Image: Chick-a-dee from Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers
Cardstock: yellow, green and orange core'dinations, the yellow is sanded round the edges, the green is embossed using the paisley folder in the cuttlebug, and the orange is cut using the oval scalloped nestabilities in the cuttlebug and sanded.
ribbon: dovecraft
Image: For Him stamp set from CCSR, coloured with promarkers
papers: CCSR The Big One paper pack
brown card - Doodlebug
saw button from stash
Image: Oakley in slipover and tree trunk from Whiff of Joy, coloured with promarkers
Papers: all 3 papers are Basic Grey - Marrakech. The green and patterned paper have faux stitching round them. The close up is to show the 3D effect of cutting out the images and attaching them with 3d foam tape, and also the sakura metallic silver pen used on the buckle.
papermania ribbon (autumn collection)
I'm cutting it fine with this one as the deadline is 8pm tonight i.e. less than 2 hours away. Its my entry for Mojo Monday Week 79, this is the first time I've entered this challenge..
I must apologise for the shocking pictures but the light isn't that great in the kitchen at this time of night. The card looks a bit pinkish in the photo, but it is in actual fact bright red.
Image: Oakley on Scooter from Whiff of Joy, coloured with promarkers (inkssentials white pen for highlights) The close up shows the orange glitter flock from papermania that I used on his collar and the papermania shimmer dots I used on his buttons
paper: Basic Grey marrakech, core'dinations pale blue card
orange ribbon and blue button from stash
the sentiment is from a See D's set
Max is having her Mad March Madness candy giveaway and I was one of the first winners. Pop on over to Max's blog and join in. Its a wee bit different to your normal blog candy and you have to keep checking back to see if you're a winner.
Its occurred to me that I have never got round to posting about the image swaps I've done lately. Firstly I got this lovely folder full of images from Fiona, she's another Sugar Nellie and Whiff of Joy addict.
I also received this beautiful folder from Tina, which was a bit spooky as I had just posted a card on my blog (the pink-haired Gorjuss Girl) just before I received it and it has the same layout - we'd both used the same sketch, plus the brown card base Tina had used was the exact same card that I had used as a base for the folder I had sent her. Think there must be some psycho- tele -pathic-ness going on there :)
I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy today, so I just wanted to mention a few of my fellow bloggers that I have got to know better recently. So, to Tina, Fiona, and Dawn Marie - I would just like to say I really appreciate you, and have enjoyed making some wonderful new friends *bosies* to you all.
And I have decided not to risk buying the Prisma's from eBay, so I've bitten the bullet and ordered a tin of 60 from Sonia at 1buy1pencils. So am all excited about them arriving.
I have taken a note of all the challenges I haven't done this week and I'm going to try to do as many of them as I can today. I'm an hour down today because I forgot all about the clocks going forward argh!!
Papers: CCSR, scallop edging made with Stampin' Up scallop border punch
Swirl and flower are Doodlebug Stick With It transfers used with Papermania glitter flock
pink card for matting and layering is Doodlebug from a scrapbook kit
The pink scallop ovals, polka dot and white card ovals are all cut using nestabilities in the cuttlebug
I stamped one of the CCSR greetings onto the white card, and embossed with Papermania black embossing powder and doodled round the edge with a black micron pen.
I stamped on of the CCSR Doodles flowers onto the pink card, embossed with black embossing powder and cut round it - attaching with 3d foam
To finish it off I used one of the new shimmering dots from Papermania
Had a wee jaunt down to Letham Crafts near Brechin this afternoon - the place is like a rabbit warren and has supplies for every type of craft known to man and then some. So I had a wee stash splurge.
I stocked up on my favourite card packs - the Roy G Biv and Elements from Core'dinations, the new Marrakech and Porcelain 6x6 pads from Basic Grey, pink and black boutique trims and stick with it adhesive transfers from Doodlebug, paper leave and mini flowers from Crafty Horizons, more mini paper flowers from Goodwear products, mixed vintage Got Flowers? from Prima, Lasting Impressions paper scuffers, Anita's butterfly dimensions stickers, silver thread, lilac ribbon and a woodware fern punch.
So, that's me back home and with a bit of luck I might actually get to do some crafting later on, but dinna hold your breath!
well, not much at all to say really...
still gutted about my pencils, but hey-ho.... poop happens!!
have spent the evening running the March payroll and then doing the PAYE year end for one of my clients, so that's all done and dusted - and the proceeds will no doubt be spent on stash lol.
Am thinking about a wee run to Letham Crafts tomorrow, will see what the weather's like - I hate driving on the dual cabbageway if its peeing down with rain.
ok are you bored yet? no? I am lol, so am off to stuff my face and see if I can catch up with some of these challenges as I've fallen wayyyyyyyyyyyyy behind.
My Prisma's have arrived, although I think they may actually be seconds. Out of 72 loose pencils I had 3 which had completely smashed cores, and a further 8 had no writing on the barrel so I can only guess at the right colour, and there was one which only had half the barrel and the core. Anyway, I emailed the guy and he has agreed to refund a sixth of what I paid, so I have ordered replacements from 1Buy1Pencils, which is where I purchased the sharpener and paper stumps which also arrived today.
So I have them all sharpened, I nipped out to Asda this evening to get some baby oil and as soon as I have a bath I'll go try them out and let you know how I get on.
~*~EDIT~*~
I've had a bit of a think about it and discussed it with my good chum Mar and my wonderful other half Graham, and I've decided to return the pencils for a refund. I bought them on the understanding I was buying quality pencils, when in fact it looks very much like they are seconds. So I'll just have to wait a wee bit longer :(
My BFF's partner's, friend's partner (goodness that sounds awfy complicated!) had a wee baby girl yesterday, so it gave me an excuse to make a baby card - which i haven't done for a wee while. If Pamela doesn't want to use it then it'll go into the pile that's now really starting to grow for Kirsty's Cards for Heroes appeal.
Image: Baby Love from Grab-a-Doodle, coloured with promarkers (highlights - white gelly roll), cut using labels one die from nestabilities
Sentiment: stampin' up
Card and striped paper from Doodlebug, Anita's wide pink organza ribbon
yup, I've ordered myself 72 Prismacolour pencils, 2 packs of assorted paper stumps (tortillions) and a Prismacolour pencil sharpener from eBay. All are coming from the UK so I should have them by the end of the week.
I didn't want to buy a huge set, as I don't have room for them on my work desk - but some of the smaller 24, 36 and 48 pencil sets don't have all the colours I was after. So the 72 pencil set gives me a decent range of colours and it won't take up half my desk. They are loose, so I can store them in the galvanised plant pots I got from Asda last week - which reminds me, I need to take a pic of my Promarkers in the first 3.
I really enjoyed having a shot of Mar's Prismas at the weekend - the blending is very therapeutic and relaxing.
My BFF Pamela came round for a cuppy this morning after she'd been to the baby clinic with Emma. So of course that was as good an excuse as any for me to get the camera out. I took loads of pics, but I like these the best. The first one is of Willow tickling her, and the second is her laughing again. She is soooooooooooooo good, all she does is laugh and smile - oh and wiggle!
I've managed to make a couple of cards, just for fun...
Firstly here's my Gorjuss Girl - Sitting, in shocking pink. It doesn't seem to matter what colour you use to colour these girls in, they always look fab.
Image: Gorjuss Girls, Sitting @ Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers (+white gelly roll for highlights)
Papers: pale pink card, hot pink card and pink/brown paisley print paper are all from Doodlebug; brown core'dinations for matting
Brown Whispers pen for faux stitching
Papermania fabric flower (brown), Prima flower (cream, inked with bright pink ink it up pad)
greeting: Stampin' Up
This is one of the new Baskets and Butterflies range, designed by Elisabeth Bell for Sugar Nellie,..
Image: Catch a Butterfly by Elisabeth Bell @ Sugar Nellie, coloured by promarkers (highlights - white gelly roll, and clear stardust on butterfly)
Patterned paper, and pink paper from Basic Grey - Two Scoops, yellow paper from Basic Grey - Cupcake. Green core'dinations card.
Brad - Basic Grey Two Scoops
Greeting - Papermania Motifations and papermania pink glitter flock
Hi all,
just a quickie tonight, haven't had time to do much crafting since I got back from Mar's, just coloured a couple of images and inked up the newest stamps to give me a wee stock.
W've had all 4 seasons in the one day here today... we've had glorious sunshine, howling gales, snow and rain. And that was just this afternoon.
Anyway, Heroes is on tonight so I'm away to go and get comfy - with a bit of luck I might find some chocolate too. That's a laught actually - I spent over 25 quid in Thorntons at the weekend, but forgot to buy some for myself - argh!!
anyway, ciao for now
Well I had a super time away at Mar's hoose. Arrived just after 1pm on Friday, Manda arrived and we all had a great catch up and gossip.
Manda came over in the evening and we got stuck into the crafting, we sorted out all Mar's spanking new Prisma pencils and I was privileged to have a wee shot of them - I like them!! they are now on my wish list.
Manda asking what the hell she's meant to do with those nestabilities and "are you sure those are different sizes??"
The famous Prisma's all sorted out
Mar and her marigolds
Rory lying on the lounge carpet watching the telly and Squackers McCaw
Zara the dog and Bobby crashed out in mid-surf
Manda hard at work
Mar hard at work
Mar trying out her Prisma's for the very first time.....
and finally my very first try using the Prisma's
I had a fantabulous time, and it was lovely to see Mar and spend some quality time with her before she goes for her op next month.
We went shopping in MacArthur Glen yesterday, and I got to visit the papermill shop for the first time - an bought some sweeties and wee pressies to take home to Graham and the kids
And here's a couple of pics I took from the train going over the Forth Bridge, looking out over the Firth of Forth
I made this card for a commission for an old school chum (Hi Mike!) and decided to use the Whiff of Joy Challenge #22 rules which are to use green, to kill two birds with one stone.
Image: Willow with Cookies from WoJ, coloured with promarkers and white gelly roll for highlights
Papers are all from the new Daisy & Dandelion A5 paper pack, the papers were inked with papermania green ink pad, green core'dinations card for matting and layering.
Dovecraft daisy grosgrain ribbon and papermania clear gems
The flower inside was punched with Woodware Daisy punches from the Daisy & Dandelion papers
The verse inside reads:
Here's wish you a Mother's Day,
That's filled with every pleasure,
And a future that's as happy,
As the memories you treasure.
If you are at all squeamish or of a nervous disposition please don't read this.
For those of you who are wondering what I'm on about when I mention Willow's bowel washouts, let me explain... Willow has a congenital condition called Imperforate Anus, which basically means that she was born with no anal opening. The bowel ended in a blind pouch with a fistula (narrow tube) that connected the bowel to the vaginal opening and this is where her poo was coming out when she was first born. Obviously this is going to result in infections and so can't be left like that. So when Willow was a day old she had to have a colostomy. This is where the intestine is cut and the end coming from the stomach was brought to the surface so that waste could be expelled into a colostomy bag. The other cut end of the intestine was also brought to the surface to form a mucous fistula - this is so that the mucous present in the intestine can clear and doesn't stagnate within. A dressing is placed over this mucous fistula and changed regularly.
Willow had to have another operation when she was about 10 days old as she had developed adhesions on her intestine and it was causing a blockage.
When she was 8 months old she had the operation to form an anal opening, this operation has to be done first so that the opening can heal before the colostomy reversal, otherwise the waste could cause infection.
2 Months after that Willow then had the colostomy reversal operation, this is where the 2 cut ends of the intestine are rejoined, allowing waste to travel to the rectum and out the new opening.
I have left loads out, but I don't see that its necessary to go into great detail here. Anyway, Willow has no bowel control and we have to perform bowel washouts every 2nd day. This is so that (in theory) she will be clean all day in preparation for starting school in August. Now, the washouts need a bit of explanation. We use the Peristeen System and what happens is we fill the bag with warm saline, connect up the tube and hand pump, then insert the catheter into her anus and pump a certain amount of the saline into her bowel. Its a bit like colonic irrigation. Once we have done this, Willow has to sit on the toilet for up to an hour so that she can empty her bowel completely. She usually needs a couple of nappy changes before bedtime, as we don't think its really fair on her to sit her on the toilet for more than an hour.
So we need help to do this, as its not exactly pleasant and Willow fights a bit. It really needs two people - one to use the system, and one to restrain Willow. And with Graham away for 2 weeks out of 5 I need help when he's away. It took several months, and various assessments from the local Social Work dept but we got the help in the end.
Image: Heart to Heart from Penny Black (very kindly given to me by Kath) and coloured with watercolour pencils just for a change and whispers pens
pearlescent subtle gold paper, ribbon from stash
core'dinations card for matting and layering, cut with oval scalloped nesties
Just wanted to fill you in on my whereabouts for the next 2 days. I'm going away down to see my good chum Mar for a couple of days of crafting, blethering and shopping - bliss!
But as I have a wee resolution to post every day this year, I have scheduled posts until Sunday.
I have my wee case packed - just a change of clothes, my jammies and toilet bag, the rest of the case is taken up with crafty stuff that I won't use so I'm taking it down so Mar and Manda can have their pick. This also means there is plenty room in the case to take back one or two purchases. And I've promised to take something back for Graham and each of the kids.
My new Sugar Nellie's arrived this morning, and I haven't had a chance to ink them up yet, just mount them - so they'll be coming down with me. I bought the 5 new Elisabeth Bell stamps and they're gorgeous, I particularly can't wait to use Catch a butterfly and Fingers crossed. I also bought an older one of Elisabeth Bell's designs - Girl and Birdhouse. I'm so glad I got them when I did as some are sold out already.
So, all I need to do is pack my camera and an extra set of batteries, pack my handbag and a magazine for reading on the train and I'm all set.
Poor Willow was bubblin' and greetin' (crying if you're not from Scotland) because "I don't want you to leavvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve!") but she likes a bit of drama does Oor Willow! :)
Image: Daisy & Dandelion die-cut decoupage
Papers: Daisy & Dandelion A5 Paper pad
Core'dinations card, embossed using the floral screen cuttlebug embossing folder and sanded
Papermania cardstock sticker sentiment, blue grosgrain ribbon
I've kept it quick and simple really as I'm short of time. I had a commission to do for mothers day for an old school friend, I'll post it on Sunday, and a commission for one of the ladies from Crossroads that helps me with Willow's washouts - it was a 40th birthday card for her chum, and I'll be posting it on Friday.
Image: Chick-a-dee, designed by Elisabeth Bell @ Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers
Papers: Papermania Scrumptious and Simply Elegant
Anita's pink stripe grosgrain ribbon
pink Doodlebug Loopy Lou alphabet
Some of you may already know that all 3 of my babies were born early, Scott was 7 weeks early and weighed 3lbs 5.5oz and his father could hold him in one hand when he was born.
and this is him now - a strapping 9 year old who is 4'9" tall - only 6 inches to go and he'll be taller than me lol
Faith was only 3 weeks early and the only one of my 3 that didn't end up in the Neonatal Unit - I can tell you, I was sooooooooooo chuffed to finally be able to take one of my babies home from the hospital with me.
Get yourselves over to Funky Kits right now!!!!
The brand spanking new Baskets & Butterflies range of stamps from Elisabeth Bell are in stock, as well as some home grown boys and some (very different for Sugar Nellie) Skull Boyz and Tattoo stamps.
Go get 'em now, before they run out.
I have ordered the new EB's and will be ambushing my poor postie very very soon lol
This is the sketch by Heather..
And this is my take on it - I've stuck close to the sketch as it was so much fun to work with.
Starting from the card blank and working out the way, I used:
Papermania Scrumptious collection paper, inking the edges with chalk ink
the 2nd layer is a piece of the new lilac "gemstone" core'dinations card, embossed with the swirly cuttlebug folder and sanded
the 3rd layer is a piece of gold gemstone core'dinations card embossed with the happy birthday cuttlebug folder and sanded
the 4th layer (narrow pink strip) is papermania scrumptious again
and the 5th layer is papermania from the spring collection from last year
the paper flowers are all prima, and I have stamped them with an Anita's flowery stamp using the same chalk ink as before
the sentiment stamp was free in Cardmaking and Papercraft mag a few issues ago, this was stamped, cut to size and inked with the chalk ink
the buttons all came from the Mad About Cards pound shop
and finally the all important image is Princess Charlotte (thankyou Fiona) from WoJ, coloured with promarkers.
Here are a couple of close-ups, the first one is to show the use of clear stardust gelly roll on the dress, and the second one shows the stamping on the paper flowers and also the sanding on the new gemstone core'dinations card.
My boss at work, and friend Charlotte recently had her first baby so I had a few baby cards to make, on for Charlotte and her husband James,...
