Mmmm A Chocolate Bouquet ....!!!!

In my quest to find cheap and different Christmas presents for Ellie and Rylee to give this year, i found Chocolate Bouquets!!! Now who's not going to like one of these?

Simple to make, but look effective and the price depends on your pocket!

Chocolates ~ sister got from work £1.00 for box of 12

Box ~ made using free popcorn box template and just turned upside down

Bamboo Skewers ~ 69p for 100 Home Bargains (6 per bouquet)

Tissue Paper ~ Stash

Ribbon ~ 99p Wilko's

Oasis ~ £1.20 a brick and used 1/2 a brick per bouquet

CS ~ Paper Cellar

Tools ~ Nesties, selotape

I shall be wrapping it all in cellophane ... the first i made i've already wrapped in cellophane but it didn't take a good photo. I added a couple of bells to the wrapping!

Stampin' For The Weekend ~ Challenge 25

This weeks challenge has been set by the very talented team member Nancy!
Nancy had created this Sketch ...

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Funky Fairy (i think)

Image ~ Magnolia Winter Stamp Club 2008

Sentiment ~ PC Generated

Snowflake ~ HobbyCraft

Tulle ~ TabbyCrafts

Black Gems ~ 99p pack from Local Craft Store

Tools ~ Nesties, Crayons, Gamasol, Blending Stump No.0, Glamour Dust, Glossy Accents, Carla Craft Corner Punch

DH has just passed his driving test!!! No more having to be sober ... 15 years of sobriety surely has to be enough for anyone LOL! I have 4 bottles of Asti just waiting to be drunk ... oh happy days!

Friday Sketchers #79 & Just Magnolia Week 32

Jeanette fromCanada is this weeks host at Friday Sketchers. The very generous sponsor this week is Michelle’s Scrapbooking & More.

This week the challenge at Just magnolia is to use Masking on your project. The winner will be chosen by Random Generator next week. This week the sponsor is Jacobi Drachten.

CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Freebie Download but i forget where from
Images ~ Magnolia Winter Stamp Club Kit 2008
Tulle ~ TabbyCrafts {here she goes again LOL}
Black Gems ~ Local Craft Store 99p ones
Metal Snowflake ~ Poppycraft last year
Acrylic Snowflake ~ HobbyCraft
Sentiment ~ PC Generated
Tools ~ Crayons, Gamasol, Blending Stump No.0, Glamour Dust, Glossy Accents, Ribbon Slot Punch

Just been looking at the photo of this card and it looks like Tilda has drunk the contents of the glass ... she looks a bit squiffy sat on it. IRL she doesn't look that wonky ... dont they say the camera never lies ... LOL! Perhaps a good idea she does look like she does ... she portrays Ellie better than if she was sat up straight LOL! That is how she generally looks on a Saturday evening PMSL! Thats why i chose it for her ... although i'm sure there'd be nothing left to spill in her glass!

Another Sketch by Hanna ...

Well what a fab day i've had today! The postie brought my special box from TabbyCrafts, i couldn't wait to open it ... and had a little help from a certain little boy, who was almost as excited about the contents as i was LOL! I couldn't wait for him to settle down for his afternoon nap so i could play! But first we had a little bit of a stroke and oooh'ed and aaah'ed over the delish goodies inside .... fandiddlytastic!!!!

As you can probably see there is a bit of a gap at the front of the photo ... thats because Rylee had nicked 2 lots of flowers and gone off dancing with them in his hands ... shouting "Preeeti fwowers" LOL! So missing from the photo are some lilac polyfoam roses and cream baby's breath.

I just couldn't wait to play with my goodies and once his lordship was asleep off i went, using another fantastic sketch from the talented Hanna

CS ~ Paper Cellar
DP's ~ Summer Driggs 14 days of Valentine
Image ~ RAK from ... wait for it ... {crawly bum lick time LOL} ..... TAB!!!! so sorry if all this Tab-loving is making you sick ... but she is one of my bestest blog buddies and does have the most fantastic webshop, that offers THE best service ... PMSL!
Flowers ~ Tabbycrafts
Tulle ~ Tabbycrafts
Pins ~ Tabbycrafts
Sentiment ~ T.... nah LOL ... PC generated
Charm ~ The Works
Tools ~ Woodware Leaf Punch, Crayons, Gamasol, Blending Stump No.0, Sewing Machine, Glimmer Mist, Glamour Dust, Glossy Accents

Papertake Weekly ~ Sketch #28

Brrr how cold is it outside today?! It bloomin' miserable here ... we had planned to feed the ducks with Rylee today, but rain stopped play so we did a spot of Christmas shopping instead LOL! Shopping 3 times this week already ... ok so yesterday morning's grocery shopping doesn't count. But the 3 hours i spent shopping a TabbyCrafts surely must do!!! My gorgeous friend Paula wanted to pay me for the cards that i had made for her to send the hospital staff after her long stay in hospital. Well, i suggested that if she wanted to pay me then perhaps she could go to the TabbyCrafts store and choose something from there for me. Between the 2 of them, Paula and Tab decided that an e-voucher redeemable at TabbyCrafts would be the best thing cos neither of them wanted to send me stuff as a surprise. The first i knew about it was when i got a cryptic text message from Tab yesterday morning, demanding i look at my email there and then ... I was in Morrison's LOL! I did however manage to check my inbox at the Outlaws when we called round for a cuppa on the way home. I was thrilled!!!! Well, can i just say i'm not joking when i say it took 3 hours to make my final decision .... that flippin' basket was filled and emptied more times than you can imagine!!! So now i sit here patiently awaiting my huge parcel {LOL} to be delivered by Juggernaut from TabbyCrafts ... i personally think Tab should bring it herself ... she only lives up the road .... ok up the road, round the corner and a bit further LOL! So how happy am i gonna be this weekend with new stash to play with and its my 23rd Wedding Anniversary on Sunday {i'd be out now if i'd killed him}!

Anyway, enough waffle and on to another fantabulous sketch for Papertake Weekly and this week the challenge is sponsored by Peggy Loves Vintage ...

CS ~ Paper Cellar

DP's ~ Summer Driggs ~ Beautimous

Image ~ Magnolia RAK from the gorgeous Tab ... thanks honey mwahs x {flippin' heck i sound like some right crawly bum licker keep mentioning you name! But hey your worth IT LOL!}

Sentiment ~ PC Generated using a variety of fonts

Black Gems ~ from local craft shop on one of those 99p racks

Tools ~ Gamasol, Blender stump No.0, Pencil Crayons, Sewing Machine

Silver Wedding Anniversary

A few weeks ago i hopped on to the most amazing blog owned by the most talented 13 year old i've ever come across ... Hanna! She makes the most inspiring cards and has created some awesome sketches .... the one below being one of them!

I needed to make a Silver Wedding Anniversary card for my cousin and her hubby off my parents. I was at a bit of a loss for a sketch and remembered Hanna has posted a few the other week. So thats where i went!

CS ~ Silver Pearl card apparently from Create & Craft, but i got it from the MIL!
DP's ~ The Queen of Quirk ~ Spring Chicken free download from 2 Peas
Image ~ Precious Moments Colouring Page
Ribbon & Pearls ~ Stash
Metal Flower ~ from my Stampin' for the Weekend win ages ago!
Sentiment ~ Pink Petticoat Sentiment & Tags
Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Silver Embroidery Thread, Pencil Crayons, Gamasol, Blending Stump No.0, Sakura Silver Stardust Pen, Sakura White Souffle Pen, Diamond Stickles.

In the next few days i may have a Beth update ... its been suggested and is currently being put to Beth, that we should perhaps have family mediation. We're all up for it and are just awaiting on her decision! Cross everything for us please!!!

Just Magnolia Week 31

This weeks challenge is a sketch from Mina.

I've had real fun with this card using my new stash and with a few tips from Tab ... thanks honey mwah's x I do think that i've finally found the medium for me too ... Rylee's Morrison's Pencil Crayons, Gamasol and a blending stump LOL ... i have brought him some more but a smaller pack and in any case they were mine to begin with!!!

CS ~ Paper Cellar

DP's ~ Summer Driggs

Image ~ RAK from my gorgeous buddy Tab ... thanks honey ... love ya lots!

Pearls ~ Kanban Crafts

Ribbon ~ courtesy of Primark PJ's

Pins ~ TabbyCrafts

Big Cream Rose ~ TabbyCrafts

Other Flowers ~ The Crafty Two (local craft shop)

Sentiment ~ Pink Petticoat

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Border punch from HobbyCrap (doesn't have a make name on it), Woodware Leaf Punch, Gamasol, No.0 blending stumps, Bow Maker (courtesy of my Dad ... showed him a picture and told him to make me one LOL ... and he bloomin' well did! Its a bit raw, being made from a scrap of wood and wooden dowelling, but it does its job and it was free ... bonus!!!! Anyhow its a double bow which you probably can't tell from the photo.)

Friday Sketchers #78

Jacque from the USA, is the host for this weeks challenge, which is sponsored by SCACD.

CS ~ Paper Cellar

DP's ~ Free download from last year

Image ~ Video Boy ~ Digital Pencil Too

Snowflakes, Ribbons & Gems ~ Stash

Sentiment ~ PC Generated

Tools ~ Crayons, Gamasol, Blending Stump No.0

Digital Pencil Too Challenge #6

Here's this week's fun sketch challenge that Caryn created for us.

I've had this image printed out and lay on my table for quite a while now and thought that it was about time i paid him some attention.

CS ~ Paper Cellar

DP's ~ DS George Masculine Papers CD

Pearls ~ Kanban Crafts

Ribbon ~ Stash

Tools ~ Scrapworks Rub Ons, Cuttlebug Label thingy Die, Nesties, Pencil Crayons, Gamasol stuff, Cuttlebug.

Cute Card Thursday #86 & Double Dutch DDC #31

Cute Card Thursdays Challenge 86 - Glitter me Silly!
This week's cards/projects need to sparkle with all things glittery.....make them shine!

Following this fab sketch from Double Dutch

I made this card ....

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Grey paper ~ Summer Driggs Winter Wonderland, Patterned paper Joanna Sheen Enchanted Christmas CD

Image ~ Joanna Sheen Enchanted Christmas CD

Gems ~ new stash buy yesterday from the local craft shop .... one of those papers of zillions for 99p

Ribbon ~ Stash

Tools ~ Cuttlebug, Corner Die, Ribbon Slot Punch, Diamond Stickles, Nesties

Its been a flippin' long while since i last got my Cd roms out .... would you believe i didn't realise i had this one and its got some gorgeous images and papers on it too. Its been a journey of rediscovery today LOL ... sure i've been on another journey today ... more of a trip LOL ... oh the fumes from that Gamasol stuff is potent ... had a headache all afternoon. Looks like i might have to pace myself with the stuff ... phew!

I've been asked to make a card by one of Fae's work colleagues. She asked for a wedding anniversary card for her parents. I'm always a little nervous about making cards for other people, just in case they hate it! In this case i hope she doesn't like it cos i just adore it and want to keep it myself to stroke for a while ... much like the yellow one i did for Paula ... which i have asked her to ask for it back when they've finished with it LOL! Plus its my first attempt at an Easel Card!!!

I took inspiration for Hanna's blog. She has made the most gorgeous creations and i love all her little embellishments. Hence my use of press studs, which i think are an absolutely fantabulous idea ... wonder if i could use hook and eye's i have a zillion of those from my dressmaking days!

• CS ~ Stash
• DP's ~ The Birthday Party of Gabriel free download
• Image ~ Winter Magnolia Stamp Club Kit 2008
• Doily ~ from local Pound Shop ~ trimmed to fit
• Press Studs ~ Sewing Shop
• Flowers ~ Local Craft Shop and Glimmer Misted!
• Pearls & Eyelet ~ Stash
• Tulle ~ TabbyCrafts (Glimmer Misted too!)
• Pin ~ (the one on the left ... not the left of the card ... on the right of the card but on the left of the big pearl LOL) ~ TabbyCrafts
• Silver Embroidery Thread ~ Market Stall
• Sentiment ~ Pink Petticoat Sentiment & Tags
• Tools ~ H2O's, Tombo Blender Pen, Whisper Strokes, Watercolour Pencils, Woodware Leaf Punch.

Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge #15

A fab sketch designed by Maggie and sponsored by the Craft Barn.

Another card for Rylee ... that child has a better social life than me ... he appears to be doing a party every weekend at the minute! Fae request another card only last night too for the 21st November when he's attending another little girls party ... floozy!

CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Shabby Princess Harvest Spice
Image ~ RAK from someone very generous, but have forgotten who LOL ... you know what i'm like ... thanks anyway xxx
Flowers, Ribbon and Brads ~ Stash (orange flowers are left over from the bridal bouquets)
Sentiment ~ Word Art free download
Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Tombo Blender Pen, Whisper Strokes.

Few Makes ...

The above card is a fantastic digi image from Sketching Stamper. Absolutely fabulous detail and looks amazing IRL. I printed the image out 3 times, cut out and popped on sticky pads. The images have been coloured with Whisper Strokes with the help of my Tombo Blender Pen. I added a touch of Glamour Dust for added sparkle and some beads and gems for the centre. DP's are a free download called Sheet Music. Just to add a little more bling i matted on to gold card and stitched around the edge with gold embroidery thread using my sewing machine.

I used a sketch for this card but can't for the life of me remember which one it was now!

DP's ~ Summer Driggs Bubblegum & Liquorice
Flowers, Pearls & Ribbon ~ Stash
Image ~ Whiff of Joy Melinda Blowing Kisses
Sentiment ~ Studio G clear stamps
Tools ~ Whisper Strokes, Sewing Machine

I used papers called Winter Wonderland that were a free download but it doesn't say on the TOU who they are designed by!

• CS ~ Stash
• Image ~ RAK from the lovely Jill ... thanks honey mwah x
• Snowflake ~ Cuttlebug Die
• Gems ~ More recycled from the returned Wedding Invitations!
• Sentiment ~ from same kit
• Tools ~ Glamour Dust, Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen, Sakura Stardust Pen.

Ok, that's it .. i'm done now LOL ... thank god i hear you sigh! Looking forward to the next few days cos gonna be grandson free ... Fae and Scott have booked the rest of the week off to use their holidays up! I intended catching up with blog buddies and getting some serious crafting done!!!

Friday Sketchers #77

Jacqueline from the Netherlands is this weeks host and the sponsors are Digital Delights.
I'm just loving last years kissing Tilda and Edwin ... hardly used them last year, but they're definately earning their keep this year LOL!

CS ~ Stash

DP's ~ Summer Driggs ~ Winter Wonderland

Image ~ Magnolia Winter Stamp Club Collection 2008

Gems & Ribbon ~ Stash

Silver Thread ~ Market Stall

Sentiment ~ PC Generated using Frosty Font

Doily ~ Pound shop ... 72 assorted doilies ... got Mum to buy them and stole the small one LOL ... it was slightly bigger than this but i cut round it so that it fit better with the sketch.

Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen, Nesties.

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #76 & Colour Create Challenge #31

For our A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge this week there is a fab sketch created by Sonja.

The colour combination at Colour Create this week has been picked by Karen and is BLUE, WHITE & SILVER.

And my card ...

CS ~ Stash

Mirri Board ~ Crafts Central (before they closed lol)

DP's ~ Raspberry Road Designs ~ Shabby Tots

Image ~ Hanglar Stanglar RAK from ages ago

Flowers, Beadcaps, Charm & Gems ~ Stash

Tulle ~ TabbyCrafts

Pin ~ TabbyCrafts

Tools ~ Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen, Nesties, Silver Sakura Stardust Pen, Sewing Machine, Woodware Leaf Punch

Create 4 Fun ~ Week 44

This weeks challenge is fab sketch designed by Bev. The prize is a Nestabilities Set of Octagons.
CS ~ Papermill
DP's ~ Think Spring free download
Image ~ RAK from ages ago ... thanks to who-ever sent it me x
Ribbon, Flowers, Brads, Beadcaps ~ Stash
Sentiment ~ PC Generated
Tools ~ Woodware Leaf Punch, Sewing Machine, Watercolour Pencils, Tombo Blender Pen, Oval and Round Nesties, Glamour Dust.

Just to let you know that there are a lot of wedding photos on my Facebook if you fancy having a butchers at them.

Are you in need of new stamps but right now cannot afford them - check out

THE AUCTION ROOM

You can swap stamps and rejuvinate your collection! plus its free - no money changes hands!There are currently 5 fab stamps up for swaps!

The Auction Room

Tasha has come up with a fantabulous idea and has created The Auction Room.

Basically The Auction Room is a place to swap stamps that you no longer want with others and therefore generating new life into your stamp collection without having to spend cash. NO MONEY changes hands it is purely a place to play swapsies.

Now the rules are pretty simple if you want the stamp that is up for auction just leave a comment saying what stamps/stamps you would like to swap it with. Each stamp will be left in the auction for 5 days and then the owner of the stamp shall choose the stamp they wish to swap with! It’s all as easy as that!

The first auction will start on Monday 2nd November 2009 at 8:00am

Friday Sketchers #76 & Stampin' for the Weekend #22

Aud from Norway is this weeks Friday Sketchers host, and it's her very first time on the FS blog. The sponsor for this weeks challenge is Sassy Studio Designs.

Stampin' for the Weekend have a fantastic challenge entitled "Back to the 80's" intriguing eh?! They'd like to see us use the following Colour Combination on our cards and projects this week!

AND
Use one of the following Song Titles from the 80s for inspiration
Girls on Film - Duran Duran
Dirty Laundry - Don Henley
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

Obviously, I've chose Dirty Laundry by Don Henley (whoever he is ... i'm an 80's child ... being a teenager during those years and i ain't never heard of that one)

CS ~ Stash
DP's ~ Shabby Princess Splendid Papers
Image ~ RAK from Diane .... mwah honey x
Flowers, Ribbon, Eyelet, Beads, Peel-Offs & Gems ~ Stash
Mesh Stuff ~ My Stampin' for the Weekend Monthly Prize
Tools ~ Sewing Machine, Eyelet Setter, Woodware Leaf Punch, Whisper Strokes, Tombo Blender Pen.

Our gorgeous friend Paula has requested this card for the staff that have looked after her during her stay in Guy's Hospital. Yes folks .... she's been released ... God help us LOL! She asked me to make a couple of cards for her yesterday ... which has since increased to 3 PMSL! I liked the image cos during our phone conversation Paula said she wanted a card that said "Thanks for everything you've done and for your continuing support" what could be better support than a bra?!

Now hopefully Paula will continue to do well as long as she doesn't have or has very few "Peter Pan" moments ... eh Paula?! LOL! I know you'll read this ... so behave yourself or you'll get the lecture, keep doing whatever it is your doing and for God's sake rest ... no decorating that bedroom till next year!!!! Love ya lots like Haribo's LOL!

Truly Scrumptious Challenge #19

The challenge this week is a sketch but is to include a recipe of ....

3 flowers
3 brads

3 gems/pearls

CS ~ Stash (Papermill box)

DP's ~ Summer Driggs Winter Wonderland

Image ~ RAK from last year so no idea who sent it me ... thanks anyway x

Sentiment ~ Pink Petticoat Sentiment & Tags

Brads & Gems ~ Stash

Tools ~ Nesties, Woodware 2" Flower Punch, Dovecraft Small Daisy Punch, Woodware Leaf Punch, Watercolour Pencils, Tombo Blender Pen, Glitz it Sparkles Glitter Glue, Sakura Stardust and Glaze pens.

The wedding went really well yesterday. It was such a relaxed affair. We had a beautiful meal, the cake was delicious ... although could've done with a little more buttercream for my liking LOL! The bridal party looked amazing ... but then it included my girls so it would PMSL! I have uploaded some photos on my Facebook and i will load a couple up on my blogspot when i get chance!