And now a modern one!

Hi All

Hope everyone has had a good weekend. I'm still full of this cough and feeling very chesty - I've not been over the doorstep! But I think it's the only way to get rid of it...

Now... this card is moving totally away from the digi images - but was bought in March this year, before I'd discovered them! It's a Penny Black stamp - called Fantasy - which I bought at the Harrogate papercrafts show, and had in mind to use for Christmas. I saw it used with the Liquid Pearls ............ and I loved it, so have had a go this weekend. What do you think? Materials used are pretty self explanatory, but are Bazzil, Versamark Pad with white embossing powder, shaped corner rounder, then Organza ribbon. The Liquid Pearls are used to on the dots! I've hand written the sentiment to it could be personalised for those people that I sell my cards to.

What do you think? Would love to hear your comments... When I used the Liquid Pearls, I thought of Sarah over at Stressed Stamper - yes YOU Sarah.... who has the most massive collection of stickles and liquid pearls that I've ever seen!

Had a bit of good news yesterday too - the place that's selling my jewellery and knitted brooches rang me for MORE! Apparently they're selling well! I'm SOOO chuffed!

Nearly bedtime for me now

Take care all

Christine x

Here comes Santa.....

Good Evening Ladies

(Cough, Cough)- can't get rid of this cold and now it's on my chest! I'm rattling a tad like a snake when I breath.... ah well......

Right...... onto the card! This one is using the LOTV image Father Christmas - which has got to be one of my all time favourite images. It really puts me in the mood for thinking about Christmas. I've used my copics again to colour and for the shadow.... added loads of glitter for the snow and on his hat etc, used a corner rounder, then mounted it onto red card. The DP is from Memory Box Mistletoe Collection and again, that's mounted onto more red card. The sentiment was a freebie from Bizzy Becks and I resized it until it fit one of my nestibilities. I used my Martha Stewart holly punch and added a few red stickles dots for the berries. Then... i played with the bling button on photoshop to create the sparkly bits - I get a bit carried away with that! Right......... i think that was it...

I'm meeting a friend tomorrow and going to see the Crafts for Christmas show at Harrogate (if I'm up to it that is...) - was really looking forward to it, so hopefully I'll manage to get round before oxygen is required! hehe! Thanks for all your get well wishes - you're a lovely lot!

OK.... back to the settee and my hottie bottle

Bye for now

Christine x

Got this from Christine..

Hi Girls

I just received this from Christine over at Nanaseaside - such a lovely lady - thank you Christine!

So now, I have to follow the instructions... Three things that are different about me.... hmmmm..

now........ let me think........ ......... ok, what about these.....

1) errrr ..........I lived on the Isle of Wight for seven years and loved it....

2) hmmmmm......... I'm a very soppy individual - I cried watching Coronation St last night....

3) really struggling now...... ahhhh.... a good one.... I've met up with some of my fellow bloggees... I even met up and went to stay with a lady in America who I met on the internet through our love of cardmaking.... that was over 10 years ago, and we've stayed the best of friends and have visited each other lots since!!

Now....... five people to send on to

Nic at Coops Cluttered Corner

Sarah at Stressed Stamper

Mags at Madcap Manor

Lizzy at Lizzy's Crafty Place

and

Emma at Crafty Emma's

There are loads of lovely blogs that I follow and who give me tons of inspiration - but I couldn't put them all on here!

I'm on with another Christmas card design at the moment - though struggling cos of this cold/cough..... so it may be a couple of days before I get in on here. Anyone know of a good remedy for a really really bad cough? I sound like I've been smoking 40 a day - and I haven't touched one since I was 30! Answers on a postcard please.... LOL!

Take care all

Hugs

Christine x

Sunday's offering...

Hi Girls

Well, the fun I've had with this image!!! Ain't she gor-juss? I coloured her about a week ago, but have been waiting for just 'the right' DP. And I found it! It's a Graphic 45 paper that I bought from Art from the Heart - just right for what I wanted.

The image is from Just Inklined, and right now she is free from their website. She is called Maude Merry Christmas! I coloured her with my trusty copics - and I've got to say thank you to Peri for the shading she did on this image on her website... which helped me enormously.... at first I tried to colour her boots black... but it lost the laces etc, no matter how many different shades of gray/black I used. Then I dug out my Martha Stewart Holly punch for the embellies.... lots of glitter on the berries, and of course, her hat and glasses.... a touch of diamond glaze for her glasses, and I was on a roll! I bought the ribbon at a local remnant shop - just lush enough for this card I thought.... then finished with the ticket - one that I altered that I got free from Caz at some point or other...

Anyway - I'm full of cold today, and feeling sorry for myself - so thought I'd just put this up on here cheer myself up! Hope you like!

Christine x

Simple Snowman... (or should that be Simon??)

Hi Girls

Here's a very simple card for today - not too much colouring (as you can see!!), so quite easy to produce. Soooooooo how come 'simple' cards are sooooooo difficult to design? This one felt like laying an egg....... it actually HURT! I wander around for hours with pieces of card in my hand, or searching to the back of cupboards for embellishments I KNOW i've got somewhere, or ribbon that may just be the right shade ..... my poor OH doesn't know what I'm up to! He just knows to nod when I put what I think may work under his nose.... (especially when he's playing a computer game.... sometimes I'm not actually sure he SEES what I put there! lol! He's too concerned with shooting the next monster or whatever that is going to pop out at him!

Anyway - it's done now... and believe it or not, is on a navy blue background - though in the photo it looks nearly black. I used an image that came free from PapierSalat Blog - and did what little colouring there is with my copics. Then I hand wrote the sentiment.... that was SCARY! Then I distressed the edges of the image with scissors (new technique for me - first time I've used it... ) I used my snowflake embossing folder for the background and put it all on navy blue cardstock. I finished it off with a snowflake charm from PinkGem Designs, held on with a bit of 'eyelash wool' that I've had in for years... I'm still not sure about the whole thing - think that's because I see such wonderful creations on all your blogs... but there you go..... it's done.

It's going to be cold here in the next few days...... and I've not been too well with diverticulitis again - so think I'll be getting a few more cards done after I've 'battened down the hatches' to stop the wind getting in tomorrow! LOL!

Bye for now - and as are friends say in the US - Happy Hump Day!

Christine x

Here I am again....

Hi again


Well on this windy Yorkshire morning, I thought I would spend a little time at the computer and upload another of my LOTV images... this time Decorating the Tree. You can almost feel that little boy's excitement as he decorates! I used the usual copics for the colouring and shading, then bedded on card corner rounded - before mounting on a nestie! Think the glitter card behind maybe a little too much - but what the heck!


Talking of glitter..... I have learned how to add the 'starry bling' on my glitter in photoshop which makes it SHINE! Wowwwwww now I can't be kept away from the button! I want to 'bling' everything! So next time you see a photo of me - you'll probably see that starry bling on my hair........ my teeth...... my cheeks..... probably anything that shines!! But you'll know the truth..... hehe!!

Happy Friday everyone!

Hugs

Christine x

More....

Hi Girls

Well I'm really getting going at the Christmas cards now.... This card uses a Lily of the Valley image - Skating Along

What a lovely image to colour - I used my trusty Copics of course..... then gave the shadow with my cool gray pens. I rounded the edges with a corner rounder - then matted and layered onto DP with a base of Bazzil dotty (can you tell I love that dotty card?)

I used my floral poinsettia punch for decoration with a bit of red glitter glue in the centre, then finished the whole image with glamour dust! Yessssssssssss I could put glitter everywhere .... the image just cried out for it!

Well hope you like - I'll be adding more later tonight - or maybe tomorrow. I've been concentrating on getting them done rather than blogging them - well that, and trying to make curtains for my lounge.... oh and getting a man in to clean the stain off my carpet left after my daughter threw (accidentally) her pudding (complete with double cream) over it last Sunday! The carpet is only two months old........ (sniff...)

Anyway, bye for now - hugs to all and I look forward to your comments as always.

Christine x

Getting in manufacturing mode.....

Hi girls

Just thought I'd share with you the first of my Christmas cards this year that I make for 'special orders'.... I end up doing lots of different samples that people can order from, but make a few of each so that I'm not frantic in November. I learned the first year I sold Christmas cards, that the worst thing to do it wait until you have the orders! It's a mad panic then to get them ready.


Anyway - this is a nice easy one to get me in the mood! All I used was a glitzy spray with lots of mica onto plain brown card. I let it dry then punched out circles - then coated the top of each circle with 3D pearl white paint in a sort of dribbly effect. I punched little holly leaves and put them on the 'pud' when the 3D paint was still wet. To finish off the pud, I added some little berries to the holly with stickles, then sprinkled some prisma glitter onto glue applied with my quickie glue pen. As they say....... 'simples'! All that was needed then was to matt and layer onto copper mirri card with 3D pads, then onto copper glitter card - then all onto white dotty bazzil, which in turn went onto kraft coloured card! Phewwwwwwww .... but I like the effect! I decided it didn't need a sentiment on the card front... but the inside says 'so bring us some figgy pudding.....'


Anyway...... different type of card to my normal digi images (which are also in a bit of a production line at the moment), but hope you enjoy all the same. Let me know what you think - I love to read your comments.


Have a good weekend all

Bye for now

Christine x

I'm still around......

Hi All

Well I've had my head down making more jewellery for my outlet - and more knitted brooches, so haven't had much time for card-making lately! But, it was the little girl next door's birthday today, and when I saw Mo Manning's Ruby digital image, it reminded me so much of Abby when she dresses up that I had to do it for her!

Hope you like her. I've just used Bazzil pink swiss dotty for the base, then a nestie to give the shape. I coloured the image with my copics, and added glitter (of course!). I corner-rounded the image, sponged some pale pink around the edge, then mounted it onto the background. Lastly I added some retro-flowers. I kept it very simple, as I didn't have a lot of time to produce the card....

I'm now getting on with my Christmas cards - I do so many that I tend to keep them quite simple too.... will show you when I get them done! My desk is surrounded by Christmas puddings at the mo! (not real ones!)

Hope you're all keeping well, and I'll try to keep up with my blogging more, I promise!

Hugs

Christine x

My first award

I got a lovely surprise on Sunday when I was sent this award by Sarah at Stressed Stamper - thank you so much Sarah! So I'm now passing it on to some of my favourite blog-ees....... Enjoy!

Nana Seaside

Coops Cluttered Corner

Jak Heath

Pauline's Card Cupboard

LOTV'S Ideas to Inspire

Bloggabella

Paper Possibilities

Quixotic Cards

Stuff

Pinkpuds

Madcap Manor

Send this award on to those blogs you love to follow and get inspiration from. Even though I've not been too active on my blog lately - I still love looking through all that I follow - I do it first thing in the morning and it sets me up for the day!

Bye for now

Christine x

Sorry not been around......

Hi all

Just a quick apology for my lack of posts.... but I have a good excuse! We've had a bit of a frantic week working up to my daughter flying out to Bermuda last Wednesday...... you know how worried I was, and how I'm going to miss her (even though I still have my other fabulous daughter living close-by!)...... well she's there now and appears to be having a fabulous time so far! She was going for a cruise round the Island today, and is actually starting work tomorrow. She is an accountant and is working for Deloitte over there for a couple of years -her office looks fabulous (pictured) - as does the whole Island! She's told us how incredibly friendly everyone is there, and seems to have found friends already - some that have joined at the same time as her. Sooo now she has to hunt for accomodation.. hopefully she'll get somewhere big enough to put her Mum up when I go visit!

Anyway.... I've just about got used to the fact that she's not a few miles down the road now and am really glad and proud she's happy over there! I've also put a pic on here of her favourite teddy from when she was little - who appears to have missed going in the suitcase! He had his little bag ready too.... so I've given him a tissue and cuddled him up to a large Piglet to be looked after till she gets back for a visit at Christmas!

Bye for now

Christine x

Not card related - but what'd you think of these?

Hi Girls

Sorry I've not been around lately, but we've just had a few lovely peaceful days away in North Wales then the Peaks, and while we were in
Bakewell I bought a lovely crocheted flower brooch (from an arts and crafts centre) - the brooch is perfect for a winter cardigan/coat, or handbag! Sooooooooo as you know, I love being inspired - and I decided to have a go at making them! I had a pattern that came to me from my sister - so I bought some wool and here are the results! I'm hoping to have a stall at a local craft show in the near future - selling my cards (of course!), the jewellery that I make, and now these brooches. Do you think they'd sell well? Would love your feedback!

I had to really scratch my head to remember how to knit - it must be at least 20 years since I've cast on a stitch! And that was the problem - I could remember how to cast on - but couldn't for the life of me think how to get the first loop! Ah well,,,,,, it came back eventually!

Bye for now - look forward to hearing your comments as always....
Christine x

A quickie!

Hi

Just wanted to post this very quick card - you know when sometimes you need to do something that doesn't take too much colouring or shading? Well this provided it! It's a design from Pink Petticoat - but careful if you go to buy it, make sure you click on the right item (very easy not to), as I made a mistake and ended up with an image I didn't want! Ah well, not to worry. I love this image - very simple, but I think very effective!

I've not been blogging too much lately as I'm busy making jewellery for an order I've taken - I do Swarovski and silver bracelets, earrings and necklaces. So I've had to get down to it! Saves life being boring huh?

I spent a lovely day on Saturday at the Harrogate Papercraft show and spent far too much! But the highlight of my day was meeting Christine (Nanaseaside) - and we had a lovely chat and a wander around! Nice to meet fellow bloggers. And to Sarah (StressedStamper) - sorry I didn't get there on Sunday too - was absolutely worn out after Saturday! Anyway - I eventually treated myself to a Cuttlebug - so my Wizard is now redundant! It took up far too much room and needed a stronger hand than I have! The Cuttlebug is much easier to work with and fits neatly away! I need to get the jewellery finished now so I can play with it!!

I'm also now on the countdown to my youngest daughter emigrating for a couple of years..... so emotions are running high! If you see tears on my blog in the next few days - well until 29th when she ACTUALLY goes...... just pass the tissues will you? Well........ Mum's are allowed....... aren't they?

Hugs to all
Christine x

Back to blogland.......

Hi All

Firstly, sorry I've not been around for a few days - I've had that dreadful tummy bug that's been doing the rounds, only it decided to stay at my house for a while without moving on too fast! Knocked me for six and for the first few days this week I was laying on the settee all day watching daytime TV. Not all bad though, I lost half a stone while being poorly, so it did have it's up side! Not a recommended way to lose tho... Then yesterday we had a big family gathering for them all (my two brothers and their wives, my honorary brother, a niece & hubby, a nephew & new wife, and a great-great niece) to say bye-bye to my daughter for a while - who, by the way, got her results on Friday and she is now a fully fledged CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT! So that was lovely news before she goes off at the end of September to pastures new.. :( Anyway, lots of cleaning done etc etc, before the family descended - so that took care of Thursday, Friday and then yesterday, we had a wonderful day...

Listen to me, making excuses for not being here! So onto my card...

Today I used SpringHuggabugg from Christy Croll at Tiddlyinks - what a lovely image to colour - such lovely clean lines. I used my copics to colour, and my prismacolour blue pencils to for the shadow - then sponged some Adirondack Lights pink sherbert around the edge, after I'd made a mask with some post it notes - (yes, cheating I know!)

The background paper is from my Basic Grey Green at Heart pad, then I added a ribbon, and a heart charm that I got from Pink Gem Designs. And then girls, all that was left to do was add........ GLITTER!

Anyway, hope you like. I would love to hear your comments so please do say hello and let me know there are people out there.... And I'll be back in blogland this week - then, we have the Papercraft show next weekend in Harrogate!!!! YAYYYYY can't wait!

Bye for now

Christine x

PS - I've also added a pic of my two darling daughters and myself yesterday - I'm so proud of them both - so couldn't resist putting their pic on here! Clare is the one in the middle who is off to Bermuda later this month........ But just think of the hols I can go on!! x