Feeling Old

At the start of October my big brother will be sixty five and he’s decided to take retirement.

He made the decision to pack up this year after the firm he works for moved premises, which changed his five minute commute to a forty-five minute one on a day  (which are few and far between) and up to an hour and twenty minutes on a bad one, which turned out to be most days.

I  am pleased for him because he really hates all the extra time spent traveling but the thought that he's retiring makes me realize that we are the older generation now, which is not a nice thought. But then again, there’s nine years between us and I’m still the ‘baby’ of the family really so I guess I shouldn’t let it get to me too much…….not yet, anyway!

So, with his birthday and retirement in mind I need to make two card for him and there’s also the possibility that my other brother will ask me to do the same for him too, so this morning I thought I’d get a head of the game, just in case.

For my starting point I decided to use this template from the Here Come The Boys  challenge.

I thought I would go with a vintage feel and have used up lots of my old stash, some of which has been hanging around since I started making cards seven years ago, like the lovely old car.
That was a sheet from a book of Heritage Vellums by Hot Off The Press.

Other old stash includes the papers that are from the DCWV 'The Natural Stack', the tiny brads and the three buttons which I've given a makeover to by colouring them with Promarkers.


I’m entering this into the following challenges:-

Hooked On Craft– Cards for men

Kaboodle Doodles – Tribute to Someone Older 

I actually love the sketch so much that I made another birthday card using it but I can’t link this one to any of the above challenges because it doesn’t fit the brief, but I just wanted to share it with you.

For this one I’ve used a scrap of old ‘In the Meadow’ paper from Daisy Bucket and combined it with some of the new Craftworks Cards Distressed Pad and also a greeting and some paper from their Sweet Pea Collection.


Thanks for stopping by and ..............

Happy Crafting!

Sue
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WOYWW #169 - I’m in Stitches!

It’s time for the Wednesday Desk reveal and as Julia tries to keep her stalkers, sorry, I mean followers in line over at The Stamping Ground, I’ve taken a photo of my desk this morning and it’s looking very different.

As you can see, I’ve been sorting out some threads for my latest cross stitch project and my table is covered with threads, colour charts and some pieces that are already stitched and ready to be stitched together.

When I saw this Advent Wall Hanging in a copy of Cross Stitcher I decided that it was

something I would like to stitch for one of the Kids Company Centres that I help stitch the cushions for, but if the truth be known, that was probably more than two years ago and I only managed to stitch about two of the little squares before having the trouble with my eyes, so it was put in a bag at the bottom of one of the cupboards in my craft room and forgotten about for a while.

I always fully intended to finish it, but when I pulled the bag out a week or so ago I discovered that the chart wasn’t with the stitching I’d already done and I couldn’t find it anywhere.

Luckily eBay came up trumps though and I managed to find a copy of the magazine, so yesterday I started sorting out some more threads to use.

The nice thing about the project is that everything I’m using has been donated.

All the threads you can see are either from the enormous gift from Sew and So  or my lovely friend Nicki in Switzerland and the fabric I’m using was given to me be my equally lovely friend Lythan.
The only thing I might have to buy is the beads and fine ribbon I will need but I’ll have a look in my own stash first to see if I have anything before I go out shopping.

Thanks for stopping by this week.

I’m off to make a coffee now and then I'll settle down for a spot of desk hopping to see what you’re up to, via The Stamping Ground,

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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On A Roll!

Well I’ve definitely taken up the challenge and am on a roll, so here’s another card in the same shades of Blue for the Creative Craft Challenges 2 and Tuesday Throwdown challenges.



I’ve used another stamp that was free with Craft Stamper, embossed the image with clear embossing powder and added some flat backed pearls that I’ve coloured with Promarkers.

Happy Crafting!
Sue
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Very pleased to say my card was the randon picked winner of the challenge.....Yah!

Monochromatic - Hip to be Square

I always find monochromatic cards a bit of a challenge so when I saw that  Creative Craft Challenges 2  had that as their theme this week I just had to give it a go.

Here’s what I came up with:-

It was simply water coloured squares that were matted on Blue card. I've then stamped and embossed the flowers (Free Craft Stamper stamp) and mounted them on 3D foam over the top.
It's finished off with a Craftworks Cards greeting in the centre.

I'm also linking  this card to  Tuseday Throwdown - where the theme is 'Hip to be Square'

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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You Have To Be In It To Win It.

Never a truer statement has ever been made!

While I was doing my evening check on the blogs I follow last night I came upon Bev’s blog, All The Things I Love and noticed that Lili Of The Valley were holding a blog hop with two of the most amazing prizes up for grabs.

To celebrate the launch of their four new sheets of Christmas Sentiment stamps ( £50) and ten new Christmas Animal stamps (£45) they had devised a blog hop around the DT with a set of each up for grabs.

So armed with a cup of coffee and a chocolate digestive, I settled at my computer and spent the next 45 mins hopping around each of the design teams blogs and Oooo’d and Awwww’d over all the beautiful creations and thinking that with so many people also lusting for the new stamps I wouldn’t stand a chance in hell of winning one of the sets.

Well, she of little faith…………….

I arrived home this afternoon after a shopping trip with my friend Susan to be greeted to the news that I had been one of the two lucky winners and will be receiving the set of ten Christmas Animal stamps any day now…….how wonderful is that!

I’m still in disbelief and can’t thank LOTV, the design team and especially Bev enough for the fun blog hop and for the wonderful and very generous prize……….I just hope I can do them justice.


Thanks again and…….

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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Tee Time! - WOYWW #168 (but on Tuesday)

Good Evening blog hoppers.

The Stamping Ground will be  ready and waiting for visitors from all around the world to drop in tomorrow and reveal what’s on their desks this week and Julia will standing by to keep us all in order, so without further ado, here’s what was on my desk today, because I'm out tomorrow.

As you can see I was mid-way through making a card, one of six that needed to go in the post tonight, so out are my Promarkers, Distress Inks, MME papers from the 12 x 12 Complete Boy Stack and  you’ll probably notice that I’ve still not put the ribbons and lace away that I brought a week or so ago because it’s still sitting in the bag at the back of the table. Mind you, the fact that it’s there means that I’ve already used quite a bit of it and will have to get myself some more very soon……..any old excuse, Lol!

Also out is this card sketch from the latest challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Anyway, here’s the finished card, which I’m submitting for their challenge.

The image is a free clip art that I found on the web.

That’s about it really, oh  but before I go,  I might just have a little confession to make.

I don’t often buy from QVC but I did succumb a little bit this afternoon and might just have some Craftworks Cards stash heading to my craft room very soon……..Hurry up postie!

So I hope you all have a wonderful and creative week ahead.


Happy Crafting!

Sue
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Love Birds

I had to make a couple of Anniversary cards today and just happened to have a Kanban sheet of Anniversary toppers that features two pretty birdies sitting a branch, so it fits in with the latest challenge over at the  Crafty Boots Challenge Blog.



I’ve decoupaged the layers and decorated with ribbon, buttons, gems and Stickles.

I've never used Kanban products before other than their Acrylic stamps and was really suprised at the quality of the sheet.  Nice thick card and beautiful foiling too, so I'll definitly be using their stuff again.


I'm also linking my card to the following challenge blogs:-

Really Reasonable Ribbon - Purple Pizazz and Ribbon.
and

The Poodle Parlour - Let’s see those die cuts

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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Out of my Comfort Zone…………..BIG TIME!

When I was lucky enough to win the fab blog candy that Trish had up for grabs recently I was really panicking about what I had gotten myself into.

Getting myself messy with paint seriously isn’t my thing and the nearest I’ve come to Acrylics was way back in 2008 when I had a go at a chipboard cover for some glass slides I had painted.


Still, I did win this fabulous prize and I was determined to give it a go, so yesterday afternoon I sat myself in front of my computer screen and watched the DVD from start to finish.




It has step by step instructions for three amazing projects as well as a glimpse of some for Trish’s favorite pieces that she’s made and it was very inspiring to say the least, so no sooner than it had finished, I was at my table with canvas, paints and stamps at the ready.


Who would have thought that ‘slapping’ some paint onto a canvas could be so scary, Lol!

But two hours (and very messy hands) later I had this little creation in front of me.

I can’t take credit for the design really because I was following Trish’s direction on the DVD but the stamp I’ve used is different and comes from The Artistic Stampers Twenties Plate, so it’s not a down and out copy of her work.

I might have overdone the amount of paint I’ve put on it, as it looks rather thick to me, so maybe I should have sponged it on rather than use my fingers first time round but I’m still quite happy with it I think.


You should really go have a look over at Ink, Paint, Beads and see Trish’s creations for yourself because they are all amazing.

Thanks again Trish for the fab prize and for adding another string to my crafting bow.

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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WOYWW #167 - Just Monkeying Around

So here we are, Wednesday again and before I show you what’s on my desk this week I just want to apologize for not getting around to as many desks as I usually do last week.

I always make a point of returning a visit if someone visits me and also usually visit everyone who’s number ends the same as mine but last week I was plagued with eye troubles again and had to say away from the computer. I actually ended back up at Moorefield’s A & E on Thursday and the outcome of that is that I need some Laser treatment on the eye I had the detached retina in.


I did still manage a little crafting this week though and my desk is as it was left last night.

Most prominent on my desk is the card I’m in the middle of making.

It’s an easel card for a sixteen year old in shades of Pink and Brown and I’ve used two digi images that I’ve used loads of times and never grow tired of.


Also on the table are a couple of Marianne dies that I brought yesterday and a new Martha Stewart punch that just happened to jump into my basket as I was walking round. I wouldn’t mind, I only went out to buy some Pink and Brown papers, Lol!

There’s also a cute little guy trying to sneak in on the fun, can you see him?

This cheeky little chappie is one of six that I’ve stitched for the Kids Company project that I’m involved with and they are sitting on my desk waiting to be sent out to Switzerland for Nicki to make into the cushions.

You can see more of him and his five little mates getting up to all sorts of mischief over at  I’d Rather Be Stitchin’.

Don’t forget to stop by  The Stamping Ground  and add your name to list if you want to join in with this weekly desk hop and hopefully I’ll make it round to see a few more of you this week with a bit of luck, so until then.............

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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WOYWW #166 - Now you see me…….Now you don’t!

That’s exactly what it’s been like for me over the last few weeks. One week I manage to hop around the desks of the world for What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday, and the next week I don’t make it, as happened last week, but I guess that’s the way it goes sometimes.

An added distraction to my crafting time of late has been the coverage of the Olympics and I’m ashamed to say that I’ve spent way too much time in front of the TV cheering on team GB, but haven’t they done well!

The support for the athletes has been phenomenal. Add to that the nail biting finishes we’ve witnessed, the elation of the winners and the total devastation felt by those who didn’t achieve what they had hoped for, it’s been such an emotional rollercoaster.
I’m so proud of our team because they have most definitely put the ‘Great’ back into Britain and it’s not over yet, we still have four more days and the Paralympics as well……..I can’t wait!


So, as I said, I’ve been distracted a lot this week so there’s not very much to show you on my desk except for the usual mess that I seem to always work in.

It’s scary to think that my brother reaches retirement age in October and it’s starting to hit home that we are the ‘older’ generation, now that my mum and dad are gone and most of my aunts and uncles too.

We are planning a little family get together and I’ve been making a few invitations for him to take in to his work mates, so it was out with the old Promarkers and a digi stamp that came from Mo’s Digtial Pencil, my favourite digital stamp shop.

I promise you that the writing on them isn’t all smudged as it appears in the picture. I had to take precautions because I as much as I would have loved for you to all turn up on the day to join us I don’t think my brother’s house would hold everybody, Lol.

Oh, and before I go, can I just thank Trish again.
I am the very lucky winner of the fab candy that she offered last month
which you can see Here            Thanks again Trish.

So, that’s it for another week.
I’ll be calling in later to see what you’re all up to, so get the kettle on……It’s Black Coffee, No sugar for me!

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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What a Suprise!

Yes, I’ve discovered a wonderful surprise this morning when checking my blog.


Back at the start of July I entered my name into the draw that Trish, over at Ink, Paint, Beads was doing for this little lot and guess what……I won!

It’s certainly going to present a big learning curve for me because I’ve never really dabbled in paints very much, just on the odd occasion when at a class may be, so it will be something completely new for me try.

I’m not expecting to turn out anything as wonderful as Trish’s works of art but I’m really looking forward to giving it a go, so thanks so much Trish for the opportunity to learn all about this medium from your DVD.

I shall be watching the post box in eager anticipation now!

Thanks again Trish.

Happy Crafting!

Sue

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