Merry Christmas Everyone

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year

Thanks for all your lovely comments you really are the best.

Paper: 'Washed Out' in Pretty Pink from the Colour Collection

Sentiment Circle - 'Fairy Lights' Collection
Papermania Filigree Snowflake Card Blank
Glamour Dust Glitter by Decoart
Organza Ribbon, Bakers Twine, Snowflake Eyelet and Large Button
2" Circle Punch
Personal Impressions 'You are the best' Sentiment Stamp

Christmas decorations from upcycled cookie cutters...

All you need to make them is some christmas cookie cutters, your favourite papers and some twine.

Christmas Cookie Cutters
Bakers Twine
Crop a Dile

Anyone for Tea?

This is the reason why I haven't blogged in a while, I've been making this, well two of them actually.  I got the design from Crafts Beautiful magazine.  The first atttempt was a disappointment, (following the instructions to the letter lol) it was far too small and a bit messy on the inside.  So whilst on my day out in London last week.  Annie (quilting queen) and I studied every tea cosy in John Lewis and came up with the neater and larger version you see here.  I'm so pleased with it  I keep looking at it and can't believe I made it.   Even hubby was impressed and said this photo doesn't do it justice!
Don't really want to part with them but got to get them off in the post today. 
Thanks for your help Annie :)x

Fabric: Tanya Whelan 'Darla' from Gone To Earth

Penguins or Polar Bears!

is the current challenge over at Winter Wonderland this week. 

So here's a few more cards to add to the collection.  Phew, think I've got enough.  Just need to write them now!

Papers:  Pink Petticoat 'Fairy Lights' Collection
Images:  Pink Petticoat 'Ice Christmas'
Promarkers and Glamour Dust Glitter

Carol's Sketch Fun #23

Carol's Sketch Fun is back!  I always enjoy working with Carol's sketches, and this one was just right for a quick birthday card I had to rustle up amongst all the Christmas cards.
I'm off to be a tourist for the day tomorrow.  The centre of London is only a 20 min train journey for me so I'm meeting up with a friend at Charing Cross and we're off to see all things London and christmassy - Covent Garden, Fortnum & Masons, Harrods, Libertys etc taking in all the christmas lights along the way.  So best get back to the map and planning our route.

Box of Chocs!

Another Christmas gift done.  I made a mini pizza box and filled it with handmade (by me!) choc drops. My first attempt at making chocs so I kept it simple, might move on to truffles next time! 

These choc drops were so easy to make.  Melt your chosen chocolate, use a teaspoon to drop on to baking parchment, cover with your chosen sprinkles and leave to set.  Then try not to eat too many whilst packing into the box.
For more ideas on 'Giving Sweet Gifts' pop on over to the Pink Petticoat blog this week to see what the rest of the design team have been making.

Papers and Sentiment: Pink Petticoat 'Fairy Lights' Collection 

1" Cream Organza Ribbon
Nestabilities Labels 1
4" x 4" Mini Pizza Box Template*
Handmade Choc Drops
*Just enter 'Mini Pizza Box Template' in your preferred search engine - there's lots of options out there.

Shape Up!

This week's challenge over at Winter Wonderland is

Shape Up
Create a shaped card - anything so long as it isn't a square or rectangle.

I love these tree shaped card blanks.  I'm off now to make a few more.

Card Blank:  Anita's
Papers:  Pink Petticoat 'Fairy Lights'
Felt Heart:  American Crafts
Machine Stitching
Scallop Edged Scissors
Vintage Pearl Buttons & Pink Bakers Twine

Snowflake Hanger

What's the best thing to do when it's snowing.  Catch up on the crafting!  The snow has finally arrived in my little corner of the world, not much, a couple of inches, but enough for me to refuse to go out.  So plenty of time to make one of Kath's snowflake hangers.  If you're not already a follower of Kath's lovely blog then pop on over for the tutorial and feast your eyes on all her fantastic creations.
I'm entering mine in the current challenge over at Let's Craft and Create 'Anything Goes'.

Papers: Pink Petticoat Fairy Lights
Twill Ribbon: Stampin Up

Zip Flower Corsage

Here's my first handmade Christmas gift.  All you need to make it is a 30" zip, a needle and thread and a brooch back.  I got my zip from Ebay for about £5.00. It looks rather large in the photo, it measures about 4" across.  Here's the gift box for it too .

And here are my oh so simple Christmas cards.  I took a Real Red (Stampin Up) ink pad a pack of 50 cream card blanks and all the Christmas stamps I own.  Half an hour later 50 cards - done!  Stress over, now I can concentrate on a few special cards left to make.

Back in the day when I used to 'buy' cards these are the sort of cards I would go for.  I really am Mrs Minimal, you should see my house - not an ornament in sight!

Spots and Stripes

Well I can't put it off any longer, serious crafting day today, getting the 'C' word cards under way.  I'm entering this batch for the current challenge over at DCM - Spotty and Stripey Christmas. 

These 3.5" x 3.5" card blanks from Craftwork Cards are such good value, 50 for £3.00 and great quality too.

I'll be back tomorrow with some even simpler cards and my first handmade gift, I'm so pleased with it I might just have to keep it for myself!

Papers: Pink Petticoat 'Fairy Lights' and 'Doodle Dots'

Machine Stitching

Christmas 'Man' Card

A first for me!  To make a 'Man' card that I actually like.

With a matching gift tag too.  I'm entering it in the current challenge over at Let's Craft and Create, One For The Boys.  Just a quick post from me, I've got the Christmas panic on today.  When I planned to 'make' all my cards and most of my Christmas gifts this year I had loads of time, if only I'd started back then! 

Papers - Pink Petticoat - Fairy Lights

Alphas - Pink Petticoat - Big Fella Mix
3/4" May Arts Twill Ribbon in Celery Green
Wavy Scallop Kraft Pocket with Tie - Maya Road
Acrylic Paint Dabber (White) - Ranger
Metallic Silver Thread

Pretty Christmas - Keepsake House

I wish I could take the credit for this little house but the inspiration came entirely from the Scrapbook House I spied over on Michelle Last's lovely blog.  Now how did I make it. 

I took a sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock. scored it at 3", 6" and 9 " .  Measured 5" up one side and drew a line across the page.  Then drew 2 triangles for the roof 2.5" high.  Cut out and covered it with patterned papers, and added some pockets to hold mementos and left space for 1st christmas photos to be added.

The card is 4" x4" and when assembled becomes the roof.

Papers : Pink Petticoat Fairy Lights
Image:  Pink Petticoat Sweet Cheeks
Paperclip and Grosgrain ribbon : Stampin Up
Promarkers and glitter



O Christmas Tree!

For the Christmas Tree theme over at Pink Petticoat this week I wanted to do something a little different and out of my comfort zone!  Do you ever get an idea in your head that however hard you try it just won't transfer to paper?  Well that's what happened with this card.  Although I do like it , it just hasn't got the 'wow' factor I was hoping for!  I did get a couple of lovely comments over on the Pink Petticoat blog so it can't be that bad.

I do love Liz's tiny leopard print design, 'bang on trend 'as Gok would say!  Tfl:)x

Tree shaped card blank - Anita's by Docrafts
Papers: Pink Petticoat 'Tis the Season' kit
Trim:  Websters Pages
Asstd ribbon and brads

Tiny Take Out Box...

is the challenge over at Project Tuesday this week.

It matches the card on my last post and is filled with vintage pearl buttons.   The tutorial to make one is HERE.  Think I need a Scor-Pal!



Papers: Pink Petticoat Vintage Rose & Sentiment Ribbons

Let's Party!

Yay a day to myself today. The boys have gone off to Earls Court to the MPH (Top Gear) show.  So I've downloaded an album from ITunes - Lauren Pritchard (Wasted in Jackson) you can hear it on you tube HERE   and I'm been having my own little crafting party making this card for the Let's Party challenge over at Let's Craft and Create.

It's a girlie variation on the card in my last post.  Now I'm off to make a shepherds pie.  The best thing about the winter is the comfort food! Tfl:)

Papers: Pink Petticoat Vintage Rose & Sentiment Ribbons

A Card For A Hero

The theme at Pink Petticoat this week is 'A Card For a Hero' Remembrance Sunday will be with us this month and so Liz asked us share some card ideas to say a little something to those for whom Remembrance Day is particularly significant. And a 'Thank You' to those still giving.

Have you seen there's a lot of union jack inspired designs around in homeware at the moment.  There's loads of lovely stuff on HERE.  The inspiration for the design of this card came from an apron I bought from the supermarket! 
I downloaded a union jack template from Crafts Beautiful.  I only wanted to use part of it so I cut and paste it into MS Publisher and resized it.  The poppy was simply made from 3 punched circles.

Pink Petticoat supplies
Big Fella Kit

Fairy Dots
Girly Curly Sentiments

Other Supplies:
Star brad - Stampin Up
I1/2 " Circle Punch
Bakers Twine - Ribbon Girl

Card Patterns Sketch

I used the latest sketch over at the Card Patterns for this birthday card. A new colour combo for me - sage and smoke - I think I like it!
See the previous post for a link to the tutorial to make these simple but effective flowers.  I'm thinking of making some larger ones for christmas presents.

Papers: Pink Petticoat Autumn Blossom and Pretty Little Hearts
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat Sentiment Ribbons
Machine Stitching

Thanks Terrie!

Just what I needed to jump start the creativity a fabulous tutorial from the mega talented Terrie Bailey, check out how to make these pretty flowers HERE.  I'll be back to share the whole card later!

Edited to add
Terries blog is no longer available.  HERE is a link to a tutorial for singed fabric flowers.

Thinking Pink...

As you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so I'd just like to share this photo frame I made with the freebie Think Pink kit from Pink Petticoat. 

For the shape I cut around the large flourish design and die cut a circle aperture for the photo.  The flower was simple to make just lots of crumpled layers of a punched flower, inking the edges for some definition.

Would you believe this is the only project I've completed in the last 2 weeks.  Lots of failed attempts ended up in the bin so I've taken to curling up in front of the TV with my knitting in the evenings which has been more successful!

I do hope I come up with some cards worth keeping soon!

Think Pink Kit - Pink Petticoat

Retro Flower Punch

Gems and Pearls