SORRY....

Hi there...just to let you know that I won't be able to post for a few days - my daughter was involved in a bad car crash last night and so I will be helping out etc. Helen is still in hospital where I have been all night, she is badly bruised and cut, broken arm, shoulder and she has glass in her eye - but the car did what it had to do and saved her life - that phone call is every mother's nightmare........but she is still managing a weak smile!

Elaine x

HEATING BACK ON!!

Hi there!

Got up this morning and decided that the heating MUST go back on, as it was so cold. My hubby would live in Alaska as he is always warm and prefers the heating off - even in winter!! Guess who won this morning!!

Busy day today, so fortunately made a few cards at the weekend so here is my next one made using bits from the scrap box!

I do know that the CS, Paper and Stamps are all Stampin Up products!

Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel CS - Stamps used Season of Joy/Best Yet - Paper from Tea and Crumpets (Ribbon and gems my own!)

Have a good day!

Elaine x

Congratulations to Sarah B who has been promoted to the next level in the Stampin Up family!

PRETTY MISERABLE....

Gosh, what a change to the weather - absolutely fed up today with all this rain! Good for the garden though..but all the snails and slugs have now come out of hibernation and are heading to all my bedding plants and pots I did at the weekend!

I am hoping that this link works - my lovely friend Julie came to help me with sorting out a few problems with my blog - well with me actually - trying to add things to my blog -especially 'links' - thanks Julie, hope the link to your fab website works!!

Here is a card I made using bits from my scrap box....as any good crafter knows, we hate to throw anything away! I think that the papers are Basic Grey.....other than that I have no idea what else I have used, but pleased with the result!

Enjoy the rest of your day.....!!

Elaine x

CRAFTING.....YOU MUST BE JOKING!!!

I had all good intentions of sitting and doing some cards today, as had done all the cleaning etc yesterday....but no, hubby wanted to sort the garage out and for me to decide what was to stay, bin or go to a car bootie........guess who won??!!

I did however make this one for the Stamp With us weekly challenge.

The theme is shades of 'chocolate' colours (just have to work out now how to link it to their site!)

enjoy your day!

Elaine x

JUST POPPING BY....

Just nipping in to do a quick post in between washing and cleaning (I know on a beautiful day like today...and also on my Wedding Anniversary!!) Just started cleaning a cupboard out and then, you can't stop!! BIG MISTAKE!!

Just thought I would show you what I made for my friend ..

she loves to write letters - hates computers and can't understand why people prefer to type an email rather than write!!

So I made her a small writing set..

I used a sheet of A4 card folded it but made sure I made a small 'spine' so that it would take the bulk of the envelopes and cards!

I used some paper to cover the spine and part of the cover to strengthen it, and punched out some flowers using the SU scalloped punch and some white prima flowers in the centre and a brad to finish off.

I decorated the inside with the same paper as on the cover, but made sure I didn't stick down too tightly at the edges, otherwise there would be no give for the cards/envelopes!

I then made some cards, stamped a small design on the cards and envelopes. I popped some stamps in - posted it off and she LOVED it! (She actually wrote a thank you on one and posted it to me!)

Hope you like the idea...it makes a nice quick personal pressie!

enjoy your day!

Elaine xx

PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT AS I LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK OF MY CREATIONS!!

GOOD OR BAD!

DIFFERENT TECHNIQUE..

Hi there
Hope you are enjoying this lovely Sunday morning.
I regularly go to Art from the Heart at Harrogate where the fantastic Dyan Reaveley
teaches classes (I have learnt everything I know from going!!)I really love learning all the different techniques she shows, so I thought I might have a go at home using the stamping up pads. hese are the cards I have made and I will try to describe how I did them!

I decided to go for something really bright - so I used the Pink Passion and Opulent Orchid pads. I used a piece of the white card and gently using some sponge, rubbed the ink from the pads on to the paper in different places - then made sure they merged together not leaving any lines. The next thing was to flick water onto the paper so that you get little 'droplet' marks - leave it to dry, and then cut up and use as background for your cards!

It makes a lovely effect and it is my FAVOURITE!!! I like to tear the paper and ink the edges too - hope you like them!

Elaine xxx

HERE'S ONE I MADE EARLIER!

Sorry the photos aren't fantastic!

I made this card quite large - I used a piece of Haiki paper and glued across the centre of the card. I then layered strips made together of More Mustard/Old Olive and then some Old Olive ribbon - and attached this centrally on the paper.

I sat and coloured in the SU A TREE FOR ALL SEASONS and then stamped them on to cream card - cut them equally into 4 ...then remembering that Spring is first (not Summer like I originally did!), place the stamped images onto some Old Olive card, and then using dimensionals attach to More Mustard Card. Attach this to the card. Add a sentiment...

Really pleased with the result!

Elaine xx

I'M BACK!!!

Hi there.....sorry didn't get chance to post the winner of the blog as promised last night, but had to take to my bed on Tuesday with a viral infection...so not been on the computer or done any crafting at all (must be poorly!!)

Anyway, I am pleased to announce that the chosen winner for the Blog Candy(by my hubby) was Mrs Dobbo - so if you could contact me with your address and full name - I will post them out to you...CONGRATULATIONS!!

thank you to everyone who left me a comment and a link - I am so grateful!

Elaine x

BLOG CANDY....as promised...

THIS BLOG CANDY IS NOW CLOSED

here is the Blog Candy I promised earlier.

It is a huge bundle of 'all things for crafting' (stickers/die cuts/templates/letter stickers/tags etc)

For a chance to win, please leave me a comment and a link, and the lucky winner will be drawn on Friday 17th April at 8pm

Good luck everyone!

Elaine x

FEELING ALL BRIGHT AND BOLD!

During my afternoon in my workroom the other afternoon, I decided to be brave and go for making cards using the bold brights..bit out of my comfort zone, but was really pleased with the results.

I used the blue and green CS from SU - everything else from my own stash

hope you like!

enjoy your day

Elaine x

............and going back to make more now!

CALL BACK LATER TODAY WHEN MY BLOG CANDY WILL BE POSTED!

Happy Easter!

what a beautiful day it has turned out to be here in Yorkshire...completely the opposite to what the weather man said!!

Just had a trip to the garden centre to get some plants in ready for planting out once we have finished with the frosts.

Yesterday I sat in my workroom for most of the afternoon just playing with stamps and card and generally having a fun time!

I made this sweet little cup as a try out from an old template I found in my box - not sure where it came from, but had to adapt it as for some reason it wouldn't fit together properly, so I rescored the lines and made the base abit bigger and finally, it worked!

so here is my attempt....

I used Lavender Lace CS and some strips of paper from my stash, inked the edges and scallop edged them, and then punched some little flowers out and added them to each panel. Added some purple gems to the centre of each one, and faux stitched round them .

Going to have a go next stamping on the card to see how that works!

Looking at this cup has made me thirsty so off to make a 'real' cuppa!

Elaine x

Oh for a quiet day....

I had hoped for a nice quiet day today where I could do some card making and listen to my music........forget that idea! The plumber came to sort the heating out again......to flush the system through (not me personally thankfully!) so everything has been upside down - no hot water or heating till maybe tomorrow.....so fed up that I haven't been in my work room...

Here is another card I made using bits n bobs I found when clearing out my craft room...

The image is from Crafty Individuals from a sheet called Love Letters. I have also used Lavender Lace and Pretty in Pink CS, Blue Brocade ribbon and the flowers are from my 'new found stash'!!

pop back tomorrow for the next Blog Candy!!

Elaine x

BLOG CANDY WINNER....

Well, my husband has just chosen a number for the winner of the Blog Candy .....and the lucky person is number 9...IZABELA!!! So, Izabela if you would email me your address, I can then send your prize on it's way - my email address is listed at the side bar.

Thank you to all of you who were kind enough to leave me a comment - please come back and try again at the weekend for some special Easter Blog Candy!

As I mentioned...I have cleaned my craft room out and tried to organise it abit better - I also found things I had forgotten I had - so have been creative......you will have to keep coming back for a look to see!

Today though, I have made a little gift bag using some scraps of SU ingredients!

It is only 3 x 3.5 inches high by 3 inches wide. The front folds down to reveal a pocket where you can put your gift (in my case choccies!)

It is really easy to make and if anyone would like the template, I will be happy to share it if you would be kind enough to link my blog to yours! Just email me and I will send to you.

(Sorry the photos aren't really good - still trying with the camera!!)

(Lavender Lace / Pretty in Pink CS - Tea Party Paper - Stamp trees - Sentiment Simply Said - Regal Rose Ribbon)

Thanks and call again soon!!

Elaine x

Cleaning the Craft Room.....

I decided today to clean my craft room and sort out all the rubbish, and try to get everything in some sort of order.......well, it looks clean and tidy, but as for the putting things in order, that was just impossible - TOO MUCH STASH!! so, look out for more BLOG CANDY in the next few days!

Unfortunately, you can't really see this card very well - my camera flash is playing up, so sorry for the disappointing photo.

(Close to Cocoa/More Mustard/Old Olive CS, Haiku papers, Ribbon Pumpkin Pie, Sentiment Simply Said, Stamp Forest Friends)

Don't forget that the Blog Candy finishes on Wednesday - then there will be some more!

Elaine x

What a busy day.... and BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!!

We got up this morning and decided to go to Castleford Freeport to have a look.....unfortunately, no craft shops there - much to Dave's delight! We both got some really good bargains - all the ski wear in one of the shops was all reduced as they were closing the ski section...I picked up a ski jacket for next winter reduced to £15 from £75! (Can't wait for the bad weather now so I can wear it!) We then went in to the Rockport shop (I wasn't all that interested..) and everything was buy one get one free...on everything!! Dave got himself 2 pairs of Reebok trainers for £45 and what a happy chappy he was! When I think about it, it was mostly him that got all the bargains - a suit at Next for £27....2 suitcases at £20 each (from £70)....2 shirts at £1 each from Next---he has such a nose for bargains! I just got a shirt from M & S Outlet..oh, and some choccies from Thorntons!

THIS BLOG CANDY IS NOW CLOSED

Well, enough of all that....here is some BLOG CANDY to give away.....

A MiniPocket Bookz Kit (Laugh Kit) from Top Line Creations

(4x4 Pocket Book - Paper Stackz - Floss - Rub ons - Tiny Tags - card Stars - Eyelets)

To be in with a chance of winning - please leave a comment and a link to your website, and the winner will be randomly selected on Wednesday 8th April at 8pm

Good Luck!

Elaine x

Had a really busy day today, as took my mum out for lunch as a 'belated Mother's Day' surprise. We went out into the Yorkshire Dales to visit....a Craft Shop! Then back nearer to home for some lunch at a lovely little place where all the food is home cooked and the baking is just out of this world. We had a lovely time, and it was nice to have some time together to chat and laugh! I got home and my poor hubby was on his knees in the cloakroom, trying to fix the radiator which has developed a leak. We have had a new toilet and sink fitted, and our son in law has done a fantastic job tiling it all - but we can't get rid of the leak! So, now we have a slow drip, and now the boiler won't work to heat the water and radiators up - so it is freezing. No card making tonight in my craft room, as it will be like working in an igloo!

I think I have cracked the blog with photo!!!

it just shows that if you read the instructions carefully and several times.....it does work!!

Now that I have worked it out - I will arrange a Blog Candy giveaway this weekend...so watch this space.

Elaine x

(PS can't remember what I used for this card as it was made a while ago!)

Excited!!!

I have been waiting for this day- and not because it is April Fools Day - as have many of my SU sisters, to order from the Mini Catalogue....it's so exciting!

Have put my order in, and can't wait for it all to come (tomorrow would be good...but understand it will take a little longer than that!)

Getting stuck in today making more cards for display using the new papers and stamps - have already done some, but in the 'flow' now!

Washing, ironing, housework..............DIRTY WORDS!!! don't say or think about them today!

love Elaine xxx