Bling!

The challenge on A Passion for Papertrey this time round is bling up our projects. I was already making some notebooks as Thank You/Stocking Filler Christmas presents for family and friends, so thought I'd incorporate bling into one or two of them .... hmmm ....... I really struggled adding the bling ...

I've made several of these notebooks, I love them, can't stop making them now :O)

The first one is a straight copy from one Lisa Johnson made a few months ago - isn't it gorgeous! The second I just started playing - maybe I'm getting a bit more of my mind back again (maybe)


Notebook 1
Stamps - Giga Guide Lines, Take Note
Cardstock - Basic Black, Basic Grey,
Pattern Paper- From Chocolate Remix
Mediums- Versofine Black
Embellishments - True black swiss dot satin ribbon (reversed), Diamontes from stash
Tools - Paper Cutter and scorer, Snail Adhesive, stampin' dimensionals, nestability scallop die, nestability circle die.




Notebook 2
Stamps - Take Note
Cardstock - Night of Navy, Bracade Blue
Mediums- Brocade Blue, Bordering Blue, Versomark
Embellishments - 5/8" Brocade Blue & 1/4 Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon, Silver elastic cord, Diamontes from stash.
Tools - Paper Cutter and scorer, Snail adhesive, Eyelet border punch, stampin' dimensionals, nestability scallop die, nestability circle die.

Inspired by the Catty Swap.

I really struggled to find something to post about this week as I haven't been anywhere near my craft room since the flu hit me a fortnight ago! I'm still down with it, going back to the Doc this afternoon in the hope that he can give me some sort of miracle drug that will give me head back!!

These are the card fronts DH will put in the post this afternoon for me,


they are part of the Inspired by the Catty Swap being held over on In Love with Stamping. We each got to choose one of the many card samples in the Stampin Up Catalogue and then CASE it, we could change the colours etc, but had to stick to the same layout etc. I chose the card on page 20, using Silent Night. Luckily I'd done almost all the work a couple of weeks ago otherwise there is no way I'd have met the deadline (I swear I've got tissues stuffed in my head at the moment).


Recipe

Stamps - Silent Night
Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla
Mediums- Chocolate Chip
Embellishments - Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.
Tools - Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Paper Cutter and scorer, 3/4 Circle Punch, Snail Adhesive.

While I was recreating these I also had a few ideas make them better, will post them when I've finished them off - sometime next week ... I hope :O)

Passion for Papertrey challenge 17

The Passion for Papertrey Challenge 17 - Think Christmas - well it took me over a week to complete this card! I can't belive how ill I've been, I picked up a sickness bug last week which I managed to get rid of for the weekend, went away for the weekend, probably wasn't a good idea although it was a great weekend, but then on Sunday afternoon I started with the sniffles, which on Monday turned into something more. I've had something close to flu all week, my energy levels are pretty close to zero, every muscle in my body aches, I am sooo tired, I can't stop coughing - but all I can think about is ... getting back into my craft room .... how sad am I LOL

Anyway back to the card ...

As soon as this challenge was posted I knew that I had to play with my new PTI stash (as soon as it arrived) .... Holiday Button Bits IS BRILLIANT :O)



Recipe

Stamps - Holiday Button Bits (PTI)
Cardstock - White linen from stash, whisper white (SU), pure poppy (PTI)
DSP - Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin Pack (SU)
Mediums- Green Galore, Real Red (SU)
Embellishments - Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon(SU), pure poppy buttons, rustic jute twine (PTI),
Tools - Paper cutter and scorer, paper piercer, stampin' dimensionals, nestability scallop die, nestability circle die, ,

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PTI Christmas ATC Swap

Did you miss out on the PTI ATC swap we did at the end of August on A Passion for Papertrey, well they're doing another one ...

-The swap is Christmas themed, and all ATCs must use Papertrey Ink stamps. Products from other companies can be used for card, ribbon etc.

-You have until midnight GMT on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 to sign up for the swap, and then until the 28th to actually complete the ATCs.

See here for full details

Talking about swaps, I recently signed up to the Cybercrop on UKScrappers which will be taking place over the weekend of Friday 13th - Sunday 15th November in an attempt to get me using up some of my stash and perhaps actually making a layout or six or ten ..... One of the pre-crop swaps is to put together a “pot of gold” for your swappee. The pot needed to include something like 10 buttons, 10 eyelets, 10 lengths of ribbon, etc The aim was to fill a decorated/altered, small gift bag/small tub (or something similar).... I didn't have anything of the like so I used a Lauren Meader template 'Tucked Away'




What do you think .........

Did anybody else love Craig Revel Horwood's poppy on Strictly? I can't afford a Swarovski Crystal one, so I thought I'd have a play with one I bought already this year with a few of my craft supplies, what do you think ...




Recipe:

Stampin Up Heat & Stick Powder, Fine Glitter

Still no crafting, been unwell, I managed to pick up one of those awful sickness bugs but I've got to get better for the weekend, we're off to France for Remembrance Weekend

But I have been cheered up - The lovely Aimes has awarded me a blog award, if you haven't already seen Aimes' work, please pop over and have a look, she has some fab ideas, espeically on how to give a gift of money in some inspirational ways ....

As with most awards, it comes attached with rules ....

Pass this award on to five people, post on their blog to let them know you left this award, and then answer a list of questions in ONE word.

1. Where is your cell phone? sofa
2. Your hair? down
3. Your mother? always there
4. Your father? Lanzarote
5. Your favorite food? Bangers & Mash
6. Your dream last night? That requires sleep right ....
7. Your favorite drink? Green tea
8. Your dream/goal? Not to have to work full time
9. What room are you in? Lounge
10. Your hobby? Crafting
11. Your fear? Spiders
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Spain
13. Where were you last night? Bed
14. Something that you aren't? Fit
15. Muffins? Yuk
16. Wish list item? PTI
17. Where did you grow up? Germany
18. Last thing you did? Drive home from work
19. What are you wearing? Pyjamas
20. Your TV? On
21. Your Pets? 5 cats and a dog
22. Friends? lots
23. Your life? busy
24. Your mood? Poorly
25. Missing Someone? Yes, daughter
26. vehicle? MX5
27. Something your not wearing? undies
28. Your favorite store? department
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday?
31. Last time you cried? Can't remember
32. Your best friend? Mick, my husband
33. One place that I go to over and over? Work
34. Facebook? Yes
35. Favorite place to eat? Italian

I guess anyone who has bothered to read this has learned something about me, I'm now going to pass this onto some women whose work I really love Kate Monica, Clare, Steph,

Pay It Forward

My friend Siobhan has started something over on her blog which I've decided to take part in because I think it sounds like a FABULOUS idea, see what you think .....

1.Everyone who leaves a comment on any blog post this month will go into a draw. On the last day of the month I will randomly choose three names for whom I will make a little handmade ‘something’. It will be a surprise and it will arrive on your doorstep when you least expect it!

2. I will have 365 days to do it in (although I will endeavour to complete it in time for Christmas). So what's the catch? To get a handmade gift from me, you have to play too. This means YOU have to pledge to send a little handmade something to three readers of your blog. It doesn't have to be scrapbooky or cardy - just handmade.

3. You must have a blog. (obviously!)

4. BEFORE you comment here, you must post about your Pay It Forward on your blog to keep the fun going, and display the Pay It Forward button.

I will include anyone who follows the above rules. Remember - you got a full year so plenty of time to actually do the PIF ...

While I've got you, Siobhan made me aware of this charity and I wondered if anyone reading would be willing to to join?

Post Pals is an organisation that arranges for cards, letters and even gifts to be sent to seriously ill children.

I have committed to send a card to each of the featured post pals, and am sending a mini-kit of stash to them to create their own cards or other works of art ....

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Valentines Christmas Mega-Workshop

I know I haven't posted many cards lately, that would be because I haven't managed to get into the craft room for over a week!!!

I did manage to get some crafting in though ... I attended Valentines (Clare & Sharnie's) Christmas Mega-Workshop on Saturday (Halloween ), and what a fantastic day it was!

The workshop included 20 cards, 10 tags, a Christmas wreath & tree decorations, lunch, nibbles, wine, tea, coffee we couldn't have wished for better hosts - huge thank you to Gaynor, Clare's mum for the fantastic venue - What a value packed day

My favourite card of the day .....

In the close up shot you can see how those dazzling diamonds glitter ....


and a quick shot of our demonstrators, don't they look like QVC presenters ...

Christmas Extravaganza

Stampin Up have come up with another way to help us crafters ... They've created a Christmas Gift Giving Guide ......


To help you make your Christmas cards, create gifts for friends, gifts for neighbours, stocking fillers or find the perfect presents for crafters, all of course perfectly colour coordinated. Check out the Gift List with loads of great gift suggestions, or ideas to make things to give as gifts.

Even more good news, from the 1st November until 29th December, when you spend £45 on products featured in the guide, you’ll receive a FREE Tag Punch or Small Tag Punch worth £12.50! And there’s no limit to the number of free punches you can earn – you’ll get one for every £45 you spend on items from the Gift-Giving Guide. That’s the important bit – only items in the Gift-Giving Guide will qualify you for a free punch.

(There are No Restrictions on free punches, 1 punch per £45 spent).

Stamp sets
Spotlight on Christmas - £18.95 (p22)
Fresh Cuts - £18.95 (p53)
Circle Circus - £23.95 (p55)
Starring You - £11.95 (p77)
Wow Flowers - £10.95 (p77)

Simply Scrappin’® kits and Card Elements
Rock Star Simply Sent Card Elements - £12.50 (p77)
Flower Power Simply Sent Card Elements - £12.50 (p77)
Sunny Day - £15.50 (p78)
Christmas Jingle - £15.50 (p79)
Petal Party - £15.50 (p79)
Love Stories - £15.50 (p79)

Cardstock
Whisper White A4 card stock - £5.50 (p71)
Real Red A4 card stock - £4.50 (p72)
Old Olive A4 card stock - £4.50 (p72)
Bold Brights A4 card stock - £6.75 (p72)
Fresh-Cut Notes - £6.95 (p80)

Ribbon
Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon - £6.25 (p87)
Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon - £6.25 (p87)

Accessories
Latte Designer buttons - £6.50 (p83)
Playground Designer buttons - £6.50 (p83)

Tools
Bold Brights Stampin’ Write markers - £24.95 (p72)
Spiral punch - £8.50 (p88)
Cutter Kit - £13.25 (p90)

Miscellaneous
Medium flat cellophane bags - £3.25 (p80)
On Board 12.7 x 12.7 cm (5”) Art Journal - £5.50 (p82)


Wow! What a fantastic selection! AND I am offering FREE postage on all orders over £45 as well! Contact me to place your order today ....