A tough decision

Good morning my lovelies, how are you all today? I have a day off today so will probably have a mooch around the shops and a bite of lunch with hubby.

I have some sad news to share with you all today. I have decided to step down from Penny Black Saturday Challenge and also Anyone for Anya DTs. I still have lots of work to do for my University course and I am wanting to spend a bit more time downstairs with my family. You all know how hard it is to get a balance between crafting and family and this is the only way I know how to do it I am afraid. I have loved my time on these two design teams and all the girls are just gorgeous and fab in every way and I will miss them all so much.

I just want to say a great big thankyou to Kath, Tracie and Dawny for letting me play with them for so long - you girls are the best!!!!!

I will still be around in blogland and am still on a couple of other DTs so I will not be disappearing (you can't get rid of me that easily). See you in a couple of days with my first card in a month!!!!!

Card blank question

Hi everyone, only me. I need to pick your brains please. I usually make my own card blanks and buy the envelopes seperately but this is proving quite costly really. I was wondering if any of you use bought pre scored card blanks/envelopes. I really only use 6x6 so would be interested in any recommendations you might have. Have seen a couple on ebay but would love your input.
Thankyou all so much
Byeeeeeeeeeeee

Fab sale at Pink Gem Designs

Hi everyone, I hope you have all had a fabulous Christmas! I have had one of the nicest ones for years and am really enjoying the time off work to spend with my family. We have a fun day lined up today with lots of games and then fun on the dancemat and singstar (I am a secret demon at this, lol) so I cannot wait. Gonna start organising a nice buffet so we can pick all day long and not have to worry about cooking meals.

Anyway, onto some great sale news. Janet has announced a great 15% discount of all the product ranges over at Pink Gem Designs and this will run until the end of January. There are also 10 brand new stamps which you can see here - some of these are perfect for Valentine's Day (yep, it will be here before you know it) so why don't you pop over for a little look.

I am planning my first day back in my craft room for almost a month tomorrow and am looking forward too it - I hope I can remember how to colour and make a card, lol ...... oh well I will just have to make sure I get plenty of practice over the next week or so.

Have a lovely day whatever you do xxxxxx

Light at the end of the tunnel!! EDITED - MADE IT THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE!!!!!

Hi there lovely bloggers, hands up who has snow!!! Isn't it gorgeous but heck, it is cold!!! So I have some good news (almost) to share with you all. My essay is almost finished. Just a few hundred words left and then the conclusion - happy days! I am hoping to get it finished before I go to bed tonight, even if it means I have to stay up until 3am. I want to be able to wake up tomorrow and know it has been finished. Let me tell you, I will be delighted to get rid of the dark cloud it has forced over me these past few weeks.

EDITED - WOOHOO ..... THE EVIL ESSAY IS FINISHED!!!!!!!

I can have a gorgeous shopping day tomorrow in York with hubby and perhaps a little treat to some lunch out too - well I have been a good girl. I will also have to get all my cards written and posted too so to all my lovely friends .... I have not forgotten you, Mr Mailman should be bringing you my card really soon :o)
My Magnolia winter kit finally arrived today, I must admit I was a bit worried that I was not going to get it but it is here so I can relax. Mind you, I would not have been able to ink it up anyway so probably just as well it has taken this long to arrive.
Just to let you know that my mum (Nicola ... Nicola's creations) is not around at the moment in blogland. She is in terrible pain (and I really mean dreadful) with her back/hip and cannot even get out of bed or anything. The hospital have been far from helpful and as soon as they ruled out a break just sent her home without any support. My poor old dad who is in his 70s is doing all he can to look after her butit is far from ideal. I am stuck here unable to help because they live in Spain so I really hope she feels better soon.
Right my lovelies, that is it from me for now - hopefully I will actually have a card on my blog at some point in the next week although now of course with christmas preparations who knows!!!! By the way, thankyou for the lovely messages and cards I have had this last couple of weeks - I am so lucky to have such great friends
I hope you all enjoy your weekend
See you soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Guess who has been crafting ....

...... not me that's for sure!!! I am having serious withdrawl symptoms though let me tell you!!! A couple of weeks ago I promised my little niece Emily that she could come and spend some time making cards with me and she made sure I kept my promise bless her. She has been so excited for over a week that I just had to put my work to one side for a few hours.

Emily let me know that she wanted to make christmas cards for her mummy, daddy and big sister Hannah - looked like some serious crafting was needed. I have been sorting a lot of my crafty stuff out for her and she has her own craft drawer now (along with all my stash at her disposal, lol) to play with.



I am amazed how straight this little cutie can place peel offs - she is only 5 and didnt even get tangled up in them!! Poor little Emily had a rotten cold too but she was determined to get her cards made!! I had to guard my copics with my life rofl, I love her dearly but use my copics - good taste but no way young lady!!!



Here she is with the finished products - how brilliant are these! I only helped with the MS punch and cuttlebug but she HAD to turn the handle, lol .... so independant! Interestingly she chose all Whiff of Joy images - they are so appealing to all ages don't you think.



As you can see .... more is more!!! Another embellisment addict - aahhhh, a chip of the old block. So funny too that Emily had to have flowers, brads and spacers on her cards - what can I say, she is a natural. After this photo Emily decided that the dog needed a card too so she made a quick one for Patch - what a pro, lol. We both really enjoyed our afternoon and are both totally shattered now.
I hope to be back crafting in another week - assignment due to be handed in next Monday. I cannot wait to be back here with you all ... missing you loads xxx

I am still here .....

... honest! Oh my word I am missing making my cards so much. I am getting on well with my assignment and it is due for submission in 2 weeks so then I will have my life back for a little while again. I hope you are all ok and enjoying your crafty time. Will try to visit when I can and catch up on all your beautiful creations. Try to behave and see you all soon xxxxxx

Just Magnolia Special Monthly Challenge

Good morning everyone and it is time for our special monthly challenge on Just Magnolia . It's a special time of the year and we all have special people in our lives so what you need to do to qualify for the amazing prize is make a card for Someone Special. That's it - nice and easy at this busy time of the year. The winner will be chosen by Random Generator next week so to be in the running all you need to do is ensure you have at least one Magnolia image on your card and link your card (not your blog) in Mr Linky and have your card posted by 10 pm UK time next Thursday 10th December.



More lovely new stash that I bought at the NEC - I have to admit I really do adore this years christmas collection - every stamp and each paper is just fabulous. I set myself a mini challenge and only used my 'E' copics - really pleased with the results - a nice change from my usual bright shades. I can't tell you who my card is for because she might read it here but she is an amazing lady and I am so happy to be sending her this card from me :o)



The old stickles is still in use (told you Kim that I would keep it going, lol) and I don't know if you can see the papers clearly but they show the music and words for Silent Night - my favourite christmas song. I am thinking that I may chalk around the edges of the image now just to take away the whiteness of the card - we'll see how I feel about it later.



Challenge list my card fits....
Papertake Weekly - Sketch #29

This is the last card you will see from me until next Friday. I am having a couple of weeks off Penny Black and Anyone for Anya. I have an assignment due in a few weeks at university and I need to concentrate on my writing instead of crafting :o(
It is very difficult to let the teams down but I really do have to put my studies first. You will still see cards from me for my 'official' DTs but that will be all. Can I just say a great big thankyou to all of you who visit my blog and leave me such wonderful comments. This really does mean so very much to me and I really do appreciate each and every one of you so very much indeed.
Have a fabulous week xxxxxxx

Lili of the Valley - A Sketch and chance to be our GDT

Morning - a real quickie cos forgot to sort my piccies out on my laptop last night so snatched this one from the post on Lili of the Valley. We have a really gorgeous sketch for you all to follow this week :o)

This is the first time I have used these sweet bunnies and I love how cute they are all snuggled up under the tree, this stamp is called Christmas Bunnies - Tree .


Pop over and have a peep at the rest of the DT's cards - they are gorgeous. Plus you can get all the details of how to apply to be Guest Designer too!
xxxxx

Pink Gem Designs GDT Card with a few challenges thrown in!

Morning to you all, isn't it chilly now we have entered December brrrrrrrrrrrr. Just waiting for the first falls of snow of the year and then we will know winter has properly arrived. In the meantime though what better way to stay warm than snuggled up in your craft room - perfect!


I have made this card using the ever so sweet Teddy & Mistletoe available from Pink Gem Designs . Janet has a fab sale on at the moment - a wonderful 10% off all winter/christmas images and sentiments!!!



I have coloured teddy with my copics and added fun flock to the fur and some little pearls for the berries. Not forgetting stickles for a little extra sparkle!


My card fits with a few challenges too ...

Kaboodle Doodles - Snowflakes
Pollycraft - Christmas
Stamp with Fun - Christmas
A Spoonfull of Sugar - Non-traditional Christmas Colours
Creative Card Crew - Christmas
Charisma Cardz - Christmas
Crazy4challenges - Punch Happy (MS punch available from DTDF
Sketch Saturday - Sketch #79
The Pink Elephant - Favourite colouring medium - Copics
Sketchy Colours - Purple/lilac