With Love at Christmas !

Happy Halloween everyone! I'm so glad it's the weekend! What a busy week at work it's been. Let's hope next week is much calmer. Well I've got a great crafty day planned. My mum is having a SU party at her house which will be held by the wonderful Jules! I'm really looking forward to it, and my mum has made some pumpkin muffins. Now I've never had these before, but I love muffins so I'm sure they'll be yummy!

Onto today's card. I haven't used this stamp in what feels like ages so I dug it out and dusted it off for this card {I made 2 of these cards actually, whilst I had everything out I though I might as well!}. All of the bubbles/spots have been coloured with my whisper pens before adding coloured glitter glue. I had to leave them to dry overnight which I found really difficult as when I normally make a card I do it all in one sitting! But it was well worth the wait as I love the sparkly effect! I am entering this card into two of this weeks challenges. At Papertake Weekly they want to see spots and stripes and over at Simon Says Stamp the challenge this week is 'All That Sparkles'!

Here's a bit of an arty farty angle, which I don't usually do but I thought it would show you the sparkle a bit more.

Materials:

Image: Christmas Bubble Tree from Woodware

Paper: Craftwork cards Plum Pudding

CS: from stash

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

Tools: distress inks, sponges, EK Success dotted wave border punch

Misc: Stickles glitter glue in red, green, copper, gold and irredescent

Well thanks for stopping by today. I hope you all have a great weekend whatever you're up to! I'm off to get ready for my SU afternoon! Yay!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Manga Christmas for Friday Sketchers

Morning all. Hope you are all well. It's thursday and that means only 1 thing, only 2 more days until the weekend! Yay! It shows your having a rough week if you're counting down the days to the weekend {I've been counting since monday, lol}!


Today's card was made for this weeks Friday Sketchers, a fab sketch by Claudia, right up my street and one I will definately be using again! I've used one of the gorgeous Manga christmas stamps from Sugar Nellie again, I love this cute little chappie with his stocking! Makes me think about christmas morning when I scramble to the bottom of my bed for my stocking! Yes, I admit it, I am 30 years old and I still have a stocking! I just LOVE christmas!

Materials:

Image: Mr Stocking by Sugar Nellie. Available here from funky kits. Coloured with koh-i-noors and sansodor.

Paper: MME Signature Christmas

CS: DCWV

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

Tools: distress inks, blending brushes, snowflake embossing folder

Misc: Gingham ribbon from stash

Ooooh I just love this MME paper. So glittery and pretty. I am surprised I managed to cut into it! Lol! I also got the MME Wonderful Winter stack last weekend form Stamp Magic but I split the stack with my mum and a friend as I didn't think I would use it all!

Well I'd best dash, won't look goood if the boss is late for work! Lol!
Thanks for stopping by today. I realy appreciate each and every one of your lovely comments!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Fall wishes!

Good morning all! It sure looks misty, murky and miserable out of my window today. Shame I have to go to work! Well today I have a card to sare with you all that I made using the fab new country cousin autumn kit from Sugar Nellie. There are some really cute stamps in this kit and it is such fantastic value. The leaves I have use are an accessory stamp that also comes with the kit. I used my favourite MME papers with this image as well. Love the colours, so autumnal, and I hadn't used them in ages and they were starting to feel neglected so it was the perfect excuse to dig them out!

I used the fabulous sketch by Kathy over at The Sugar Bowl challenge. As soon as I saw it I knew which image I wanted to use! There's an amazing prize on offer this week. A set of six new christmas stamps from Leanne Ellis! So what are you waiting for head on over and have a go! I am also entering it over at Stamptacular Sunday challenge where they want to see the theme of 'Fall'!

Materials:

Image: From the Autumn Country Cousins kit by Sugar Nellie. Leaves also from the same kit. Available here from funky kits. Coloured with koh-i-noors and sansodor.

Paper: MME Bloom and Grow

CS: DCWV

Sentiment: Papermania, freebie with a magazine

Tools: distress inks, sponge, nesties

Misc: Adhesive pearls from stash coloured with permanent whisper pens, Raffia lace ribbon from Hobbycraft

I am so pleased with how this card turned out, just how I envisaged it! I must tell you about the fabulous new releases form Sugar Nellie that will be available in the next few days over at Funky Kits! If you head on over to the Sugar Nellie Blog there are some sneak peaks of these fab new stamps! I hope you have been saving your pennies, I know there's plenty of them on my wish list!!

I had a great time at Stamp Magic on sunday with my mum, and unbelievably I stuck to my budget! I got some gorgeous MME Wonderful Winter papers, gimmer mist {never used this before}, sizzix snowflakes dies and some craftwork cards sentiments to name but a few. So watch out for some creations with my new stashover the next week or so!

Well I'd best dash and get off to work. Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave I realy appreciate them!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Alternative Anya for Christmas!

Morning all. An early post from me as I am off to Stamp Magic at The Dome in Doncaster today with my mum! Yay! I've got a budget and I MUST stick to it! Lol!

Today's card is another christmas card that I have made for my christmas box. A nice quick and simple card made using this fab Anya that I was kindly sent by a blogging friend. Thanks hun you know who you are!


This image was just so easy to colour and I added loads of glitter for her wings and halo, love to have some sparkle. I am going to enter this card over at ABC Challenge this week where F is for Flying! Well Fairies fly don't they??!! I am also entering it into Winter Wonderland this week, where they have an open theme {just so long as it's christmas!}. I added the sentiment in the corner of the image with a stamp-a-ma-jig which I got from the wonderful Jules. Can I just say I am such a huge fan of this fab little tool. I honestly don't know what I did without it. No more wonky sentiments for me!

Materials:

Image: Angel Anya from the Greeting Farm, coloured with Koh-i-noor pencils and Sansodor

Paper: Winter Wonderland from Craftwork Cards

CS: Kraft from stash

Sentiment: From a See D's christmas set

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig from SU

Misc: White inkpad to distress edges of kraft CS, Glitter Glue for wings, spotty ribbon from Hobby craft.

I don't have many christmas cards that are girly and pink like this. They're not traditional colours or image, I know, but I think it make a refreshing change. My OH doesn't like it at all, say's it not a christmas card. Good job I'm not giving it to him then isn't it!!

Can I just say a huge thank to everyone who has enquired how am I am after my car acident and for your well wishes. I am much better now thanks, just a bad back, which I was having problems with before the accident anyway!

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend! Let's hope the weather is better today! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

All I want for christmas!

Evening all. Sorry this post is a bit late in the day and I ahve been AWOL for a few days. I did hope to post this last night when I got in from a girly night out at the cinema. Unfortunately all did not go to plan as I was involved in a car accident on the way home! I was hit from behind by a van at some traffic lights! Luckily I only have a slighly sore back and a bruised sternum. Most of the damage was absorbed by the car, which is now residing in the garage waiting to get fixed. Overall not a very pleasant experience {my first in 13 years of driving}, I'm just thankful I'm ok as it could have been so much worse! I also tried posting this morning but blogger was being naughty and wouldn't le me on or look at anyone's blogs! So tonight it had to be!! Better late than never hey!


Anyhow onto today's card. No challenges or LO's used for this card, just another 'just because card' for my christmas box. I have used another of the gorgeous country cousin christmas stamps from Sugar Nellie. Isn't he such a cutie with his little list for santa! Such a crisp image and so easy to colour!

Materials:

Image: Santa's letter from Sugar Nellie available here at funky kits

Paper: We Are Memory Keepers, DCWV Christmas stack

CS: DCWV

Sentiment: Rub on from stash

Misc: Red dew drops from stash, Snowtex

Well that's all from me tonight. I have a relaxing evening filled with TV and chocolate planned! I am also going to be at Stamp Magic at The Dome in Doncaster on sunday so if anyone else is going to be there let me know, it would be lovely to say hi!

Thanks for stopping by to say hello and I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Santa Collage for Friday Sketchers!

Dear oh dear where are the daylight hours going? I have just got in from work and have taken this photograph before night fullly sets in, so I apologise for the poor lighting. I don't know what I'm going to do over the winter months as I usually take my photographs before or after work, but soon it will be too dark!


Anyway, onto todays card which I have made with the sketch over at Fridays Sketchers. I just love this Santa Collage stamp, which I got a few years ago {well my OH bought it for me actually!}, I think it's retired now, so I'm glad I got it when I did! Perfect for the more traditional christmas cards with a vintage feel!

Materials:

Image: Santa Collage Stamp by Rubber Stampede (Retired)

Paper: MME Signature Christmas

CS: DCWV

Sentiment: from the SU Circle of Friendship Set. Available from Jules

Tools: distress inks, sponge, nesties, xcut snowflake punch, snowflake embossing folder

Misc: Cappucino pearls from Quixotic Paperie, Glitter Glue for snowflakes, white foam, spotyt ribbon from Hobby craft.

Just a quick post from me tonight. My OH is out all night and I have a lot of TV to catch up with! Lol!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today and say hello! I really appreciate all your support and lovely comments!

Hugs, Vicky

A Country Cousins Christmas.

Morning all! Wow what a whirlwind weekend I'm having. I don't feel like I've stopped since 4pm on friday. We went to York Opera house on friday night straight after I finished work. YesterdayI went to Jules workshop and then straight out afterwards into Leeds to see The Editors and didn't get in until after midnight! Think today should be a little calmer though. I am wanting to get in my craft room at some point and also get around to have a look at what you've all been up to over the weekend!


I love this cute image from Sugar Nellie. Although it is from the Autumn Country Cousins set I think this stamp is perfect as a winter image for christmas cards! I am going to enter this card over at Everybody Art this week, where their challenge is 'shapes or punches'.

Another simple LO for this card. I feel much more at home with these type of cards, and feel they are definately my style! I hope you like it!

Materials:

Image: Autumn Country Cousins Kit by Sugar Nellie, available here at Funky Kits. Coloured with Koh-i-noors and Sansodor

Paper: MME Signature Christmas

CS: Kraft from stash

Sentiment: Elzybells Everyday Greetings set

Tools: distress inks, sponge, nesties, xcut snowflake punch,

Misc: Cappucino pearls from Quixotic Paperie, Snowtex, Glitter Glue for snowflake.

Before I go I would just like to thanks Jules for yesterday's workshop. I met some fantastic ladies and had such fun there with my friend Jill using products from the new Stampin Up catalogue. Boy, there are so many new stamp sets and punches that I want, my wish list is getting bigger by the day! Lol! If you haven't seen the new Stampin Up Catalogue then stop by Jules blog and take a look.

I hope you're all having a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by today and have a happy sunday!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Happy Christmas Anya!

Evening all! I will apologise in advance for the poor lighting in the picture. Now the days are drawing in I'm finding it difficult to take good pics as I'm out at work all day! Must get more organised and take pics on my days off! Lol!

Well I haven't used my Anya's in what seems like ages so took the opportunity and dusted them off to make another christmas card to add to my growing pile! I still need to make a lot more and with only 71 days left until the day itself (see my widget!) I suspect you may see a lot of christmas cards over the coming weeks!


As some of you may know I love the technique of paper piecing which happens to be the challenge over at Anyone for Anya? this week so I just had to enter! I decided to paper piece her scarf, but not entirely sure it works with the stripey paper?! Oh well too late now! Lol!

Materials:

Image: From the Anya Rain, Snow, Shine set. Coloured with Koh-i-noors and Sansodor

Paper: DCWV Christmas stack (2007 & 2008)

CS: DCWV

Sentiment: Woodware

Tools: distress inks, sponge, cuttlebug snowflake die, swiss dots embossing folder

Misc:white funky foam from stash, blue adhesive pearls from papermania, white pearl from Quixotic Paperie, Icicle Stickles.

I really like how this card has turned out, the colours make me feel all chilly and want to wrap up, just like Anya! Lol!

Well thanks for stopping by today. I would love for you to leave me a comment so I know you have been, I really enjoy reading them! Must dash off to get the tea ready. I ope to be back later to do a spot of hopping!! :-)

Hugs, vicky ~x~

Christmas Stocking!

Evening all. Sorry for the late post today. It's been one of those hectic days! Not enjoying work at the minute. I love my job but we just don't have the resources to provide the care I want to. I'm becoming a bit disillusioned with it all. I have a meeting with my manager tomorrow so hopefully he may be able to help the situation! Sorry for the rant, anyway onto today's card!


I have used another of these cute christmas manga images from Sugar Nellie. How sweet is he?! I went for the vibrant traditional colours and a simple LO. I really enjoyed making this card and am sooooo please with the final result, I love the CAS look and may very well use this LO again!

Materials:

Image: Mr Stocking by Sugar Nellie available here from funky kits. Coloured with Koh-i-noors and Sansodor

Paper: from Dovecraft HO HO HO pack

CS: from stash

Sentiment: Studio G

Tools: distress inks, sponge, nesties

Misc: red adhesive gems from papermania

Well I hope you like tonights offering. Please leave me a comment so I know that you stopped by.

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and good luck for the rugby. For those of you who don't know the Leeds Rhino's won on saturday, making it a hat trick, rugby league champions three years in a row! Well done boys you did us proud!!

Night all, early night for me, I need to mentally prepare myself for work tomorrow! Lol!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Let it Snow

Morning all, well it's the weekend and the sun is shining! Best get the washing out whilst I can! Lol! I am feeling much better now, almost back to normal and last night was the first night that I did not wake up coughing and splutering, I slept all the way through! Progress!


Well enough about me and my ailments, onto today's card. I couldn't wait to ink up this little cutie. She's from the new Country Cousins Christmas range from Sugar Nellie and is called 'Winter Wonderland'. A litte tricky to colour in the umberella and scarf {I use koh-i-noor pencils but those of you who use copics/promarkers will be fine!}, but otherwise a dream to work with, such good value! You probably can't tell onto the photograph but I added white flock to the trim of her coat to give it a faux fur feel. I am entering it into this weeks Cute Card Thursday challenge where they want to see a charm on your project. I have lots of gorgeous charms from The Hobby House but rarely use them, so this was the perfect opportunity to get them out!

Materials:

Image: Winter Wonderland available here from Sugar Nellie. Coloured with Koh-i-noors and Sansodor

Paper: Basic Grey Wassail

CS: from stash

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

Tools: distress inks, sponge, nesties, snowtex to create snow effect on image

Misc: Gingham ribbon, adhesive pearls from stash. Snowflake charm fom The Hobby House

Well thanks for stopping by today. Leeds Rhino's v St Helens tonight in the Rugby Grand Final so keep your fingers crossed for us!! Come on you Rhino's!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the sunshine!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Made with Love for Just Magnolia!

Afternoon all. Another post from me {that's 3 days in a row now, don't faint in shock!} Lol! Well I had to really as I have this card to show you that I want to enter into the Just Magnolia challenge of handmade flowers and it ends at midnight tonight!!

I made this card just before I went on holiday 'just because' and as would luck would have it, it meets with this weeks JM challenge, so as you can imagine I was very happy! I couldn't wait to ink up my Magnolia Fall kit when it arrived and this was the first stamp I went for. She is adorable. I thought her pinafore was perfect for paper piecing! I love this technique and for those eagle eyed of you it's the second card this week I've shown with this technique!

Materials:

Image: Tilda with spoon from Magnolia fall kit 2009

CS: DCWV Christmas stack

Sentiment: Magnolia Fall Kit 2009

Tools: distress inks, sponge,

Misc: Ginham ribbon, Pearl brads and Spacers all from stash, flowers
made from DCWV papers

I am almost feeling back to normal now, the cough still won't budge though! Whilst I have felt pretty dreadful most of the time, when I have felt up to it I have been able to catch up on my blog hopping and be inspired by all the beautiful creations out there. Which has had the added bonus of me recapturing my mojo! Yay!

Well my OH is out mowing the back lawn for what he hopes will be the last time this year, so I feel this is my opportunity to head off to my craft rom for a few hours {if I'm lucky}!

Thanks for stopping by today, I really value your support and inspiring comments!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Cute witch for Halloween!

Afternoon all. I dont normally post two days in a row but this cute image landed on my doorstep yesterday and I couldn't wait to ink her up and share her with you! This cute little witch is one of the new Sugar Nellie stamps designed by Mary Hall, available here from Funky Kits.


It was such a dream to colour in. I kept the LO and design of this card quite simple as the image is quite large and I wanted it to be the main focus. I am entering it into two of this weeks challenges over at ASOS and Simon Says Challenge, whose themes are both Halloween!

I don't make a lot of Halloween cards, we don't seem to celebrate it as much here in the UK, I know it's a much bigger celebration in the US. But I couldn't resist using this cutie to make a card for my niece!

Materials:

Image: Little Witch by Sugar Nellie available here from funky kits. Coloured with Koh-i-noors and Sansodor

CS: DCWV

Sentiment: SU Best Yet set, Doodlebug Rub On's

Tools: distress inks, sponge, nesties, Spots and Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder

Misc: Gold glitter on the spots on her dress & hat

Well I am starting to feel a little better. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes! Just need to get rid of this annoying cough, it's keeping me {and half of my street} awake at night! Lol!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

It's a manga christmas!

Yay, I finally got into my craft room and made a few cards yesterday using the fabulous new Manga christmas stamps that came in last months Sugar Nellie DT package. I am still full of cold and feeling pretty 'bleuugh' but amidst all the tissues and paracetemol I managed to occupy myself making this card.

I used the fab sketch over at The Sugar Bowl, where the please include option this time is paper piecing. I love this technique. Looking at her dress now I am thinking I should perhaps have paper pieced it with the spotty paper, oh well! I loved working with these Manga stamps, they are so easy to colour and sooo cute! I'm not 100% about this card though, I think it's because it's a little busier than my usual cards! I added the 'to a special friend' sentiment at the last minute as I though it balanced it out more, now I'm not so sure!

I am entering it into this weeks Simon Says Challenge where the theme is red and green and also over at Creative Inspirations whose theme is Christmas in October!

Materials:

Image: Poinsettia Christmas Manga available here from Sugar Nellie. Coloured with Koh-i-noors and Sansodor

Paper: DCWV Christmas stack (2008)

CS: from stash

Sentiment: SeeD's christmas messages set and Elzybells Everyday Greetings clear set

Tools: distress inks, sponge, nesties, SU scallop border punch

Misc: Gingham ribbon, spacer, bearl brad, red flower all from stash. Green holly leaves from a papermania poinsettia flower set.

Before I head off today I just wanted to let you all know that the new country cousin christmas stamps are now available to buy here over at funky kits. There are some really cute designs at fantastic prices. Here is a little sneak peak of one of them to whet your appetite! To see the rest of the fabulous collection head on over and take a look!

Well thanks for stopping by today. Make sure you take your umbrella with you if you're going out today, the weather is pretty dreadful!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

Make a wish Hamish!

Good afternoon to you all! Well my mojo has still not turned up and to top it of I am poorly sick. I have a chest and throat infection, so not really feeling up to crafting right now! I am hoping that in a few days I will be feeling a little better and able to get those creative juices flowing. At least I can blog hop and try and get some insiration whilst I am in bed!

Anyway onto to today's card, luckily another card that I made before my holidays!

Materials:

Image: Chef Hamish by Sugar Nellie, available here from funky kits, coloured with koh-i-noor pencils and sansodor

Paper: SU

CS: SU

Sentiment: Penny Black

Tools: nesties

Misc: button and ribbon from stash

Another CAS card. I prefer my cards this way, I love to keep the LO simple with plenty of base CS showing, it lets the eye focus more on the cute image and gorgeous papers!

Well I hope you like today's card. Thanks for stopping by today and for any comments you may leave. I really do apreciate each and every one of them, and I am hoping they will help to inspire me and restart my mojo!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~

A 'beary' happy birthday!

Evening all. Today's card is one that I made prior to my holiday and it is for my 3 year old neice's birthday. I still haven't had the time or inclination to make cards this week so I am resorting to showing you this one!

Materials:

Image: Bubble & Squeak clear stamp from a Daisy & Dandelion set coloured with koh-i-noors and sansodor

Paper: DCWV Glitter Stack

CS: Coredinations

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

Tools: distress inks, sponge, nesties,

Misc: Raffia ribbon from Hobbycraft, adhesive dots from QVC

I adore this stamp, although I surprised myself as it is not something that I ordinarily would go for! So easy to colour and so cute for childrens cards!

Well I have been so busy back at work this week. I am absolutely exhausted every night when I get in from work so haven't really got my mojo back yet or had the energy to do some crafting. I am hoping that it will happen in the next few days though so please bear with me! Typical really as my Sugar Nellie DT stamps came whilst I was away and a parcel from Elaine at Quixotic paperie arrived today with the MME Signature Christmas paper I ordered before my hols. Ordinarily I would have dived straight into them. Hopefully when I'm less tired I will once more be back in my craft room as opposed to curled up in bed! Lol!

Keep your fingers crossed that my mojo returns ASAP!

Hope you are all well, thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Vicky ~x~