Last Day of School

Well already I'm a bubbling wreck! Bang goes my tough mum act! As some of you know, Willow has bowel issues due to a condition she was born with and she has been assigned a SFL (support for learners) assistant to help her with toileting and when she needs cleaned up or changed . So because it's quite an intimate thing, Willow and Jenny have a pretty good bond and have done for the last 2 years. Unfortunately, due to staffing issues, Jenny is moving to another school. And when she came over this morning to say goodbye to me and tell me how much she's going to miss Willow, and what a credit all my kids are to me - well I burst into tears. But I wished her luck in her new job and thanked her for all her help and care of Willow.
The kids are home from school now, I think it was pretty emotional, it was Scott's last day of Primary school ever, Willow adores Jenny and her teacher, and Faithy just comes out in sympathy with the other two. She has the same teacher again next year so she's not too bothered about breaking up for the holidays, Willow is devastated - she loves school and she's made me promise to give her school work to do over the holidays, although I have a feeling that won't actually happen lol.
So to celebrate the last day of school, here's a sample I made for the Papeterie, featuring "winking student" from the Simply Sassy range.

Image: Winking Student Simply Sassy from Sugar Nellie
coloured with promarkers: Burnt Orange, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Blush, Black, Walnut, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Tan, Gold, Burgundy, Cardinal Red, Pear Green, Olive Green, Powder Blue
Flexmarkers: Light Fawn, Antique White
Diamond White and Kraft card from The Papeterie
Tim Holtz embossing folder
Hero Arts Greeting, twill ribbon and wooden button from stash (button coloured with promarkers)

I'd like to enter her into...
4 Crafty Chicks - School's Out
Paper Crafting Journey - kraft
Fab n Funky - Cute & Girly
I love Promarkers - anything goes
Papercraft Star - embossing
Love to Create - anything goes
Sentimental Sundays - Cute & Girly


Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Aquamarker 2 Winner

Good afternoon folks
what a beautiful day it's been... Willow had her class trip out to Alford today, and we were thinking yesterday that we'd have to send the kids off with jackets and wellies. 
But the sun shines on the righteous, or so they say lol and they all had a great time running around at the park and on the miniature railway.


So I'm here to announce the winner of the Set 2 of Aquamarkers and Mr Random.org selected number 63 which was Ails
congratulations, please email me before noon on Friday to claim your prize - if I don't hear from you I'll redraw it on Friday afternoon.
Huge thank you to everyone who took the time to check out my tutorial on the Letraset blog, and look out for another giveaway tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Aquamarker Giveaway 2

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I have another pack of Aquamarkers to give away, courtesy of Letraset - this time I'm giving away Set 2...

which contains these yummy colours...

plus I'll throw in Flame Red and Rose Carmine :)

So, to be in with a chance of winning Set 1 of 12 Aquamarkers all you have to do is...

• pop over and see my tutorial on the Letraset Blog and leave a comment (if you left a comment already skip to the linky)
• come back here and enter your name on the linky below

You have until 12 noon GMT on Tuesday 26th June to enter

Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Tick Tock

Good afternoon folks, that's the weekend almost over already - where does the time go eh?

 And I think my body clock is all to pot at the moment, I keep being struck by inspiration late at night. Which is great, BUT I end up crafting til silly o'clock.

Anyway, talking of time, I thought I'd share another of the samples I made for The Papeterie - this is a super quick project using the clock kits that The Papeterie have in stock, it contains all the clock workings, the clock face and frame - you just need to decorate it.

Image: "Amelia" Simply Sassy from Sugar Nellie
coloured with promarkers/flexmarkers: Burnt Orange, Coral, Cinnamon, Blush, Walnut, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Tan, Antique White, Cool Aqua, Powder blue
Letraset metallic markers in blue and green to colour the cogs (Tim Holtz mini gears Movers & Shapers dies)
Clock kit from The Papeterie
Letraset Alcohol inks in Cobalt Blue, Sky Blue, Meadow Green and Adirondack Pearl Mixative to colour the clock
Card Candi


I'd like to enter her into:
The Stamp Man - Time


Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Busy Students

I was taking some pics off my iphone last night and realised I hadn't posted the pics of my class from last weekend.
I had quite a diverse range of students, which just shows you're never too young or old to colour in :)

Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments
Debz x

Aquamarker Set 1 Winner

Good afternoon folks, and can I just say a big thankyou to everyone who entered my aquamarker giveaway and took the trouble to check out my tutorial on the Letraset Blog - unfortunately there can only be one winner, but don't despair, I've got another giveaway for you tomorrow :)


So random.org selected number 27 which is quite spooky actually cos 27 is my birthday, the day I got amarried and both Scott and Willow's due dates - and number 27 was also the entry number for Paula - congratulations missus. 


So remember to look out for a new giveaway tomorrow


Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Aquamarkers Anyone?

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I'm ashamed to say my Aquamarkers don't get nearly as much use as they should do, I'm not too hot at the whole water colouring images, but I have to say I love using them to make backgrounds. So I thought I'd show you some fun techniques with Aquamarkers over on the Letraset Blog.


Here's a wee sneaky peek of what I've done...

And my very generous boss Paul, at Letraset has kindly given me some Aquamarkers to give away so you can have a go at these techniques. So, to be in with a chance of winning Set 1 of 12 Aquamarkers all you have to do is...

• pop over and see my tutorial on the Letraset Blog and leave a comment
• come back here and enter your name on the linky below

You have until 12 noon GMT on Tuesday 19th June to enter
And this is what you could win...

Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Gingham Bunting

Morning folks,

I've spent most of the morning trying to get through to the doctors surgery, but I finally managed to get an appointment this afternoon with the minor ailments nurse so hopefully I'll get something for this sore throat of mine. I can barely swallow anything, I even missed out on one of the wonderful cupcakes at Creative Flourish in Oldmeldrum yesterday on our girly road trip. But I did take a box home for Graham and the kids, and they seemed pretty impressed with their Oreo cupcakes - I'm not sure Scott even tasted his white chocolate one though, I suspect it didn't even touch the sides lol.

I'm back with another sample from the weekend today

BellaBunting from Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers and sakura pencils
Hero Arts Friendly Flags stamp set
Wild Rose Studio - gingham paper pack
Bakers Twine
Diamond White card and lime green paper from The Papeterie


I'd like to enter her into...
Sweet Stampin' - summer fun
Crop Stop - it's a celebration


Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments
Debz x

Artistic Goddess

Morning!
Just want to say thank you to everyone who came along to my demo at The Papeterie yesterday morning and to all the lovely ladies who attended my class in the afternoon - keep practicing :)
I'm going to share some of the samples I made to showcase the Simply Sassy stamps that The Papeterie have in stock.
Today is the turn of Artistic Goddess, for some reason I always colour her with funky coloured hair - I  suppose I think of her as a stereotypical art student with wild taste in hair colour and clothing...

Artistic Goddess stamp from Sugar Nellie
Coloured with promarkers/flexmarkers: Burnt Orange, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Blush, Burgundy, Crimson, Poppy, Baby Pink, Ice Grey 1,3,5, Black, Antique White
Red Lacquer and Diamond White cardstock from The Papeterie
Marianne Creatables "English Rose" dies
Sizzix embossing folder
Fiskars bracket punch
Hero Arts greeting


I'd like to enter her into:
The Sugar Bowl - sketch
Paper Crafting Journey - hand-coloured image
The Cutie Pie Challenge - faux stitching
Saturated Canary - anything goes
Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

It's Friday!

Yup, it's Friday - the end of the week for most folk - but the start of the week for me :) Tonight I'm going to be making Father's Day cards with the local Brownies, so I've kitted up all set for that - with a bit of luck I'll have some photo's to share with you tomorrow. Then on Saturday I'm demo-ing Promarkers, Flexmarkers and the brand new Sakura colour pencils that are in stock now at The Papeterie.


So today I thought I'd share some sneaky peeks of some of the samples I've done for The Papeterie...

I'll be on hand from 10am - 12.30pm tomorrow if you'd like to join me at The Papeterie, where I can answer any of your colouring questions.


Later today my boy gets back from his school residential trip, I can't wait to see him again, we've missed him heaps. It's the first time he's ever been away from home other that going to his dad's. 


Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Altered Notebook

Hi again,
I just thought I'd share a supply list for the altered notebook project I taught at GJWTHF for all those of you who want to give it a go and/or were interested in what I used.

• Ivory leather effect 250gsm card from The Papeterie
• Blank A5 Notebook from The Papeterie
• Bakers Twine
• 1" circle punch - letters were printed using Papyrus font in Word on PC onto Ivory Leather effect card
• Tim Holtz Alterations "Hardware Findings" Bigz die (hinges)
• Tim Holtz Alterations "Tag & Tie" die (tag/bookmark)
• Hero Arts/Sizzix Stamp & Diecut "Antique Flowers & Butterflies" (butterflies)
• Hero Arts CL407 "Feathers" stamp set
• Hero Arts CL106 "Fantastic Flourishes" stamp Set
• Hero Arts CG421 "Watch Gears" stamp
• La Blanche "Flourish Fine" stamp
• Kanban "Time" stamp set
• Inkadinkado "Thoughts for the Day"
• Memento inkpads: Bamboo Leaves, Summer Sky, New Sprout, Tuxedo Black, Desert Sand, Potter's Clay and Rich Cocoa
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads: Faded Jeans, Broken China, Brushed Corduroy, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, Pumice Stone, Frayed Burlap, Peacock Feathers
• Letraset Alcohol Inks: Caramel, Raw Sienna, Vanilla, Walnut, Sky Blue, Cobalt Blue, Meadow Green
• Adirondack Mixatives: Pearl
• Glamour Dust

Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Woohoo a Winner

Morning folks,
Just a quick post before I do my main post for today. 
A huge thank you to everyone who entered
I've woken up Mr Random.org and he selected number 13 from all the entries.
So our winner is.....
Suze Bain


Congratulations Suze, please email me before noon on Friday to claim your prize
Don't be disheartened if you didn't win this time, I have more goodies to giveaway later today.


Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Mega Blog Candy

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As promised, I'm back with some more blog candy - this is going to be a big one, because I'm celebrating gaining my 1000th follower. I can't actually believe that 1000 of you are interested enough in my waffling to follow my blog lol
So to thank all my followers here on my blog and on my facebook page, I've put together some stash that I hope you'll like.

• 1 spiral bound notebook for you to alter
• 1 bookprint paper pad from Papermania
• 1 sheet cream Mini Alpha Stickers from Kaisercraft
• 2 packs of Make It Crafty lasercut chipboard embellishments
• 1 Frame Swirl Lea'bilities die
• 1 Corners Marianne Creatables die
• Letraset Metallic Markers Set 1
• 1 pack Funky Butterflies wooden flourishes from Kaisercraft
• 1 pack Chocolate Pearl Brads from Kaisercraft
• 1 pack Wine Rhinestones from Kaisercraft
• 1 pack Chocolate Heaven pearls from The Hobby House
• 2 rolls of bakers twin
• 3 rolls of fabric tape
• 1 length of mesh ribbon
• 1 length of velvet crochet ribbon
• 1 pack of coffee and cream buttons
• 1 length of choc brown seam binding

Important

Now because there's a lot of goodies up for grabs, I'm afraid there are one or two simple rules.

1. Please visit my LE Summer 2012 post on the Letraset Blog and leave a comment
2. Spread the word about this blog candy - if you have a blog then copy the above pic (with a link back here) to your sidebar - if you don't have a blog then please share this post on my FB page.
3. Once you have done those 2 things please leave your details in the link tool below.

I will use random.org to draw a winner after the closing time of 12 noon GMT on Tuesday 12th June.

Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

End of an Era

I have the start of a cold - and I'm trying to nip it in the bud, I doped myself up this morning after I got back from dropping Scott at school early for his residential trip, but I don't feel any better.
Anyway, no point moaning about it :)
Well that's the last GJWTHF event done and dusted. A very early start on Saturday morning, breakfast at Coupar Angus and then on to see all the lovely GJWTHF ladies in Perth.

Group 1 at Kath's table: Amanda, Tina, Anda, Joyce, Anne and Caroline

Group 2 at Anne's table: Doreen, Georgina, Jennifer, Sheila, June, Linda, Shona and Mary

Group 3 at my table: Susan, Cass, Ann Marie, Carol, Pat, Isobel, Kathleen & Fiona


Here they are, all busy creating... Kath's project

Anne's project....

And my project...

 Busy busy...

And here's what they made...

And last but not least here's a pic of all our GJWTHF ladies...

Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

Just One More Sleep

Yup, just one more sleep until the final Girls Just Want To Have Fun crafty day in Perth - it feels like the end of an era, but we're definitely gonna go out in style....
So I'll be having an early night tonight as Kath is picking me up at stupid o'clock in the morning for the hour and a half journey to Perth.
This weekend looks like it's going to be a bit of a blur, with GJWTHF on Saturday - I managed to get roped into helping at the Rainbows 25th Anniversary Fun Day on Sunday afternoon, Scott's away to his P7 residential trip on Monday morning.
So I shouldn't really be sitting on my bum now, but before I go I just want to share a few things.
firstly, I just want to say thank you to everyone who left such wonderful comments for Willow yesterday, she is over the moon that you all liked her colouring, and she'd love nothing better than to take my job from me lol
secondly, you've all heard me mention Diamond White card from the Papeterie for colouring with promarkers and flexmarkers... well Charlotte is offering to send out a pack of 10 sheets plus a voucher for free postage to everyone who leaves a message on the Papeterie's facebook page.
And lastly here are some sneaky peeks of my GJWTHF project, the crafty ladies will be able to choose which colour way they want to use for their project - and to be honest I can't choose a favourite...
here's the blue/green colour option...

And here's the brown/tan colour option....

Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

My Little Protege

Morning folks, what a dreich day again - not as bad as yesterday, it was a real pea-souper, I could barely see the car in front of me on the dual carriageway. Although I have to say there was an alarming number of numpties who didn't have their headlights on, never mind their foglights - but then I truly believe that about half the folk on the road nowadays got their driving licence in a lucky bag!
Haha listen to me, ranting again.
Today I wanted to share something with you. As some of you know, Willow collects promarkers - she is almost as precious about them as I am lol She loves to colour in - I'm forever having to print off pages of digi stamps for her, we're almost through a box of 160gsm Diamond White from The Papeterie in  a few weeks. Incidentally, if you fancy trying out some Diamond White then pop over to The Papeterie's FB page, like them and leave a message asking for a sample pack - Charlotte is giving away sample packs and postage vouchers.
Anyway, I ordered a few new digis from Saturated Canary at the weekend and Willow immediately asked me to print out Double Take for her and this is how she coloured her...

Now what impressed me most about her colouring was the subtle colouring of her cheeks which she had blended in beautifully and the way she's coloured her eyes and lips. She even had a bit of Ivory to shade the folds in the dress, but the scanner hasn't picked that up. 
It looks like I'll have to keep an eye on her - she's already said she wants to be just like me when she grows up and be a craft demonstrator. Might happen sooner than I thought though :) In case you don't know, Willow is my middle child and she is 7.


Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

What a Week

Well that's a week I don't want to repeat - I thought I was going to land up in the loony bin.... I suggest you make yourself comfy and grab a cuppy before you read this, it's quite a saga!!


Last Sunday my washing machine died a particularly gruesome death - now I know perfectly well that you're not supposed to put underwired bras in washing machines, but hey, we all do it... One naughty underwire was dragged out of my bra by the machine, then managed to lodge itself next to the glass door and shredded the rubber all the way round, it also damaged the glass and there were white ceramic bits in there for good measure!! As if that wasn't bad enough the door refused to open, keeping half of my clothes hostage. So I googled it and managed to work out that I'd have to get in through the top to unlatch the door from the inside..... well instead of screws, the top was help on with little bolts which were the wrong size and not very accessible. So after a small temper tantrum I managed to get the top off - it wasn't pretty!! But it got  the job done and I got my clothes out. 

So after I'd emptied it I decided I'd need to get it out of the kitchen to make room for a new one - I forgot that washing machines basically contain a concrete block in them for stability. But another temper tantrum enabled me to drag it through the kitchen, down the hall, over the doorstep and outside - isn't adrenaline amazing stuff?
So this is where the drama started. I checked out a number of sites online and Argos appeared to be the one that could deliver quickest. So I went on and ordered a new machine - all through the ordering process it stated that I would get delivery within 3 days. Then I got my confirmation email which said that I would be contacted within 3 days to arrange delivery.....mmmmm that sounds a bit fishy, but I let it go. Fast forward to Wednesday and I went onto the Argos website to track my order where it said there had been a problem with my order, they had tried to contact me and that I should call on the given number. Now I don't think they tried very hard to contact me because I had no missed calls or messages! Anyway, I spoke to a very nice lady who was very apologetic, she couldnt understand why nobody had contacted me because they couldnt get stock of the model I had ordered until the 20th June!! Well I had a bit of a meltdown but we managed to select another model that was showing as a 3 day delivery, so she said she'd process that and someone would call me later that day to arrange delivery. NOBODY called me on Wednesday. I called on Thursday morning because the online tracking was still showing the same message about there being a problem with my order and the woman I talked to said it would be processed later today and someone would call me. By lunchtime the order status hadn't changed so I called again and the woman I talked to this time advised me that I would get my machine delivered on the 8th June - I told her that wasn't acceptable, I had been told delivery would be in 3 days, and she said no, it takes 3 days to process the order ?!?!? So I had to cancel the order and now have to wait up to 5 working days before the refund goes onto my card. 
Luckily, Graham's wages went into the bank on Thursday, so I started calling all the chain retailers who sell washing machines, to see if any of them could deliver the following day. All the big chains ie Currys, Comet, John Lewis, Appliances Online etc couldn't deliver until the 8th June, some said it was because of the Jubilee, some said it was due to the postcode - incidentally, it's an Aberdeen postcode, not Timbuktoo. So I then tried to find some independents - that wasn't easy, what happened to them all? Called one in Inverurie, he said they couldnt deliver til after the Jubilee, and the second one I called in Inverurie, Sound & Tech - what a star, the salesman said that yes he certainly could deliver next day, in fact if I had called in the morning he would have been able to deliver the same day!!
So I have a new machine, and today I finally managed to get caught up with all the washing.

I had a fab day at The Papeterie on Saturday, thankyou to everyone who came to see me. I'll be back soon with some of my samples, and some sneak peeks for the GJWTHF this Saturday and I'll be demoing some fab new colouring pencils alongside promarkers the following Saturday at The Papeterie, so look out for more info on that.
Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x