Wishing you a brave New Year

Just wanted to blog today to wish all my readers a very happy, health and brave New Year. I hope to be brave next year - don't forget I have my balloon ride to experience when the weather is right.

Funky and partners are ready for the festivities tonight are you?

Busy, busy, busy

Hello everyone in blog land. How have you all been? I've been so busy over these past few weeks that I haven't had time to update my blog. I have made loads of Christmas cards and other projects but forgotten to photograph them.

I did however remember to take a picture of these place settings name cards for a teacher at school just before we broke up. She wanted something very simple - so she asked me - hahaha. This is what I came up with.White card and gold gel pen. Simple.

Thanks for looking.

Lost and Found Chipboard

Isn't it amazing when you have a tidy up and find things you didn't know you had lost? haha

I didn't realise I had so much chipboard and in so many wonderful designs. Thought I would use some one this card for my neice who's birthday it was on Friday.

I've included two photos as one shows the background better than the other. The background has been sprayed with ink by Sticky Fingers and then put through a cuttlebug embossing folder. The chipboard paisley shapes were purchased through Bubbly Funk but I can't remember the company name - it was a year or two ago tee hee. The chipboard I inked with Distress Inks and I think they look like suede when you ink them or is that just me?

Thanks for stopping by and having a look at my makings.

When you wish upon a star ......

For the challenge of "fairytales" over on the Bubbly Scrumptious blog I have used an image of Tinkerbell from Peter Pan that I printed from the internet.



I have cut her out and used Stickles on her clothes, shoes and wings. Wish I had a green glittery dress like hers but maybe not that short - haha - I don't have her good legs lol.

Thanks for looking.

On the first day of Christmas my true love ....

Well actually I missed blogging on the 1st December so the title isn't quite true but never mind. lol

I thought I would show you my paper advent calendar I made for a challenge over on the Bubbly
Scrumptious blog. I have made two advent calendar for my children - well they have a little gift each day to open ranging from chocolate to novelties. Then I did a secret santa advent on the Bubbly Funk forum which was all craft products so I thought I would turn my hand to a traditional picture advent calendar. Also means my husband can open a calendar - I don't want him getting upset that he hasn't anything to open each day. hahaha
The papers are all Basic Grey and they are edged with Fired Brick Distress Ink and numbered with a black glossy Sakura pen.

Thanks for stopping by for a little look.

- x -

An award from Janice

I have received an award from the very talent Janice. I am so pleased to be given this award by someone who is extremely creative and I don't think there is a craft that she hasn't tried? Go over to her two blogs and see what's cooking and being created. Right the rules of this award are that I have to share 5 facts about myself and then pass the award to 7 other deserving people so that we can find out a little about them as well.

My facts:-
I prefer to visit the dentist rather than the hairdressers.
I enjoy my own company.
I would love to live on a farm.
Crowds scare me.
I am going cheerleading tomorrow.

I would love to pass this award onto Kaz Hippy Karen Dolly Hope to find out more about you all.

Happy Birthday

Well it was last Wednesday actually but this has been the first opportunity I have had to update my blog.

I am now 47 years old but still act about 7 sometimes lol. Well the first photo I want to share with you was taken by my daughter when I got home from work hence the wind swept hair and the expression.
I received all these cards and you can just see in the front of the photo my ticket for my balloon ride experience - I can't wait to do this hopefully early in the new year! This was my present from my two wonderful kids and my lovely husband. x x x

I have taken some photos of my handmade cards so you can have a proper nosy at them here.


Aren't they lovely and some are even hand-drawn.
Thank you all for making 2009 the best birthday ever.

Only the crumbliest flakiest chocolate ..........

Kaz asked yesterday whether I was up-to-date with the 52Q challenge set by Emily over on her glorious blog - well the answer is no. I am still at least 7 weeks behind but I will keep going even if it takes me into next year. :)

So today I would like to show you Question 38. Doughnut image from Elle Magazine - think it was from an advert in there - I can't remember but it looks scrummy nevertheless. The wrapper on the back is empty I'm afraid but it was very chocolately and a lovely treat. :)

Thanks for stopping by. x x x

Come on Baby Light my (creative) fire!

Number 37 of my 52Q is here
I try to blog hop everyday and really enjoy seeing what you all come up with. You make my world sing - all of you - thanks very much. x x

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Thought you had better have a look at this before. I have so many projects on the go that the desk is heaving with bits and pieces
and I can't find anything. I will clear up I promise - the shame is not a good feeling. Haha.

Nellie the Elephant packed her trunk ...

They are good for remembering things so the saying goes doesn't it? Well I have included one on my 52Q tag I would like to show you today.

Number 36 "What do you never want to forget?". Now I thought I could be serious and journal serious issues on this tag but I thought I would be honest right now and the thing I want to remember at the moment is my 8 times table. Everyday in the class I assist in we have a mental maths test with 30 questions a day. It is always the 8 x table that isn't on the tip of my tongue and makes me slow so hence the card. hahaha I do realise that at 46 years old I should know this off by heart but I'm afraid I don't! **cough, cough**

Another Award?

I have received another award wow thank you Tracy aka Queenie I am really honoured you have given me this award.

Now the rules of this award are to thank the person for the award and pass it on to at least 7 people who deserve it and then list 10 honest things about myself ...

My honest answers are,

1) I say "hello" to every magpie that I see even if there are five of them together.
2) I have only had one boyfriend and I married him. I have now been happily married for 20 years.
3) I am proud to be British.
4) I love to laugh and think a day without laughter is a bad day.
5) I am not a religious person.
6) I really shouldn't spend so much time on the internet each day but get on with life.
7) I love eating but hate cooking.
8) I will be 47 in nine days time.
9) I love to give presents rather than receive them.
10) I think manners are extremely important.

I would like to pass this award onto Carol, Karen, Janice, Kaz, Rosie, Tracy and Joanne you all have fantastic blogs and I don't think you have received this award before but you certainly deserve it. Go and visit them for lots and lots of loveliness.

Go Wild in the Country .....

I have completed the Bubbly Scrumptious Challenge this week a day after it was set - wow - that is unheard of for me. :)

The Challenge is:- This week we are going WILD...grrrr hahaha as in

WILD ANIMALS!!!

By this we mean that we would like you to use an image of a wild animal in your work this week.

So that is what I have done. The wording inside will read "you're one of a kind". The stamps are by Prima and I have used off cuts of Bazzill card and the odd one out dinosaur is that velvety paper again.

Why don't you see if you can have a go at this challenge before next Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by. x

Award

I have received my second award this one is from Gez who is a brilliant crafter and friend. If you haven't looked at her blog before please go and have a look you won't be disappointed. Right on accepting this blog I have to answer the following questions right brace yourself this could be a long read. haha.

1. Where is your cell phone? On my bedside table.

2. Your hair? Roughly tied up in a high ponytail as earlier I was out in the garden sweeping leaves.

3. Your mother? Spoke to her this morning. :)

4. Your father? Poorly with swine flu and a chest infection at the moment Get Well Soon Dad x x.

5. Your favourite food? Ice-cream

6. Your dream last night? Can't remember last nights' but one from two nights ago was that I was flying with the aid of rich tea biscuits!!

7. Your favourite drink? Tea

8. Your dream/goal? To fly in a hot air balloon.

9. What room are you in? My bedroom.

10. Your hobby? Crafting all varieties.

11. Your fear? Disembodied eyes you know where you only see one eye like in a logo or something similar. Also have a horse and clown fear - shudder!!!

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Living in a bigger house in a different part of the country not too far from the sea.

13. Where were you last night? At home with my family.

14. Something that you aren't? A Man hahahaha.

15. Muffins? No thanks I have a Mars Bar.

16. Wish list item? A sewing machine please Father Christmas - how many hints do I need to drop????

17. Where did you grow up? Tottenham, North London (Come on you Spurs!!!)

18. Last thing you did? Make a cup of tea.

19. What are you wearing? Comfy weekend clothes.

20. Your TV? Is downstairs and Kat is watching "Buzzcocks" on the BBC i-Player I must remember to watch it later in the week.

21. Your pets? We don't have any at the moment but while sweeping the leaves in the garden a cat decided to come into the hall. hahaha.

22. Friends? Yes I have some I'm not a "Billy-no-mates!!!" hahaha

23. Your life? Is happy, loving and wonderful at the moment thank you.

24. Your mood? Brilliant - I have just eaten a whole Mars Bar.

25. Missing someone? Sunjeeve he has been gone shopping a long time - what is he up to?

26. Vehicle? Me personally I don't have one unless you count my bicycle which Kris has commandered at the moment grrrrrr.

27. Something you are not wearing? Shoes or my tiara which is at the jewellers on Sundays to be cleaned. ;)

28. Your favourite store? Beadcraft in London's Beak Street.

29. Your favourite colour? Orange

30. When was the last time you laughed? 10 minutes ago.

31. Last time you cried? Last Sunday watching the Remembrance Service on TV from the Cenotaph in London.

32. Your best friend? Has to be Sunj my husband.

33. One place that I go over and over? School - where I work.

34. Facebook? No I don't have it. Blogging is enough for me thanks.

35. Favourite place to eat? Anywhere I don't have to cook or wash up!

Hardly Earth shattering information but then again it is about me.

Thanks for stopping by again today.
- x x -

DCM Challenge

It's Saturday and I have done the DCM Challenge this week - yes I don't believe it either - haha

The dare is:-

SCRAPLINGS
Scraplings are little narrow cards made from scrap cardstock. You know how when you make a card from a a piece of A4 or Letter sized cardstock you're left with an off-cut? Well that's the basis of a Scrapling. When folded in half, the Scrapling's card front will measure roughly 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" , though this depends of course on the size of card you were making in the first place! So, dig out your scraps and make either a card or a gift tag! The team have been having fun using up their off-cuts this week and have come up with all these ideas to get you thinking.

Now if I'm honest I do this anyway but it is great to be able to tie it into a challenge.x Thanks for looking x

Chick, chick, chick, chicken lay a little egg for me ...

I've been at them again - 52Q tags that is - now completed numbers 34 and 35.

Number 34 "How do you create your nest?" the front reminded me of Paige one of Tracy's chickens hahaha. She is sitting in her own nest made of fibres while on the back I knew those pieces cut from paint charts would come in handy one day. The folded peice of paper holds the journalling:-

"I like colour, bright and bold but I have to compromise with my family. If I had my way the house would be brightly coloured from top to bottom. Sunj prefers blue tones and things in straight lines while I love warm colours and curves. Different but we compliment each other and it works."

Number 35 "What kind of goddess am I?" erm this one was tricky as I have never considered being a goddess before. I used a Heidi Swapp mask on the front of the tag and used one of my paper roses ("paper woses, paper woses" Marie Osmond remember that song?) and hand cut flames on the back. Some orange stickles into the centre of the rose and that is it.

-thanks for stopping and reading -

How much is that doggie in the window?

Well it was either that title or "Who let the dogs out?" and I don't like that song! haha



Today I want to show you a card I have been inspired to make using a template I received from the workshop I signed up for last week 12 Days:A Copy and Paste Christmas. As I don't have a sewing machine ( yet - crosses fingers that Father Christmas reads my blog :0 ) and my hand sewing is not very neat, I couldn't do the original project but thought I would use the design for my neice's birthday card.

I love the fact that the dog ends round the back of the card. I think it will make her smile. I can't remember where I got the patterned paper or what company make it sorry. The dog is cut from that velvet type paper which I got last year sometime in a Bubbly Funk Kit.

- Thanks for dropping in! -

They call me mellow yellow ....

... quite rightly (cor showing my age there with that Donovan song - 1966)

Sorry if the songs sticks around all day - I know it has with me. hahaha

This card was made for my cousin who shares my birthday. The stamps are Lavinia ones fairy words and seed heads. This card hasn't photographed at all well in the bad light and I am rubbish at taking photographs but I have posted it anyway.

- thanks for stopping and looking -

Tidy Fun in the same sentence?

Tidying and sorting out can be fun and very fruitful I have discovered by accident. :)

Whilst tidying I found lots of elements to use in the card below. Some came from a secret santa swap from last year others I have no idea where they came from - the wooden leaves for starters????

Any way I thought it all came together well and have a card ready for the next birthday. Result. Tick VG.

- Thanks for stopping by -

Frosty the snowman

Isn't it strange how things come about?

Whilst cutting some triangles out for Christmas trees which I will decorate the cards I am giving to the classes I work in (I have only 50 to make eeeek!) I looked at this long thin off-cut and thought mmmmmmm a carrot nose. Then voila this snowman was born. tee hee. Very simple.

I think I shall send him to my two youngest neices.

Catch up

Just thought I would blog a catch up as I haven't blogged this week.

Well I have had a mixed week emotionally with my Auntie's funeral on Thursday which was a wonderful service and a lovely ending with a song by Frank Sinatra "Fly Me To The Moon" which made we smile and cry at the same time.

Then a firework display at Hatfield House with 17 cannon! I love fireworks, even standing in the cold to watch them doesn't put me off. :)

Also this week I have signed up for an on-line Christmas workshop - 12 Days - a copy and paste Christmas with those talent girls Kirsty Neale and Julie Kirk. Such wonderful projects go and sign up now!!

This morning too was emotional watching the Rememberance Day Service from the Cenotaph in London - very moving.

I have a birthday card to show you now for the wonderful Beth who's birthday it is today, have a lovely day sweetie, I do hope it got to you in time. :)Close up of the flower which I folded over and attached another flower to it with a large brad.



This card was made for a friend's birthday was in the week too. Glad you had a lovely day Sue.

Thanks for stopping by - see you soon. :)

watch out watch out there's a ....

Flying over last night were these two rascals. I just managed to snap them before they flew off into the sky.


Actually they were pom pom bats I saw on Anjie's blog made of wool and funky foam. Great fun to make and really quick too.

I'm practising the necklace too but that is taking me much longer to get to grips with. lol Will blog it when I have finished.

November Calendar Girl

Yes I am November pin up - craft pin up that is - I do not feature personally so don't worry you do not have to look at my ugly mug lol


It is a craft project I had included in the Bubbly Funk Crafty Calendar which is available to download here with a donation to an ME charity. We have so far raised £120 for the said charity but if you do pop over and download either of the remaining two months then please be generous and leave a quid donation. Thank you very much. The calendar features some brilliant project from some excellent crafters so go and have a look - NOW!!!!

- x -

Thank you sweetie

I have received my very first award from Leigh.


Right now I have to list 5 things I am addicted to and pass this onto 5 fabulous blogs ..... mmmm

Ok "I am addicted to ......"
Bubbly Funk Forum - simply the best forum
Jammie Dodgers - are there really any other biscuit?
Crafting - well naturally
the colour orange - just love it
Laughing - must have a laugh everyday :)

I pass this award onto the following for no particular reason other than I love to read your blogs and you haven't had this award before.

Anjie = http://www.pompomemporium.com/frontpage
Hippy = http://hippyhippychic.blogspot.com/
Carol = http://kraftypieces.blogspot.com/
Karen = http://karenscarryons.blogspot.com/
Kaz = http://kazscraftbits.blogspot.com/

The award states that you just fulfil the normal courtesies of contacting the giver and 5 recipients .... then list 5 things you are addicted to...easy really. But if you don't have time please just accept the award which is sent with love.


x - thank you - x

Busy, busy, busy

Look what I made last night ......
A Christmas tag. This is for the monthly challenge on the Bubbly Scrumptious Blog which is "Angels" although it finishes at the end of October so just scraped in - ooops - new challenge up on 1st November. I must try harder to get it in sooner rather than later.

Bubbly Scrumptious have daily posts with lots of brilliant ideas from some stunning women crafters. One of those clever ladies is Kaz and on Tuesday she posted these quick Christmas cards. And when she says "quick" by heck are they quick - I made these half a dozen last night. Go to Bubbly Scrumptious to see exactly how to do it.


Thanks for stopping by please come back soon!

- x -

Three more to delight?

I do hope so.

Well it's half term so more crafting is allowed - yippee! I have caught up a little with Emily's 52Q and made three more so here they are. Numbers 30, 32 and 33 - I've already blogged number 31 so if you haven't seen it you will have to trawl through my blog to find it tee hee.
I used rub ons I received free with a magazine and the image is from my trusty old Elle magazine (can you guess who it is?) and the lips on the front are MINE!!! lol

Number 32 is all about my impatience with Glossy Accents - Kaz will know what I mean and I am sure we are not alone? The inchie on the back is actually covered in Glossy Accents and I wanted to try and make it have hundreds of bubbles in it but do you know try as I might it wouldn't bubble when I wanted it too. Isn't that S*ds Law? lol

Finally for this time number 33 just messed about with acrylic dabbers and paper and tearing. The image is again from Elle magazine and the journalling page from my diary/filofax from Willow Tree Crafts.
Thank you for stopping by and have a great day. :)

Cosmo Cricket Curled Creations

Orignally an idea from Cosmo Cricket blog. I followed the clever Kathy's instructions to create these beautiful flowers from humble circles. Cut a spiral into the circle, curl up and glue and voila a cute flower.

I haven't decided what to do with mine yet as I was just practising but Kathy has crafted some stunning pieces decorated with these blooms.