Sorry....

Hi everyone...

I bet you thought I had dropped off the face of the earth!

This is a really hard posting, but has to be done.......

I am giving up Stampin Up! as a demonstrator, mainly due to my continual bad health. I have thought long and hard about it and discussed it with Jules my SU mum (who has been absolutely fabulously supportive), and also my hubby, and now feel I must stop, as I don't know how I feel day to day.

I am still going to support Jules and hopefully attend her classes and still see the other Jems, but I can't promise to do workshops and parties if I have to cancel all the time because I am not well.

So, to all those who have supported me in any way...thank you for being such good friends/customers/blog readers etc etc!!

Who knows, this time next year I may be fit and well again (I SO hope I will be) so could re-start as a demonstrator.....watch this space for the return of THE IDLE CRAFTER!!!

with love and thanks to all

Elaine xxx

I'M BACK....

Hi everyone!

It's so lovely to be back in this cold and wet country!!

We had the most fantastic time - and I celebrated my birthday at a show called the Fantasmic Show in Disney's Hollywood Studios....it was wonderful...fireworks, water displays and all the characters...just magical!! I was then dragged out and the whole auditorium (2,000 plus) sang Happy Birthday to me!!! so it was just so much fun!

And I was only poorly for 4 of the days there - and was able to sit outside in the sunshine whilst feeling dreadful!

my lovely birthday cake which hubby arranged at this fabulous Italian Restaurant..they sing Happy Birthday in Italian...it sounded so lovely!
My god daughter Lauren, was just in awe...and was the giddiest Tinkerbell I have ever seen!

she is just Tinkerbell mad!!

with another favourite of hers...Daisy Duck...

Dave Lauren and me ...the trees were just fantastic!

The fireworks at Magic Kingdom were unbelievable - the castle lights changed colours all through the evening, and when the fireworks started, Tinkerbell came down a wire from the point of the castle above our heads and all the way down to the far end of the park!

the whole evening just made me so emotional....you get so caught up in all the magic and excitement......still a big kid at 52!!!!
As for Crafting...haven't managed to do a thing yet...but hope to get on and do some this week, but hubby hurt his back yesterday and is in agony today, so looks like I will be helping him out, as he can hardly walk, can't drive and when he manages to sit down, he is in pain and then can't get up - he is so stubborn though and won't stay still and rest it for 24 hours.... but that's my Dave!!

Thank you all too for the lovely cards I received - all beautifully made and look lovely on my mantlepiece....you are kind!

love Elaine xx

Love you and leave you!!

Just a note to let you all know that I haven't abandoned you, but will be on holiday in sunny Florida for 2 weeks from Monday...and I haven't been able to get 2 weeks worth of blogs and photos ready to post, so The Idle Crafter will indeed be ....Idle!!

will restart again once back and recharged and raring to go!!

love Elaine xx

Anf the winner is...

JUST A QUICK POSTING TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE WINNER OF THE BLOG CANDY DRAWN BY MY HUBBY IS...........

Sue from USA

so Sue if you could contact me asap with your details ..I can get this bundle into the post for you

pop back later for some more photos

Elaine x

Oh Christmas Tree....

Good morning.....what a horrible one it is too...

I have been out to do the shopping and got soaked...mostly by a lovely gent who drove really fast through a puddle which soaked me...and he had a smile on his face!! If only I could run fast!!!

So, had to come home and get changed....and feel really out of sync now with everything I was going to do today...I go away on holiday next Monday for 2 weeks, and haven't done a thing yet!

But, I did make some Christmas cards yesterday...quite a batch of them actually!

I used the Wondrous Gift stamp set and made pots using different bits of the Merry Moments Christmas papers...and some of the retired Christmas papers

I glittered the stars with SU glitter and put a bow on the pot!

I got quite carried away and made over 20!! They were so fast to make...quite a production line we had running with my daughter cutting out the pots for me!

DON'T FORGET IT IS THE LAST DAY FOR MY BLOG CANDY...JUST SCROLL DOWN TO ENTER!

Will post the winner tomorrow

Elaine x

BLOG CANDY

TO WIN THIS BLOG CANDY........

* leave me a comment

* add your name to my followers list (unless you already are!!)

* link my blog to yours

CLOSING DATE IS 16th NOVEMBER AT 6pm

I have photographed the blog candy as one above and then split for you to look at easily! The winner wins everything in the photos

Paper Mania and Making Memories embellisments

Jolees

6x6 Paper Pad and stickers and embellisments

GOOD LUCK!!!

Chocolate Tree Treats....

Hi there!

As promised here are a couple of the little Tree Chocolate treats I made... the photos are not good sorry!!

they are made using the Christmas papers and measure approx 3 x 2 inches

Great for using all those small bits of paper up!!

Here is the teeny bar of chocolate I used!!

Have just made another 25 for Children in Need Day on Friday and will be making the same again for the Church fair on Saturday...so quick and easy once you get going!

Hope you like..

Love Elaine x

LAST DAY TOMORROW FOR THE BLOG CANDY....CHECK BELOW!!!

The Magic Key....

Hi everyone!

how is your day going? Hopefully you are inside nice and warm, away from this horrible weather with the wind and rain and storm brewing up.....horrid!!

a good time for crafting though!!

I was thinking back to when my girls were small (over 24 years ago now..) and the problem we had with our house...no chimney and of course at Christmas, Santa needs the chimney! So, I made a special key (which you can buy all over now) and we hung it on the door and the girls were really happy with this..........as Santa could let himself in and leave the presents!!

I tried to remember what I made, but it was so long ago...anyway I decided I would use a door hanger style pouch and make a key to go in it...then it can be hung on the door!
I used the Merry Moments Christmas papers and some gold card for the key. I found a poem on the computer which with some alteration was perfect.

I so enjoyed making this and it brought back so many happy memories.

My eldest daughter Nicola called this afternoon, and when she saw it, she was so excited and wants me to make her one....she is only 27 years old!! But if I make her one, then Helen my youngest (at 25 years old) will want one too!! Better get cracking then!!

Right, off to make the tea and hope to see you tomorrow with some little Christmas treats to hang on the tree...

Elaine xx

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE BLOG CANDY !!

Chocolate Coins....

Hi there and hope you are not having an unlucky Friday 13th!!

I have been sat making some little gifts for our Christmas Fair at Church for next Saturday. I bought some lovely big Chocolate Gold Coins and thought about adapting a template I had made for something a while ago. I customised it to fit 3 coins and then one for 1 coin....and I am rather pleased with the result!!

I used Old Olive and Real Red CS and the new Christmas papers Merry Moments

I used the round scalloped punch and circle punches to make the embellishments

this is the size of the gold coin I used!!

and an 'arty farty' side view!!

Once I had got the template correct.....it was really quite easy to put together...so I am going to have a go making afew more tomorrow in other colours! I am also going to make a mini one to fit a small gold coin in to use as a tree decoration, so hopefully I will have photos of that tomorrow too!

thanks for popping by!

Elaine xx

DON'T FORGET MY BLOG CANDY LISTED JUST BELOW!!!

Advent.....and counting!!

Hi everyone!

Well, feeling much better today....I missed yesterday as didn't feel too cracking again, but had started to make this Advent Calendar/Box, so finished it off this morning in the early hours...listening to the owl hooting and the fox trying to find food in the garden....what a noisy night!!

I have moved my workroom (yes..again!) and now my workroom is a spare double bedroom, and all my craft items are in the small spare bedroom, and I am working upstairs (my house is a split level..sleep downstairs and sit upstairs!!). Having sorted out through my boxes a couple of weeks ago, I found a bag full of matchboxes which I must have bought to make something....don't know what....anyway, I thought I would make a small Advent Box using these...I have seen it in a magazine somewhere but can't remember where, so did my own take on it, using Stampin Up Christmas Papers and stickers from the Scrapbooking Set called Christmas Jingle which is such a fantastic bargain...2 sheets each 12x12 Cardstock in Chocolate Chip/Real Red/Old Olive/Very Vanilla... 3 sheets 12x12 of 2 designs of double sided paper and 6 sheets of self adhesive die cut stickers (2 of each design) all for £15.50 ......I have used this set on an 6x6 album...made cards....made this Advent Box and I still have lots left!!

Difficult to explain how I made it quickly...but if you would like instructions, please email me on riolaw2009@yahoo.com and I will endeavour to explain!!

Now....spot the deliberate mistake .......I have just realised I have forgotten to put the numbers on the drawers!!!

Check posting above for Blog Candy!!

Have a nice day

Elaine x

Hi....

Sorry I have not been blogging these past few days....been out of sorts again (just my usual illness!) For those of you who think 'gosh, she always seems to be ill'...yes I am! It's all connected with when I had breast cancer and there are days when I feel really bad and take to my bed....I don't even feel like crafting on these days....so I must be poorly!

Today I feel a little better, so I hope to be doing something later in the way of card making.

My real reason for coming on today, was to congratulate my lovely SU mum Julie on her wonderful achievements at the SU Convention in Germany over the weekend....you can read all about it here she is such an inspiration to me and to the team - it's very well deserved!

Right, off to do some catching up with bits'n'bobs!

Elaine x

PS Giving away some Blog Candy tomorrow....

LOVELY AFTERNOON...

I have just spent a lovely afternoon with some really nice ladies in Luddenden Foot, in Halifax doing a workshop. We made 2 cards and a small gift box, and this was the Christmas card we made....the stamp is from Silent Night and we used Heat and Stick powder and then Dazzling Diamonds glitter....boy did we sparkle!! It is so easy to use, and the effect is fantastic! So, when the SU parcel with their goodies arrives in a few days, that part of Yorkshire will be glittered to the hilt!!

We used Handsome Hunter CS, and some Red, and Very Vanilla and Always Artichoke ribbon. The image was stamped using Close to Cocoa, and a Versamark Pad to adhere the Heat and Stick powder to - heat it up and add the glitter and then heat again to set...

So, thank you to Chris for having me, and all the lovely girls...Susan, Susan, Lynn, Clare, Julie, Angela and Liz, for being such wonderful students!!!

Elaine x

Pinky Purpley Christmas...

Hi there..

I made this at 5am this morning...couldn't sleep, so it was a toss up between ironing or making a card...!!The camera hasn't picked the colours out very well (still having problems with it, but hoping that Santa will be thinking about little old me on Christmas Day...hint hint!).I went for a completely different colour theme and way out of my comfort zone, but I was so pleased with the end result.

I used Passion Pink and Orchid Oppulance CS - stamped the 'branch' using Baroque Motifs. I then stamped the square snowflake from Perfect Presents in the same colours as above onto white card. I then sponged all over using these colours and punched 3 circles out using the new punch out this time (the larger circle 1 and 3/4") - sponged round the edges using the same colours. Arranged them on the card - used the silver cord from my stash and then accented the snowflakes with Dazzling Diamonds.

So, might get up early again tomorrow as my mojo seems to kick in then!

Elaine x

More Autumn......

Good morning!

everything here is very quiet today.....both hubby and I have lost our voices, so instead of wasting energy squeaking at each other...we are either just ignoring or doing sign language!!! Poor Dave, since he retired from the Police last November he seems to be picking up viral infections, colds and flu etc...and then sharing them with me - and of course as I have no immune system, then I catch them all! So, off to my workroom for some r and r, and he is sat watching TV...unheard of for him as he is always doing something!

Anyway, enough about us... I made this card yesterday using another new SU stamp set, which is from the Hostess section and a level 2..

I used Pumkin Pie and Old Olive CS (althought the Old Olive looks like it has been bleached, but it is just the photo!!)

I stamped a full sheet of white card all over with the stems in various shades of green, and then some of the smaller flowers in Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Bashful Blue and So Saffron. Stamped some of the bigger flowers and cut them out and added them using the 3D dimensionals. I have enough left from the stamped sheet to make about 3 more cards!

It's a lovely set and so versatile....and if you would like to host a workshop, then this could be one of your choices (providing that over £300 of products is sold...sounds alot. but not when people see how good they are and purchase lots and lots!!)

Just contact me on riolaw2009@yahoo.com

Right, off to finish something which I have been making for a friend, so will post pictures of this later....enjoy your day!

Elaine xx

Autumnal......

When I first saw this stamp set in the new catalogue...I wasn't all that keen, but when I saw the wonderful creations made on other SU blogs, I decided to buy it - so glad I did!! It is called Autumn Days and is £19.95 (really good price!)

I used the leaf stamp and stamped in various colours of autumn ..... Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa and Barely Banana. I used Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie CS, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie ribbon and the sentiment is from The Circle of Friendship stamp set.

I have made about 10 of these now as so enjoyed making them yesterday!!

Good to get the camera back and working....just need to get a decent photographer now!!

Enjoy your day

Elaine x

No photos.....

Hi everyone

Sorry I have been missing in action again, but have had another horrid virus and it has left me absolutely drained....I even had to cancel an evening we had planned with the Jems...a Pizza night and get together, but felt so dreadful, that had to cancel....but hopefully we will rearrange it and have it soon!

I have no photos for you, as my camera isn't working - I tried yesterday with my phone, but the photo was not good, so didn't download it on to the blog!

Hopefully, hubby will be able to do something with it today, and then I can get back to normal! I have missed blogging...but watched so much rubbishy daytime TV! How sad is that!

take care Elaine x

Greenhouse Garden...

good to be back....sorry I have been very remiss in blogging this week, but not been too well with this viral infection of cough and cold which my darling grandaughters shared with me!
I haven't felt like doing much in the way of card making, but last night I actually got myself together and made 3 cards!! The one below I have made before, but liked it so much did another one!!

I have actually copied it from the SU catalogue on page 43, and it is using the Greenhouse Garden stamp set and En Francais background stamp.

I absolutely loved making this card and this stamp set is one of my favourites of the new ones which have been brought in for this coming year. The set is £22.95 and the ideas are endless!!

I stamped the background using En Francais in Bashful Blue, then stamped flowers and stems using Certainly Celery, Regal Rose and Ballet Blue. I tore the stamped image across the top and inked the edge in the Ballet Blue, then mounted it on to Pretty in Pink CS, and then on to Ballet Blue CS. I mounted the whole bit onto a white card. I stamped a small piece of white card with the En Francais, and a couple of flowers, cut it to size and mounted it on to the pink and then the blue CS. I stamped 2 flowers and cut them out and used a gem brad from the Circle Ice set for the middle of the big one.

I really, really love this card and will do some variations of colours with it

Hope you like!

Elaine x

I'm back...

hi everyone....so nice to be back in this cold and windy city!! we landed at Manchester yesterday on our return flight from Malta......was it rather bumpy.....YES IT WAS!!! and rather frightening too, but at least we are back safe and sound thanks to the wonderful pilot!

and back home to the NEW CATALOGUE! woo hoo! sooooo excited about all the new products in it, and I can't wait until the box of goodies arrives....hopefully in time for my Catalogue Launch Party this Thursday!

Sorry.....no pictures for today, but there will be some tomorrow!

Elaine x

LAST CHANCE Stamping Up products...

THIS POST WILL STAY AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG ....

so please scroll down for daily blogs!!!

THIS IS THE LIST OF 'LAST CHANCE' PRODUCTS FROM THE 2008/09 CATALOGUE!

ONLY AVAILABLE FROM 1st to 30th SEPTEMBER

to look at the 'Last Chance List' please click HERE ....

There are some fantastic offers on with 25% and 50% off some of the products - I will be placing orders at the end of the week, but don't panic if you can't order before then as I will be placing more orders throughout the month

Please contact me on riolaw@freeuk.com

Elaine x

Holiday time......

Hi everyone!

this will be my last post for a week as going away to Malta for a lovely holiday!! (hopefully!!)

wanted to share this little box and gift I made with my grandchildren...

We used Sweet Always papers and then used a shot glass (plastic) with a lid , which I had ordered from ebay (50 of them to use at a workshop with the kids!) I have put chocolate raisins in this one...but when I do the workshop with the children it will be coming up to Christmas, and we will use the new Christmas papers coming out on the 1st October, so will be using the chocolate raisins as 'Reindeer Droppings'......kids humour!!

They were really fun and quick to do....and I even adapted a template I had to make it!

Right...that's all for now - see you in a week!

Elaine x