Another big birthday

My mother in law celebrated her 80th birthday last week, I didn't want to go the obviousl route and have a huge 80 on her card. So I decided to go with an idea I got from a card I saw on Pinterest. Here's the one I CASE'd 
And here's my take on it...

 Hero Arts/Sizzix Antique Flowers and Butterflies set - coloured with Distress Markers
Hero Arts greeting
white cardstock from The Papeterie, Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Squares dies, Kaisercraft Timeless papers

I'd like to enter this into:
Cas-ual Fridays - things you see in the sky
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - rainbows and butterflies
Cute Card Thursday - CAS
Paper Crafting Journey - anything goes
Paper Play Challenge - layers
Penny's Challenges - butterflies/bows
Scrapbook Sisters - things with wings
Crazy Amigo Challenge - dies & punches
Die Cuttin Divas - anything goes


Sorry my posts aren't very chatty at the moment - am having to type them at stupid o'clock, and schedule them as I'm not getting the time during the day with the kids :S
Debz x

Last Minute Details

Well, I think we'll all set for tomorrow's GJWTHF at The Papeterie - I'll try to tweet some pics during the day, you can follow me on twitter by clicking on the button near the top of my sidebar. Can't wait to see some familiar faces and some new ones :)
The kitting isn't all done and dusted yet though - I'm away to make a start on kitting for the projects we'll be doing at the craft group in Ellon on Tuesday night.I have a cunning plan, but I need to do a mock up to see if it's going to work - which reminds me, I better go get the supplies out of the boot lol.

I managed to get a commission card done this week too - a friend of mine wanted a "girly card for a 21st birthday", so this is what I came up with. I followed a similar design that I did a wee while back featuring a Saturated Canary image.

Image: Soho from KennyKDownloads, coloured with flexmarkers. I used Scallop Circle Grand nesties to cut the card base and the layers of white and pink card (all from The Papeterie) I used the paisley M-Bossibilities folder to emboss the white panel. Pink bling is from Kaisercraft, butterflies were punched with an EK Success layering punch.

I'd like to enter her into....
Moving Along With The Times - Va Va Voom
Paper Play Challenges - Shaped Card
Fab n Funky - embossing
Flutterby Wednesday - butterflies


Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

The Coo's Tail

Yup, as usual I'm the coo's tail, with my pics and news from the NEC.
Well, I'm sure you've seen all the pics from Kath and The Papeterie, so I'm going to share a couple of mine too. But before I do, the highlight of the trip for me just had to be meeting Mario, if you don't already know Mario is Tim Holtz's business manager and he's responsible for all the BTS (Behind The Scenes) tweets which give us a little insider info on the goings-on of Tim. And my claim to fame is that Mario follows me on twitter :)
So here's me getting my pic taken with Mario, and naughty Sir Tim trying to get in on the action lol

And the one that Kath took after she had ordered Tim out of the shot lol...

Mario very kindly took one of all of us with Tim too....

After our celeb spotting and cosying up with Mario and Tim we got down to the serious business of looking at all the scrumptious new goodies that will be coming to The Papeterie soon, and here are some things that caught my eye...

 This is one of the workshops we attended - loved the project, but the tutor in my opinion left a lot to be desired. We'd have got on better if she'd just given us a photo of the finished project and we'd figured it out ourselves...... oh yeh that's pretty much what she did!!

And these are the quick cards we made at the Spellbinders workshop - which was really fun, and check out the goodies we got ... 

 the new cut, fold and tuck dies

 Ooops, tied that ribbon a bit too tight :S

 Then as if I hadn't had enough excitement, I got home to this wee parcel......

 And inside was the very stamp set that Tim has been using to demo the new Distress Markers

Back tomorrow with some pics of yesterday's alcohol ink class
Thanks for visiting, 
I appreciate any comments 
Debz x

My Sweet Valentine

Morning,
well it's the last day of the kids' half-term/in-service days so I'm taking them to the local Brewsters to play so that I can minimise the devastation at home.
So today I thought I'd share a wee Valentine project that Letraset asked me to do for their blog.
You can find the step by step tutorial over on the Letraset blog.

Image: Making Valentines from Saturated Canary, coloured with promarkers and flexmarkers on Diamond White card from The Papeterie.
The box used to be a Lindor choc box, painted with "Paloma" Annie Sloan Paint, stamped with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink and Kaisercraft grunge texture stamp. Red grosgrain ribbon from stash and fleur de lis nestabilities die to cut the red card (from The Papeterie)


I'd like to enter her into:
Saturated Canary - Red, Pink & White
Celebrate the Occassion - Valentines Day
Creative Craft Challenge - Valentines
Passion for Promarkers - Distressing
Creative Stamp Friends - Valentine
Lollipop Crafts - With Love (non card)
The Crazy Challenge - Valentines Day
Crafting When We Can - Valentine/Love
Dream Valley Challenges - Valentine
Gingerloft - Love is in the Air
Rogue Redhead Designs - stamped background
Sweet Stampin - CAS
Totally Gorjuss - Lurve
Crafty Catz - Valentine
C.R.A.F.T. - Valentine
Thanks for visiting, I appreciate any comments Debz x

Happy Birthday Rachel

I can safely post this card now as I've given it to the lovely Rachel from The Papeterie who is 19 tomorrow. Oh to be that age again!!
It was a great excuse to get colouring one of Krista's Saturated Canary images. I've bought loads of her gorgeous digi stamps but don't seem to have the time to do much crafting.

Image : Becki from Saturated Canary, coloured with promarkers (fine nibs for the details)
gingham paper was a present from the lovely Tina, grey cardstock is stampin' up, white cardstock and diamond white stamping card from The Papeterie, greeting is Inkadinkado, spellbinders oval and lacy oval dies, Hero Arts envelope pattern stamp with Angel Pink memento inkpad and seam binding from Angel Crafts.


I'd like to enter her into :
Saturated Canary - Dies or punches (dies, plus I used a corner rounder punch on the sentiment)
Sentimental Sundays - die cuts
Cute Card Thursday - Music & Dance (sentiment)


Thanks for looking
Debz
xx


p.s. I haven't forgotten to post the embarrassing birthday pic - wait til tomorrow :)

New Year Offshore

As you know, Graham was home for xmas in 2011, but he had to go offshore a few days later and had the task of organising and preparing the New Year meals for the rig he's on - because it's not much fun being in the middle of the North Sea over the festive period, and they're not allowed alcohol for obvious reasons, the festive menus are quite a big deal. Graham is a Chef Manager which means he's in charge of all the catering and domestic staff on the rig and he likes to pull out all the stops when it comes to the festive meals. Although I have to stay Graham's standards are incredibly high all year round.
Now, normally Graham prints off menus to display for the days meals, but at xmas and new year he like to make them a bit special and tarts them up a bit in Powerpoint. And this is the 2nd year he's asked me to add a bit of craftiness to them. 
So I was a bit short on time (he's promised to give me more notice next year) so this is what I came up with..

I kept it simple with the Spellbinders Poinsettia dies and some Craftwork Cards candi.
So I did 15 table menus and 2 display menus for the New Years Day meal and 15 table menus and 2 display menus for the 2nd Jan Buffet.

Sugar Nellie FB Group

Where has the time gone? December has just disappeared in a blur this year and there's been a distinct lack of blogging on here, so I thought I'd share some things before the big day.


Are you a member of the Sugar Nellie Facebook group? If not then, what are you playing at?... you're missing out on loads of sneaky peeks, RAKs and sharing some Sugar. This month there was a xmas card RAK running and I wanted to show you the card I made for Rachel...

 Image is from the HomeGrown range at Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers and flexmarkers
gathered twigs distress ink to "age" the stamped cardstock. Tim Holtz kraft core core'dinations card, sizzix EF, spellbinders poinsettia dies, glamour dust, bling

 some close-ups of the glamour dusted details

I'd like to enter him into:


Cards und More - monochrome
Papertake Weekly - last christmas, card of the year
Passion for Promarkers - celebrations

Rose, Mk 2

Morning, I'm back again with another take on the same stamp I used on yesterday's card.
This is the colour I would love to dye my hair, couple of problems though... 1 would be the cost and 2 would be the level of maintenance. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not into faffing around. I wash my hair, towel it roughly dry, brush it through and that's it... I never ever use heated things on my hair or any other products, apart from the odd semi-permanent dye to cover the ever increasing grey hairs lol
Anyway, you didn't come here to listen to me waffle on about my vanity.
Before I forget... I've been having a bit of a clear out of my rubber stamps - so if you fancy a bargain, have a nosey on my Facebook selling album. I'm selling a selection of Whiff of Joy, The Greeting Farm and Sugar Nellie stamps.

Image: "Rose" - Gorjuss stamp from PI, coloured with promarkers and flexmarkers (Imperial Purple, Wild Orchid flexmarkers)
black and white card from The Papeterie, spellbinders A4 impressabilities stencil to emboss the white panel. Tim Holtz limited edition Fall Distress Ink in Seedless Preserve to blend the edges. The seam binding (also from The Papeterie) was coloured with Imperial Purple flexmarker. 


I'd like to enter her into...
CAS Sunday - flowers (in the debossed background)

Freedom!

yay, they're back to school today and I've scheduled this post so I can get on with tidying and sorting out my craft desk. I've loads to do this week, new mattress arriving for Scott today, have ordered winter tyres for the car and then it goes in for it's 2nd service plus I have to get the place sorted out before I'm off to the SECC this weekend and leaving my mum in charge of the kids, cat, dog and house for a couple of days.
So in the meantime I'll show you some more samples I made for last weekend at Dundee's new Hobbycraft store...

 Image: The Winters Night - Gorjuss, coloured with promarkers and flexmarkers
Finnish star made with Bo Bunny papers from xmas 2010, MS large and medium snowflake punch
I'd like to enter this one into:
Christmas Inspirations - die cuts/punches
Totally Gorjuss - Pastel Xmas

Image: Fox Gloves - Gorjuss coloured with promarkers and flexmarkers
spellbinders dies were used to make the card blank and to cut the layers
marianne poinsettia die, pearls coloured with promarker. glamour dust
I'd like to enter this one into:
Crafting When We Can - Christmas
Secret Crafter - Wrap Up Warm

1st August

Goodness me, where has the year gone, it's the 1st August already - just a couple weeks left of the summer holidays.
I have something exciting to announce tomorrow - watch this space!!
Anyway, as the C word is getting ever closer I thought I'd share the last of my samples from the weekend..
This card featured a very clever little technique called the reverse stencil technique - here's the link to the YouTube video

 Hero Arts greeting, heat embossed onto black card from The Papeterie, inked with silver pigment ink. Parisian Motifs spellbinders die
white card from The Papeterie embossed with cuttlebug snowflake EF, gingham ribbon from Angel Crafts.
I'd like to enter this card into...
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Monochromatic

 Image: Bubble & Squeak from Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers
Papermania kraft card embossed with and cut Parisian Motifs spellbinders dies


I'd like to enter my wee mice into
Less is More - feeling fruity
Card Makin Mamas - food & drink
Charisma Cardz - 4 legged friends


Here's my little protege, hard at work, in my bed.... **edited to add - there is no way on earth I would let my kids touch my promarkers, they know that to touch mum's promarkers is to take their life in their hands. Willow has started her own collection, she does wee jobs round the house to help me and payment is in promarkers**

 and while she was working, this little sneak was sleeping at the bottom of the bed....

Remember to come back tomorrow for some exciting news.

Christmas in July

I'm absolutely shattered after yesterday's marathon Christmas in July extravaganza at The Papeterie. Just want to say thankyou to everyone who popped in to see Kath, myself and The Papeterie gang... Charlotte, Rachel and Alanna
I thought I'd share some more of my samples... today I'm sharing some Xmas Sassy's from Sugar Nellie

 Image: Secret Santa from Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers and glamour dust
papers are Martha Stewart, MS snowflakes punched from papermania glittered vellum, adhesive pearls from stash, nestabilities


I'd like to enter her into...
Sweet Stampin' - Xmas in July
Fussy n Fancy - Xmas in July

Image: Puppy Love from Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers, white card from The Papeterie, embossed with cuttlebug snowflake EF, MS patterned paper, spellbinders snowflake covered in glamour dust

here's her close-up... (for the blonde hair I used Cinnamon, Tan and Buttercup)

I'd like to enter her into
The Sugar Bowl - Kiki's sketch
Crafty Catz - Xmas in July

Christmas in July in Aberdeen

Christmas has come early to Aberdeen and today Charlotte at The Papeterie has organised something very special.
If you are anywhere near Aberdeen today then it is definitely worth a wee detour, Kath Stewart will be demonstrating the new Hero Arts Xmas stamps in the morning and then teaching THE most gorgeous Xmas Configurations box class in the afternoon. I'll be demonstrating Promarkers with their ultra-fine nibs, the new Xmas Gorjuss stamps, Sugar Nellie stamps, some clever techniques with Spellbinders dies and the Grand Calibur and maybe some more new products.
Charlotte has some fantastic special offers in-store to celebrate the launch of Christmas crafting too, so there really isn't any excuse not to come.
Here are a couple of Gorjuss samples I've made...

 Image: Fox Gloves, Gorjuss stamp coloured with promarkers and plenty of glamour dust.
Papermania kraft cardstock and white cardstock from The Papeterie
Grand nestabilities and nestabilities

I'd like to enter my brown GG into...
Fabulous Friday - Circles
Simon Says Stamp - shaped cards

 Image: Snowman with Scarf, Gorjuss stamp coloured with promarkers and plenty of glamour dust
Finnish star made with Martha Stewart papers, snowflakes are MS punched from Papermania glittered vellum

I'd like to enter my snowman into 

Crafty Creations - Xmas in July

Papercraft Star - anything goes

Image: Toadstools, Gorjuss stamps... coloured with promarkers

white and red card from The Papeterie, Hero Arts envelope pattern stamped with Memento ink, Hero Arts greeting, ribbon from stash

I'd like to enter her into

I Love Promarkers - anything goes

Craft Your Passion - Xmas in July

Stampavie Demo Pt 2

I'm back with another 2 samples from my demo last Saturday, but before I show you them I just wanted to remind you all of the Xmas in July extravaganza at The Papeterie this Saturday, believe me when I say, you do not want to miss this..... the amazing Kath Stewart will be demonstrating the new Hero Arts Xmas stamps in the morning and teaching a fantastic xmas configurations box class in the afternoon - not sure if there are any spaces left or not. I'll be demonstrating the new Xmas Gorjuss Girls stamps, Sugar Nellie stamps, Promarkers with the new ultra-fine nibs and some Spellbinders Nestabilities techniques. AND Charlotte has some fantastic offers on Xmas goodies ALL DAY. If you can travel to Aberdeen, then you MUST pop in.
So here's my first card...

 Image: Marguerite taking Ruben for a walk from Stampavie (Sarah Kay) coloured with promarkers (definitely needed the ultra fine nibs for this one)
Papers are Basic Grey - Green At Heart, brown card from The Papeterie, green cord from stash.

 I'd like to enter her into...
Sweet Stampin' - fashion
Crafty Catz - no pink or blue
Stampin' for the Weekend - paws for thought

Image: Fairy Kiki from Stampavie (Mo Manning) coloured with promarkers (glamour dust on wings)

Kanban gingham cardstock, black cardstock from The Papeterie, labels 16 nestabilities, Fiskars flower punch and bracket border punch, PI sentiment and Ranger enamel accents for the flower centres

I'd like to enter her into....
Come & Get It Challenge - MYO Flowers
Corrosive Challenge - all about kids
Moving Along With The Times - cute & cuddly with a punch


Just want to thank all those who noticed yesterday was my 1 year anniversary of giving up smoking - it has been a whole year since I had a cigarette and quite honestly I amazed myself. All my friends thought I would be the last person to ever give up, but I did it and I'm so chuffed. So my next project is to lose all the weight I put on by stopping smoking lol

Stampavie Demo Pt 1

Oh where does the time go? I haven't blogged in a wee while, the last week has gone by in a bit of a blur - and the next couple of weeks are going to be the same.
So what have I been up to? well this Saturday past I was demo-ing Stampavie stamps and promarkers with ultra-fine nibs and teaching a class at The Papeterie. So I thought I'd share a couple of samples today and a couple more tomorrow. I must apologise for the glare on some of the pics, I had already bagged them up before I remembered to take pictures.
This is the first stamp I chose - and the reason is, it reminds me of Princess Pepsi...

 Image: Spring has Sprung from Stampavie (the Laurence Collection), coloured with promarkers
white card from The Papeterie, embossed with cuttlebug swiss dots and Tim Holtz Rays texture fades folders. Kraft cardstock from Papermania, MS border punch and nestabilities

thanks to the ultra-fine nibs for the promarkers, I can now colour all the fine detail on stamps like these.
I'd like to enter this one into:
Diecut Dreams Challenge - 4 Legged Animals
Hooked On Craft Challenge - Cute and Cuddly
Stamp With Fun - Friends
Fab n Funky - animal magic


I don't know about you, but the hardest cards to make, in my opinion are ones for teenage boys. Now I don't suppose they would think my sentiment is particularly clever, but I hope that they would like this card...

 Image: Paul Texting from Stampavie (Mo Manning), coloured with promarkers
Papers are all MME Lime Twist - Out of The Blue, black card from The Papeterie, letters are Kaisercraft, buttons and twine from stash

I'd like to enter my texting teen into...
Fabulous Friday Challenge - buttons
Totally Papercrafts - One for the boys
My Mums Craft Shop - For A Teen


Today is my baby's birthday, she's 5! ok I know that's no longer a baby really, but she's my youngest and will always be my baby. She's had a terrific day and got thoroughly spoiled. Nana and granda were round with my nephew Kyle and of course there was the obligatory cake.
So here's a few pics of Faith's day...