Time for Tea Reindeer

One of the ladies at my line dancing class asked me if I would make a card for her to give to her Daughter. I do like this kind of order as when asked what she wanted she said I don't mind what as I know it will be lovely. I bought a set of reindeer from Time for Tea. I think they are so cute and decided to create a scene for her card.

I coloured them with Copics and diecut white glitter card using the MFT forest border die, one of my most used Christmas dies. The sentiment is LOTV and I used two sets of dies with green glitter card for the trees.  As a change from snowflake dies I had a rummage through some Christmas embellishments and found these gorgeous cabuchons I bought at the Peterborough show.

We are having a very social week as yesterday we went out for a meal with friends and then went to the theatre to see A Circus Carol which is the story of a Christmas Carol but with acrobatics etc. Today we are going to a line dancing party as our teacher has a Thursday Morning absolute beginners class and we, the Beginners class (soon to be Improvers) and the Improvers class are all joining together. So this morning we shall be line dancing, some to Christmas music, and then enjoying a buffet at lunchtime.

Merry Christmas Graham

Finally back with a card, this one is my hubby's card.  I think I have only used this gorgeous stamp, Christmas song, once before, so I decided to use it for his card as he likes the LOTV cute images. I coloured them with Copics adding fun flock to her hat and diecutting it with an old Spellbinders Labels 10 die. The paper was a freebie with a mag which was sent to me as I featured in it as designer for the day. It was just the colour I wanted. I diecut the trees using Marianne and Doohickey dies and some glittery striped card.

The stickers were an absolute nightmare to attach. They were supposed to be self adhesive. I bought them in America and thought they suited the card and colours so well. I tried pva glue as that usually works on adding a little adhesive to self adhesive stickers. Then I wiped them dry once I saw that wouldn't work and tried ds tape. That partly worked. I ended up using 3d collal glue which I use for things like flowers and buttons. Even that wasn't working that well until I laid heavy punches on top of the stickers to let the glue set.

I wrote a poem inside as I often do and we exchanged cards last night and he loved it.

Exciting news

I decided it was time for something new as I have made changes to my crafting by doing less craft fairs, only belonging to the one DT, which is LOTV, and doing very little magazine work. When I saw a post on Facebook inviting applications to join the Design Team at Trimcraft I applied. I had previously thought of applying a couple of years ago but it was quite a commitment at the time and too much for me. This time they have expanded the team and their range of products and part of the application was to say what type of projects you are interested in making. They will then choose who to send new products to based on this information and if anyone chosen is too busy at the time then that isn’t a problem.

They had over 100 applicants and I was so surprised to be one of the lucky ones chosen. So I look forward to working with some of Trimcraft’s new products next year.

Festive weekend away

We have had a brilliant weekend away at Potters Resort. We arrived on Friday and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon. I had a manicure in the beauty salon then we gout ourselves ready for the evening meal and the show, Broadway and Beyond which is a celebration of many musicals. These shows are as good as a West End production. 

On Saturday we did two quizzes and then joined in a charity game. This was so much fun as the host is hilarious and it raised over £200 for charity. Amazingly we won! Then in the afternoon we joined in a line dancing class, played another game and then back to our hotel room to relax before getting ready for the evening for a lovely meal and the the Christmas show, panto and countdown. Another great night.

More fun this morning, then lunch and heading home. I will be back on here tomorrow with some exciting news.

I’m still here

I am still busy crafting but don’t have anything I can share with you at the moment. I haven’t had much time for cardmaking but have been busy sewing whilst watching TV in the evenings. I had a sudden order for a glasses case so that has been made. I am busy cross stitching something to make into my last Christmas card. I had a lovely afternoon in the craftroom making a commissioned card and Graham’s card. I will be sharing those next week.

Lots of odds and ends to do today and of course we will be voting. I am sure I will be checking my phone during the night when I wake up to see any results. 

Cocktail anyone?

I was asked by a friend to make 1 60th Birthday card. Knowing the lady in question I thought this image was perfect. She is from Pink Gem coloured with Copics. The paper is from a gorgeous new pack from Crafter's Companion, vintage lace. I used a MFT woky stitched rectangle, Creative Expressions sweethearts flowers, Joy flowers and leaves dies.  The glittery 60 I found in my scrapbook stash of alphabets and numbers.  Her Birthday was on Saturday so I can share the card with you now. 

Snowman bag

A friend asked me for three of these bags to give as presents with 2 jars of her homemade marmalade and chutney. I had 2 made so quickly made a third using a coloured simply print from LOTV. I used various snowflakes dies and my Hobbycraft tag die. The bags are quite sturdy and come in packs of 5 from Hobbycraft. I recently found some in there with coloured stars on each side too so bought some of those.

My last craft fair of the year today, just a small local one for 2 hours from 10-12 which will do nicely.

Snowy again

This is my last card for Crafts Beautiful this year.  

Image - Penny Black Snowy

Medium - Copics

Paper - First Edition Jolly Holidays

Dies - Marianne dune fence, Joy Christmas trees, Frantic Stamper tall pine trees

Sentiment - LOTV

Cross stitch and papercraft

There is a lady on Facebook called Durene Jones and every Friday she has a free cross stitch chart. I have a few of these and thought it would be fun to sew this reindeer on perforated paper and use it on my Mum's Christmas card. I gave it to her yesterday so can share it on here now as she looks at my blog every morning.  I am really happy with how it turned out.

I used some embossed card cut into hills and used glitter card for the diecut tree and layered snowflakes which are from MFT.  I kept the design quite simple with not too much colour to show off the reindeer. If you saw my cross stitch snowflake the other day then you will have noticed that was sewn on perforated paper. The trickiest part is the fussy cutting.

I am definitely going to try a few more cards like this next year, I have several cross stitch magazines so will be looking through them for more patterns.

Birdhouses

I have been working on several things I can't share yet but this is a quick card I made using lovely Mintay papes. All the main elements are from the paper pack, I simply added a wooden bird from Hobbycraft and some roses from Wild Orchid.

Graham kindly shared his cold with me so yesterday I was feeling rather poorly. Hopefully it won;t linger. There have been some horrible viruses but this seems to be just a common cold. Graham went to line dancing and Tesco on his own yesterday as I thought I should spend the day indoors. I wouldn't have had the energy for line dancing. 

Trying something new

One of my crafting friends has set up an Etsy store, Catkin and Lillie, selling cross stitch designs. As a newsletter subscriber I received a free pattern for a layered snowflake. It is stitched on 14 count perforated paper which I have never heard of before. It is really lovely to stitch on and I shall be using it for more projects. 

The trickiest part is cutting round the stitching but thankfully I have a pair of small scissors. It is one of the things you have to do a little at a time and taking your time. I layered each layer onto white felt and then of course had to cut round that. I used small foam pads to layer up my snowflake, stitched some thread through the top and it is ready for my tree. I will be buying the rest of the designs and making some to sell next year.

We are going out to the coast for Sunday lunch today as it is quite a while since we did that. Enjoy your day.

Love this quote

Had a brilliant day at yesterday’s craft fair, my best one so far this year. I made this for my craft fairs using one of my favourite Inkylicious stamps. I added cheesecloth, lace, some bark hearts, wooden embellishments, Prima butterfly, flowers from Wild Orchid and pearls. The lace butterfly I bought ages ago from somebody on Facebook. The lace is white so I toned it down with vintage photo distress ink.  I also added a little sparkle using a Spectrum Noir clear sparkle en on the flowers.

Having a fairly easy day today after yesterday's craft fair, getting ready for tomorrow's fair. Just one more small one next Saturday and that will be my lot until next March.

Christmas scene

I bought a few stamps last year from an online craft shop which was closing down. This is one of them from a company called Sleek Designs. I stamped it with brown ink into kraft and then added some snow using a Wink of Stella white sparkle pen. The embossed panel was one I saved from a Christmas card we received, I rarely keep anything from old Christmas cards but I thought this was worth recycling. The backing paper is from the Enchanted Christmas pack from Hobbycraft and I added some wooden snowflakes keeping the design simple.

Thankfully most craft fairs we do are only 4 or 5 hours but the one at the hospital is officially from 10-4.  However in order to park in the unloading area, get unloaded and then get a good parking space we get there about 7.30 so an early start today. Once we are set up of course staff are coming into work so we start selling well before 10.   Planning ahead we made a cottage pie last night whilst getting dinner so that just needs heating up when we get in and we only have to make some gravy to go with it as we make our cottage pie with lots of vegetables in it so no need for extra veg. Very little washing up either after a long day.

My brave knight

I am working on some special cards I can't share yet but I also needed some anniversary cards as I am completely out of stock and as I have two craft fairs this week I had a look through my coloured toppers. This is an old diecut from Lili of the Valley which is very cute I think. I used some old First Edition papers, Martha Stewart leaf punch, flowers and wooden hearts from Hobbycraft. I coloured the hearts with a Nuvo strawberry bonbon glitter pen.

One day soon when we have a dry day we must do the last of the tidying in the garden. There are still a few things flowering so we keep putting it off but it really needs doing and then that will be it until Springtime.  Unfortunately today isn’t the day as we woke up to rain. This afternoon I will be getting my stock ready for tomorrow's craft fair at the hospital.  I always do well there so hoping for good sales again.

In the forest

Yes still making Christmas cards even though I make them all year round I never seem to have enough to send. I still have a few left to make. I used a Hobby House topper for this one with some new enchanted Christmas paper I bought at Hobbycraft the other day. I wanted to create a forest scene so added some diecut trees and used a new toadstool die from Crafts Too which I bought at Peterborough show, I cut them from kraft then coloured the tops with Copics and added some white gel pen dots. The ivy is an old Memory Box one. I trimmed off a couple of bits to add to the other side from the main piece. I finished off with some pearl pen drops on the snow.

Christmas shopping is all finished. Need to start writing my cards today after line dancing and food shopping.  I like to leave wrapping presents until nearer Christmas. 

Polar bear

Over on our Facebook LOTV group we organised a card swap and this is the card I made for my swap partner which I can now share as she has received it. The stamp is called Polar and he is available now as a digi. I used Copics to add just a little colour to him and the snow and added some shabby blue frantage. The papers are Bo Bunny Winter wishes. I used various tree and Memory Box sitched snowflake dies along with a LOTV sentiment.

Another bag

This was one of the samples I made for my class last night, which went really well. I used DCWV burlap paper and added some lace. The sentiment is Dreamees and I used a set of Sizzix snowflake dies adding some wooden snowflakes and pearls. The matching tag was made using a Hobbycraft punch.

A day in the city today finishing our Christmas shopping.

Art Deco

Another quick card today, this time using an old Docrafts art deco pack. I sold out of Anniversary cards a while ago so trying to get a few quick ones made before the next craft fair. The papers and image are from the pack and I added some hearts, flowers from Wild Orchid and a Stamposaurus stamped sentiment.

Tonight I have my last cardmaking class before Christmas.  This time they will be either decorating a bag or making card, the choice is theirs as the design examples I have are square so will suit either and then after coffee and cake they will be making tags. 

Faithful friend

This is a really simple card but I really like the way it turned out. I fussy cut the dig from the Mintay Cozy Evening sheet and added it to one of the papers from the pack, then added a LOTV sentiment distressed with vintage photo distress ink and a heart from a pack from Hobbycraft.

Short and sweet scheduled post whilst Monday's dinner is cooking.

Time for a hedgie

I haven't used a Penny Black hedgie stamp for a while and decided to try colouring him with Copics on kraft for a change. I used a MFT wonky stitch rectangle, Memory Box stitched holly and Sue Wilson cut and lift poinsettia dies. The ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons and the papers are First Edition perfect Christmas.  The sentiment is LOTV.

Looking forward to my monthly facial and back massage today then line dancing tomorrow.  We learnt another new dance last week which was more complicated so have been practicing at home. 

Perfecting my design

I adapted this design from a magazine chart which was for a banner so it has taken some playing around to get it how I want it in a hoop. You may have seen the first one I did, and the cat one. On both of those I had to play around with the space for the bunting. However by starting at the end and working backwards and then redesigning the bunting I am now happier with the design. 

I have noticed cross stitch seems to be more popular again and I saw an advert for Cuddly Buddly with some cross stitch cards. MFT also do a cross stitch tag die.  I have several designs I want to try out having got some cross stitch magazines which were being given away and I have also found some lovely designs from a couple of small companies so watch this space.

Rudolph

The Christmas show on Thursday night was brilliant and we enjoyed an overnight stay at the nearby Premier Inn. Nice cooked breakfast yesterday morning and then food shopping before coming home, unpacking and getting stock ready for today's craft fair.

I made another gift bag, this one is ready for my class on Wednesday evening. They will be making bags and tags this time. It's my last class before Christmas and I must say I am really enjoying doing them and everyone who comes enjoys them too.

I used one of the old LOTV art sheet images but Rudolph is available as a digi stamp. I used various old papers and my Sue Wilson cut and lift poinsettia dies. I made a matching tag using my Hobbycraft tag punch.

I am hoping it stays dry today and we get lots of lovely customers.

Snowy is back again

I am so pleased I managed to buy this stamp as it is one I wanted for ages. It is of course Snowy from penny Black and I have used him a few times this year already. I coloured him with Copics and added fun flock to his hat. I used some papers I bought at the Peterborough show First Edition perfect Christmas. I love the snowman paper and gave it a vintage feel by using vintage photo distress ink and a distressing tool. I added a Sizzix diecut snowflake and an enamel dot, string and a charm and made some photo corners to finish it off. 

Looking forward to a Christmas show of That'll be the day tonight at the theatre. It feels a bit early for a Christmas show but I guess hat was the only date they could get and they started their Christmas tour this week.

An old favourite die

Another gift bag today using some old Papermania paper and a lovely die and matching embossing folder I haven't used for ages. It is from Tim Holtz and I bought it at a show many years ago. It really looks effective against the burlap and lace. I added some wide snowflake ribbon and made a matching tag.

Off to see my Mum today and exchange jigsaws. We both buy them and swap once we have done them. We keep a few but sell the majority of them, mainly on Facebook where I belong to a jigsaw puzzle selling group. We will also be going out for lunch.

The snowman needs a hat

I hope everyone is steering clear of cold and viruses. Some friends have had a really nasty sinus virus so we haven't seen them whilst they have been ill. I haven't had anything to show you for a few days as I have been busy making more tags and sewing. On Saturday I did my first craft fair of five this month. I did ok but not great and everyone said the same. There was a good footfall but not many buyers. Hoping for better this Saturday at the local high school, It is the first time I have done it but others do it every year and have told me it is very good so we shall see. 

On Sunday we went out for breakfast and then went to see some jigsaws a lady was selling. She was having a clearout and had 115 for sale originally, 49 when we got there. We bought 8 and started one when we got home. We love putting on some music and puzzling together and it is very good for the brain. I read a recent article backing this up by some research. With puzzling, crafting reading and line dancing I should be helping to stop dementia. There aren't enough hours in the day for all our hobbies!

So onto my card. I recently bought this new digi from Lili of the Valley as I love the Jack, Patch and Puss images. It was nice to get out my Copics and make a card having not made one for over a week. The papers are Your Next Stamp and trees were cut with Doohickey slender fir dies. I added some fun flock to the hat and used a Viva pearl pen on the snow and a white sparkle pen on the trees.  The sentiment is also LOTV.

I will be back tomorrow with another new make.

Yes, more tags

I am really pleased with the way these ones turn out. I decided to make some coloured tags for a change. The stamps and dies are Lawn Fawn coloured with Nuvo glitter pens. I used an old Little Claire sentiment stamp and doodled around the edges for a bit of added interest.

A day in the city today, dentist and haircut for hubby, Christmas shopping for me, meeting up for lunch.

The turn of the cat

Some of you may have seen the dog version of this which I posted last month. I made a cat one too and after being in Prima Rosa, the place where I sell some of my cards and gifts, for a couple of weeks the cat one sold so I have made another. These are a lovely gift in a 4" hoop.

I haven't made a card for a few days as I have been busy making tags and sewing. My head is so full of ideas of things to make that it is difficult to find the time to make them all. Thanks for your continued visits and apologies if I haven't been around to comment much.

More tags

Another set of tags today this time using a Lawn Fawn forest border die and Mama Elephant stamps. I fussy cut the snowmen and penguins and coloured with with a mix of Copics and Nuvo sparkle pens.  I am so pleased with my large tag punch from Hobbycraft as it is so much quicker than diecutting tags. 

Card-io tags

My first craft fair for November is next Saturday so I thought I should make some packs of tags. Today's tags were made using Card-io stamps.  The possibilities with these stamps are endless.

Another night out last night, this time for an Italian meal and a trip to the theatre to see a comedian, Josh Widdicombe. I have some ironing to start off with today then more crafting. How are your Christmas cards coming along? I make them all year but still have more to make. Enjoy your Sunday.

Christmas shopping

I have an order for a Christmas card for a 20 year old and immediately knew which image to use. Jasmine is perfect for that age group and is of course a LOTV stamp. I coloured her with Copics and used Bo Bunny Altitude papers. The sentiment is from LOTV and I diecut a snowflake from aqua glitter card. I also added fun flock to her boots.