Saturday 28 February 2009

A friends wedding

Thought I'd share the card and gift envelope I made for friends of ours who recently got married. You'll have to forgive the photography (or lack of it) as camera died so had to resort to mobile phone piccies!



Anna Griffin products were used again, just love her timeless designs they are so elegant. The colour theme is one of my fave combinations, duck egg blue and cream. Of course there always has to be some ribbon!




On their wedding list they wanted vouchers from John Lewis so I made this elegant gift card out of my DL stock to put the vouchers in, much nicer than the card that came with them. Just love the flower stamp by AG. The letters were stamped with a set of alphas I have had for years but I reach for them over and over again. I like using negative letters they really catch the eye don't you think.

Duck Egg Blue and Cream - lovely!

Made this cute notebook for my niece to take to Uni with her. She is going to use it to journal her thoughts and ideas in. She's doing a fashion marketing course and is now in her second year, gosh time flies



It was a plain notebook that I had had lying around for a while, I covered it using Anna Griffin papers, the letters were cut out from a sheet of alphas in vintage fonts and then I raided my ribbon jars and tied short strips to the spine. This will look lovely sitting on her study desk.

Friday 27 February 2009

Pink Petticoat February Challenge



The February challenge on Pink Petticoat's Blog is to make some of these adorable sour cream containers.



As Mother's Day is coming up soon over here in the UK thought I would make some to put chocolates and a piece of jewellery in for my wonderful mother. She is such a kind loving person that she deserves to be spoiled all year round!
If you head over to Liz's blog you'll find easy step-by-step instructions for these and can take a peek at all the other talented entries by fellow bloggers.

Can see me making lots more of these for gifts for family and friends, they'll also look great at Xmas hanging from the tree!

I used the new 'sweet flourishes' papers by Pink Petticoat, Heidi Grace diecut letters and my nestibilities to cut the circles.

Monday 23 February 2009

Clutter, Clutter, Clutter

Okay haven't been around for a while, been caught by the decluttering bug!! I have way too much stuff in my house and it's been annoying me! Sorting things out is not necessarily what stresses me, it's the piles I end up with on the floors that then seem to sit there for ages just taunting me. Was doing a bit of browsing on the web one evening when I came across these popup bags.


What a fab idea, especially as you can fold them away after you have done with your clearout session. Have always found the traditional bin liners not much good as can split and just flop on the floor not helping much. Cardboard boxes are okay but never seem to have any when I need them and they take up space to store.

The company that does these are based in the US so I am off to my local Acorn store to buy me some popup laundry bins and get labelling, they will have to be pretty labels of course! I shall add an extra bin for me labelled Ebay as I do sell some things on there to boost my crafting funds ;o)

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Update - Trash Ties

They arrived this morning, how speedy was that! Beautifully packaged and with a gift card, very thoughtful. Have had a quick play with one of them, and yes they do work. Was a bit sceptical at first when saw them and I have fine hair, but it's amazing how they stay in place. Well done to Heather!

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Trash Ties by Heather Bailey - UK stockist!!


I have been in love with the idea of the hair accessory Trash Ties as designed/invented by the wonderful Heather Bailey since discovering them over on her blog. I have long hair and find it difficult to put it up in anything other than a ponytail. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I found this lovely lady Lucy Wallis selling them online in the UK! And delivery is only £2.00 per order which is great to see.

I have gone for the Chocolate Brown in both the long and standard ties, my hair is blonde so thought this would be a nice contrast. I cannot wait to the get them and play. If the results aren't too scary I may even post a few piccies!!

Sunday 15 February 2009

Valentines Cards




Just thought I'd share a couple of cards I made for male recipients. One of them was for my sister's husband. I used bazzill cardstock, my new cuttlebug dots embossing folder, hearts nestibilities and my PC for the sentiments. These were A5 cards and after making them realised I didn't have envelopes to fit them! Ended up cutting up some 12x12 paper to make some. Must look online and see what's available, my local stationers only have the naff office type C5 envelopes, not very good with handmade cards.




So it is now all over, bring on Springtime, all those lovely fresh cards we can make for Mother's Day and Easter, can't wait. That time of year really cheers me up ;o)

Thursday 12 February 2009

Pink Birthday



A friend wanted a birthday card for her daughter. So I turned to one of my favourite designers Anna Griffin, I just adore her paper designs. The card was made using one of her 12 x 12 cardstocks which I folded in half then cut down the middle. I then ran the front edge of the card through my Purple Cows trimmer using one of their wave blades. My nestibilities were used to make the diecuts for the sentiment, with a finishing touch of some satin ribbon from my stash. Simple but nice I think.

Wednesday 11 February 2009

My Niece has gotten all crafty

Had some crafty time with my neice today which was lovely. It is her second valentines day with her boyfriend and she wanted to make him a card. She came round with her own red and black cardstock as she knows my stash is limited in these colours! I must rectify that soon.



She had a clear idea on what she wanted to do so I just helped her along with using the paper trimmers and nestibilities and this is what she came up with! She even made a matching gift tag for his pressie. I think she did very well don't you.



Let's hope he has got her an equally gorgeous card or there'll be trouble ;o)

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Glass, Glass and more Glass

Finally I got out of the house yesterday! Now I love snow and it makes everything look so pretty but am now getting fed up with being indoors and being sooo cold. A trip round my local charity stores is what I needed to cheer me up. Wrapped up like an eskimo I set off on my travels, looking stylish in freezing temperatures and sleet is not something I do well ;o) Despite the cold it did feel good to be out in the big wide world again.



It didn't take me long to find some treasures, a pair of traditional jelly moulds and a citrus juicer just like my nan used to have. A really pretty crystal dish with lid which will look lovely on my dresser and will come in handy for all those little bits that always seem to appear on there! Lastly I just had to have the pretty little vase which will be just perfect for showing off bunches of tulips, my fave spring flower!

Total cost of all these goodies .............. £5.50, and the smile it put back on my face .... priceless!!

Sunday 8 February 2009

The Cutest Gift Pouches - Pink Petticoat

The amazingly creative Liz over at Pink Petticoat has set a challenge for February to make up some of these.

Aren't they just the cutest! And so easy to do, will be having a go at making some for valentines and mother's day. The kids at my sisters school will love these for their Mummies!

And to top it off Liz is giving the lucky winning entry this gorgeous cake stand.

Go on have a go................!

Thursday 5 February 2009

More Snow!!!

My niece and I were up late last night and when we went to bed and switched the lights off I thought why is it so bright outside. Rushed over to the window and this is what we saw, it was all we could do to stop ourselves running out in it, but it was 4am and we were in our jim jams!!



All this snow is not helping my cause for getting things done as keep wanting to go out and play in it. Look what I made in my back garden.

The cats are not too keen though, my black and white one Alfie is the brave one and goes out frolicking, dashing around in the snow.

Morgan my tabby will only walk round the perimeter where there's gaps with no snow. He much prefers to have a snooze and particularly on my clothing! But don't he look cute!

Last piccie I promise, this is how my trees looked at the end of my garden, just magical!

Hope you are all having fun!

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Valentines - Penny Black Stamps up for grabs

The lovely Sharni and Clair over on Valentines are giving bloggers the chance to win this:


I'm keeping my fingers crossed as don't own any Penny Black stamps yet and would love to get my hands on these ones!

You should go visit them, they have a lovely blog and make some beautiful things.

Monday 2 February 2009

Fluffy White Stuff!!

Hey everyone it's snowing! Such a magical sight watching the snowflakes floating to the ground.


It has been causing just a bit of traffic chaos though. Don't think many people will be making it into London today as they have heaps more than we do here Cambridgeshire, although there is more on it's way this afternoon!

Just looked outside again and it is coming down thicker, yippee!! Might just have to go and play............... ;o