexi's Creations - Christmas

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #102

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Jacqueline designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Alota Rubber Stamps who supplied stamps for the DT to use.

I've chosen to turn the sketch this time and made my first gift bag of the season.  I still need several more as I have 3 sisters and a brother plus I'll probably make one for my niece and my Mum too. If I'm really good my sister in law may get one as well....don't hold your breath though!!

I was given Layering Flowers to use which I stamped onto vellum with DI embossing ink and heat embossed with gold detail EP before cutting out and colouring with promarkers. I added gold stickles to the centre after I'd layered them up. Papers are all from Papermania; the topper is a printed panel from Wild Rose Studio; embossing folder is from Cuttlebug; starburst and ivy corner dies are from Joanna Sheen; all other goodies are from my stash. I've had the large poinsettia for several years...it's way too big to use on a card but was perfect for this bag.

A close up of the sentiment embellishment...the sister heart is from East of India.

And a close up of the layered flowers...a bit too fiddly for my liking, I'd rather buy them ready made!!

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes
All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card
Craft-Dee BowZ - anything goes with a handmade bow
Crafty Bloggers - girly
Created with Love - Christmas
Lexi's Creations - Christmas
ABC Challenge - A for almost Christmas
Crafting Musketeers - layer it up
Dream Valley Challenges - anything but a card
Ribbon Girls - hohoho Christmas
Crimbo Crackers - anything but a card
LEJ Designs - Christmas
Our Daily Bread - double embossing
Ribbon Carousel - anything goes

Carol x

Christmas Card Club "Oh Christmas Tree"

Good morning all.

Had a very pleasant day out yesterday which included bumping into a very old school friend who I hadn't seen for some years although we do keep in touch with Christmas and Birthday cards.

It's time for our next challenge over at the Christmas Card Club, Dawn choose the theme this time "Oh Christmas Tree".  Here is my card:

I've used some more of my vast stock of Kanban foiled card, which I've put through an embossing folder along with a Kanban topper left over from a QVC Christmas POTD. The white card has been embossed with a Cuttlebug folder (I think!) and I've added twine to finish off.

You'll find the rest of the girls listed on my sidebar if you'd like to pop over and see their creations.

Challenges entered:

Christmas Card Challenges - no stamping

Little Claire's - Christmas

Bastel-traum - Christmas

Creatalicious - Christmas

Unstampabelles - Christmas

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Carol x

Guest Design Spot

Good morning all.
Still busy here trying to get organised plus I had a family funeral yesterday so nothing much else got done! I'm off to a Christmas Market today and hopefully we'll have Sunday lunch out too. I'm hoping to get some time to myself this week to pop around and catch up with you all...I am missing you!

I was very lucky (and honoured) to be chosen to Guest Design at The Joanna Sheen Challenge blog today. I've been a fan of Joanna's products for many years now...indeed a fair portion of my retirement income has been spent in her online shop!!

The challenge this time is to "Make it Sparkle" and this will be a month long challenge.

I've used this gorgeous House Mouse Decoupage image which I've die cut with a circle nestie and layered with a gold fancy circle - both from Spllbinders. I've added glamour dust and red stickles to the image to make it sparkle. The background layers are gold mirri card, red and green foil card which looks like glitter (had these for years and found them a few days ago when looking for something else!) and white pearl card which I've embossed with my tied together folder. Gold sparkly ribbon, a sentiment, gold brad and more stickles finish the card off.

And a view showing the layers.

Challenges entered: Craftyhands Challenge - sparkle and bling Totally Papercrafts - ho ho holiday Winter Wonderland - a Christmas mouse 4 Craft Chicks - Christmas Charismas Cardz - Christmas Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbon Crafting by Designs - Christmas/winter Rhedd and Rosie - Christmas Shopping our Stash - holiday/winter CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #66 Birthdays

Good morning all.
Sorry I'm being a particularly bad blogger at the moment! I've got the bulk of the wedding stationery out of the way but decided I needed to "sort" Christmas out...so last week I located all the bought stuff and sorted it all out before wrapping and labelling, then I've spent several days doing the rest of my shopping...for those harder to buy for people! I've been making gift bags and boxes in amongst all this activity and will get around to showing them soon but for now my computer time is limited or we won't get Christmas until February!! I need to sort my cards out next...catch up on the insert making and see whether I have enough specials yet.

Today it's time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is "Birthdays". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by Bugaboo and the DT were given images to use.

I've used Live Laugh Love Flower Fairy and die cut with a labels one die from Spellbinders and layered it onto the corresponding fancy label. Ribbon and gems from my stash. The colours haven't come out too well on this..I've printed in violet and the card and ribbon do match.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Come and Get it - anything goes with a digital stamp

Scribble and Scrap - anything goes

Paper Players - shaped card

The Squirrel and the Fox - use violet

Brown Sugar - anything goes

Delicious Doodles - no designer paper

Digitally Sweet - anything goes

Totally Papercrafts - add a bow

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #101

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Holiday Fairies to inspire you this week and Wilma K has designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by The Stamp Fairy.  There is a twist this week - "Photo Inspired".

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch and photo for yourself, remember to check out the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #100

Good morning all.
Managed to finish the wedding invites last week and got them delivered at the weekend when I went down home for the hen day....a day at Matfen Hall Spa followed by a meal once we arrived back home. A very relaxing day was had with a lovely lunch included. As we had an early start and late finish I spent two nights staying with my sister, hence I'm now trying to play catch up with house work, laundry and card making! Hopefully I'll catch up with everyone's blogs very soon.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Miranda designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Bugaboo who gave the DT images to use.

I've used Little Penguin Winter - winter bench, coloured with promarkers and highlighted with glamour dust. Dies are from Spellbinders, papers are from Dovecraft and sentiment, pearl and cobweb fibre are from my stash. This card was made in a hurry and as I was adding the glamour dust I realised the image was sideways on...luckily it's on small foam pads and lifted off without causing any damage!!

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:
Bearly Mine - traditional Christmas with red and green and die cuts
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas
Tuesday Throwdown - snowbirds
Created with Love - anything papercraft goes
There She Goes - winter fun
CHNC Extra - anything goes
Hiding in my Craftroom - diecuts
Little Claire's - Christmas
Bastel-Traum - Christmas
Christmas Cards all Year Round - winter wonderland

Carol x

Christmas Card Club - "Pretty in Pink"

Good morning all.

It's time for our next challenge over at the Christmas Card Club, I choose the theme this time "Pretty in Pink".  Here is my card:

The decoupage image is one I've had for several years now and came from Flowersoft. Dies are all Spellbinders. Ribbon, sentiment and gems are from my stash.

You'll find the rest of the girls listed on my sidebar if you'd like to pop over and see their creations.

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything goes

Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbon

ABC Christmas - winter wishes

Crafting by Designs - anything goes, twist Christmas

Divas by Design - something snowy

Bearly Mine - Christmas in pink

LEJ Designs - seasons greetings

Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #65 "Stitching - Real/Faux"

Good morning all.

Today it's time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is "Stitching - Real/Faux". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by The Paper Shelter and the DT were given images to work with.

I've used Enchanted Dream and printed out the combination image and backing paper several times so I could decoupage the image. The paper already had lots of faux stitching on it which was a bonus! To finish I've added a Signature banner die from Joanna Sheen then used the waste heart and a gem in the bottom corner. Stamped sentiment is from Wild Rose Studio.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - use kraft cardstock

Lady Anne's Challenge - more than one layer

Oh La La Creations - stitching

The Paper Girls - cut it out

Polka Doodles - celebrations

Carol x

Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #99

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Holiday Fairies to inspire you this week and Renata has designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Crealing.  

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Carol x

Happy Birthday

Good morning all and welcome to my newest followers. 

Another fine day here yesterday and the forecast is the same today although slightly cooler.

Another card to share today which I made a while ago but didn't have time to blog.

Using a Paintbox Poppets decoupage from Crafter's Companion which I've die cut with an oval nestie and layered onto a fancy nestie both from Spellbinders. Paper is from the Prima Botanicals collection. Card is simply finished with a stamped sentiment. Love the  vintage feel of this card.

Challenges entered:

Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes

Sugar Creek Hollow - anything vintage goes

Brown Sugar - anything goes

Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

Charisma Cardz - anything goes

Crafter's Cafe - friends

Crafting by Designs - anything goes

Carol x

Lest we Forget

Good morning all.

Another nice autumnal day here yesterday, we seem to be getting most of our rain through the night at the moment.

Sharing my current FB header today in remembrance of all those who've fallen in past conflicts. What a lovely programme last night from the Royal Albert Hall....I always end up in tears and last night was no exception! I did manage to cut out my next batch of wedding invites whilst it was on so today will be spent putting them together.

The kit was a freebie called Poppies which I found on the Daisytrail forum by a member called Bloggs and the layout was produced in Craft Artist.

The gravestone is that of my Great Uncle who died during WW1 and is buried in Sedan, France. The background is a general photo of the cemetery. My eldest took the photos last year on his way to Mongolia. 

Last night he gave me a pen drive with one of his friends photos from the trip on...so I've another 1000 or so to scrapbook now...don't think I'll ever finish this album!!

For the Fallen

Robert Laurence Binyon, by artist William Strang.

Poem by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), published in The Times newspaper on 21^st September 1914.

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

We will remember them.

Carol x

Merry Christmas (again)

Good morning all. Hope your weekend has started well. We've had gorgeous weather all week, I hope it lasts.

Another Christmas card to share today.

Using my Merry Christmas die again from Memory Box, this one was supposed to be straight but isn't quite! Backing card from Kanban. Snowflake die from Spellbinders. Reindeer is a magazine freebie...I thought it was a die but it is a stencil so I embossed it then cut it out. Gems and fibre from my stash.

Challenges entered:

A Creative Romance - winter blues

Brown Sugar - anything goes

Charisma Cards - anything goes

ABC Christmas - reindeer

CRAFT - Christmas

Ribbon Carousel - holidays and celebrations

CHNC Extra - anything goes

CHNC - outdoors

Carol x

Thanks

Good morning all.

I managed to get my wedding ring back on yesterday with a struggle...my finger is still sore where the sting went in but at least the swelling has now disappeared. Moral of the story....check the herbs before gripping them!! Managed to get the first batch of evening invites completed yesterday so only three more batches to do!!

A card I made for a swap to share today....I've a bank of cards stacked up that I just haven't had time to blog so this one was made over a month ago!

I've used one of the gorgeous Faerie Poppets decoupage images (which I keep forgetting to use!) and die cut with a nestie circle and added it to a scalloped mat both from Spellbinders. Backing paper is from Prima's Fairy Flora pad. Floral die of from Memory Box - I bought this die several months ago and this  was only it's second outing!!  Tag and ribbon are from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Crafting by Designs - anything goes

Penny's Paper-Crafty - lots of layers 

Papertake Weekly - anything goes

Party Time Tuesday - Thanksgiving/thanks

Shopping our Stash - thanks

Tuesday Throwdown - tag it

Craft-Dee Bowz - anything goes with a bow

House of Gilli - thanks

Scribble & Scrap - always anything goes

Crafting Muskateers - pretty pastels

Aud Sentiments - feminine

Carol x

Reflections

Good morning all.
Ouch!! I got more than I bargained for yesterday when I asked hubby to bring me in some rosemary to add to the risotto I was making for tea...I'm happily chopping away when I felt a stabbing pain in my wedding finger...I'd been stung by a wasp!! It was absolute agony and luckily I got my wedding ring off before my finger swelled up. It took several hours and a dose of antihistamines before the swelling went down and it's still sore today :(

A layout to share today using an unusual photo taken by the official photographer at my nephew's wedding earlier this year. The reflection is my sister, niece and her partner and the sunglasses belong my brother in law.

Created in Craft Artist using Believe in Love from Indigo Dreams and the photo mask for the November photo mask challenge at Gotta Pixel. The polka dot paper is from Peaches and Cream available at My Memories.

Challenges entered:

Creative Scrappers - #254 sketch

Lasting Memories - mirror image

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #98

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Janneke designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Robyn's Fetish and we have a twist again this week of "Use a Charm".

I've used Carl the Snowman, coloured with promarkers and highlighted with glamour dust and die cut with a Spellbinders oval die. Papers are from Bearly Mine's Christmas Wishes pack. Sentiment is from Pink Petticoat, charm. twine and gems are from my stash.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:
CHNC Extra - anything goes
Bearly Mine - anything goes
Oldie but a Goodie - add a charm (my charm is my oldie...I bought them for last year's cards!)
Through the Craft Room Door - anything goes
Card Mania - anything goes
Crafty Bloggers - Christmas
Deep Ocean challenge - winter

Carol x

Food for Thought

Good morning all.

We had a lovely autumnal day yesterday, very cold but dry and sunny. 

Decided to carry on making Christmas cards yesterday afternoon and got another couple sorted.

This one uses a House Mouse decoupaged image from Joanna Sheen. I've very simply matted and layered the image, using an embossing folder which came free in a magazine and some twine to embellish it. I must say the Christmas magazine freebies are mostly well worth having this year!

Challenges entered:

Joanna Sheen - food for thought

Flat Friends Challenge - Christmas Card

Christmas Card Challenges - dimension

Great Impressions - holiday card

The Squirrel and the Fox - animal antics

A Gem of a Challenge - Christmas is coming

Allsorts - Christmas cheer

Pumpkin Spice - something sweet

Inky Impressions - traditional Christmas

Jingle Belles - not a creature was stirring

CHNC Extra - anything goes

Carol x

Breathe the Colour

Good morning all. 

Another Monday....don't they come around quick! Only 9 weeks until eldest sets off on his travels again...so warn all your friends and relatives in New Zealand!! Off to the hairdresser's this morning for my monthly trim and colour then I suspect I'll have to do some food shopping if we want to eat this week.

A layout to share today.

Created in Craft Artist using Autumn Ridge from Mandy King. I love all the colours of leaves in autumn...nothing like walking on a dry sunny day kicking your way through all the fallen leaves!

Challenges entered:

Digitally Sweet - trees/leaves

Pumpkin Spice - foliage

Carol x

Christmas Card Club - "Religious Theme"

Good morning all.

It's time for our next challenge over at the Christmas Card Club, it was Christine's turn to choose the theme this time and she's asked us for "A Religious Theme".  Here is my card:

Decoupage image is from Joanna Sheen. Backing card is from Kanban. Die is from Spellbinders. Ribbon from my stash. I used to make all my cards this size but rarely do one now but I do like how this one has turned out.

You'll find the rest of the girls listed on my sidebar if you'd like to pop over and see their creations.

Challenges entered:
CHNC Extra - anything goes
Craftyhands Challenge - anything goes
Polkadoodles - anything Christmas goes
Scrapping4fun Challenges - Christmas
Aud Sentiments - Christmas sentiment
Moving along with the Times - no designer paper
My Heart Pieces - Christmas
Crafty Calendar - all things Christmas

Carol x