Last Post ....

....of the year!!!!
Blimey, where did 2009 go?

And it's the last Papertake Weekly of 2009 as well. This week we are sponsored by the very wonderful Heidi at Simon Says Stamp and there is a whopping $25 voucher up for grabs, so do check it out lovely peeps.

So our last challenge of the year is a sketch -


...this one here.


I seem to be having a bit of a Hanglar run at the mo - I know I am a lucky so and so to have a few of these beauties in my possession and I do have to thank a certain someone for sending them to me xxxx

I coloured this cutie with my usual PMs and I gave her a sparkly cardi with the good old Glamour Dust.



And this is my take on the sketch.

That gorgeous Doodlebug paper is available from Tracy over at Dies To Die For and I can tell you that I have stroked this paper to within an inch of it's spotty life lol xx I am LOVING it and I very nearly couldn't bring myself to use it cos I have a real aversion to putting scissors near me best papers!!!!

I used my MS Flourish punch to jazz up the layering - it's fast becoming a habit cos now I hate to see it looking plain!!

Oh dear!!!



The bloom was from Simon Says Stamp and the button and twine were from my stash



And that's the old card peeps.

I hope that you all had a fabby old Christmas and that you got loads of giftage :) And apart from me having a really yukky viral thing which made me sound like a cross between Marge Simpson and Gonzo from the Muppets (yes, truly, and I still do a bit!!!), we managed to avoid anything horrible this year. In fact, it was all very peaceful, apart from Kyla and her Hannah Montana guitar and microphone!!! But our living room actually looks like Toys R Us at th mo so we are going to have to find homes for all her new stuff.

We never really think it through!!!!

We are taking her ladyship ten pin bowling tonight. She's not been before so it should be fun!!! We're getting ready to go shortly so on that note I'll say toodle pips and have a fab new years eve if I'm not back before then.

Finally, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has stopped by the pig sty this year and put up with my inane drivvle and ramblings. I really do appreciate it and wish you all a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Biggest hugs to all xxx

Wobbling Again!!!

No, not me this time (although I am as well, to be fair), but I mean the flipping computer AGAIN!! I'm sure the lad in our IT department will be thinking I fancy him or something - I am practically stalking him at the mo. This is the new one so I do not know what I am doing that is causing this!!

But I managed to get this on here, just about, although the photo editing is as fantastic as ever due to
a)crap light
b) crap operator (moi) and
c) the pc threatening to commit suicide at any moment

But we got there and as it's Tuesday, it's time for another Papertake Weekly Challenge and this week it's time to say Thank You. I'm sponsoring it this week and there is a £10 voucher up for grabs to spend any way you choose at Dies To Die For plus some fab cardage from the talented peeps that are our DT girlies :)



So this is me card.

Ohh these are awkward little beggars to photograph aren't they (easel cards that is), although they do look nice. I've used a H&S image which was given to me by a very lovely girlie but I better not name her cos I don't want her to get inundated or anything xxx.

I used the old PMs but if you think my little Hanglar girl is looking a bit anaemic, it's because my 'blush' pen is just about ready for the knackers yard and believe me peeps, I know how it feels right now cos I have one of them there viral weirdies again.

It's not going too well is it lol xxx



The papers are from my fave Pink Petticoat Little Fleurs download which is sadly retired, but I just love it. It was one of the first PP things I ever bought and I keep going back to it cos it is so fab.

The little heart is a Sissix thing - one that you bash with a hammer, and once again I used my MSBP to give a bit of shape to the layers.



No dodgy angle pic but I put this one in so you can see the other MSBP I used. The sentiment is a wobbly computer generated one.

So that's it for today. I have a mountain of work to do, a bracelet to make, prezzies to wrap and the brandy butter and cranbery sauce to prepare.

Now if anyone knows where the brush is ..........

Oh and it's Kyla's nativity play tonight, so I have lots of tissues ready. She is the little donkey this year, awww!!! I have to say that it is one of the highlights of Christmas for me and I sooo look forward to going, even though I always cry.

In case I don't post again before the 25th, have a fabbydoodles Christmas and I hope you get shed loads of goodies.

Chrimbly hugs to all xxx

Last Christmas!!!

Well I didn't really want to remember our last Christmas to be honest!!

But this is actually this week's challenge over at Anyone for Anya, which is to make your last Christmas card of the year. I chose Miss Snow Anya, and it was a popular choice of image cos a few of us used her.

It's nice though to see the different cards using the same image I think - check it all out if you get a sec.

Ooops, I nipped off the edges of her boots when I was doing me editing thing - doh!!!!

I coloured her with PMs and Glamour Dust - awesome combi IMHO, if ever so predictable where this old pink piggy is concerned.

And talking of awesome, you can get a fab range of TGF images and PMs from the wonderful Tracy at Dies To Die For :) - the new Miss Anya Love set is just the sweetest btw!!!

So anyhoos, this is my card.
I used my new MSBP again - LOVING it - to make the shaped layering.

The ribbons are both organza and a bit difficult to see them properly here cos they are so sheer.

I stuck a bit of bling onto the centre and now I am looking at it here, I cannot for the life of me think why I did that.

It shall be removed verrry shortly lol xxx

The paper I used is just gorgeous and it is one of the A Little Yummy For Your Tummy Magnolia papers which are available from Dies To Die For - you can see it here. I think it's lovely for winter cards.

The sentiment is a Papermania one and the little bit of lace up the centre is a bit I found in the bottom of the mess that is my ribbon box. It possibly came from Hobbycraft but I am not 100% certain!!!

LOADS of dimension on this one.

And that is me for today.
It is my Nikkie's birthday today so we are off out for lunch. Richard's cousin and his family are up from London so we are going to a little place we like in Parkgate on the Wirral which overlooks the marsh and the food is yummy!!! It's also Emma's birthday on Tuesday - I obviously had the same awesome planning as my mother did cos we are all in the same week!!!

So on that note I better go and get some slap on the old mush - polyfilla and a trowel these days and it still doesn't work sadly. I'd ask Santa baby for a face lift but what's the point!! It would be higher but just as ugly lol xxx

Have the fabbiest of Sundays and see you soon if not sooner.

Hugs to all xxxx

Hi everyone and I hope that you are all managing to stay warm in the freezing weather!!!

It's Friday so that means it's Just Magnolia time and this is our last challenge of 2009 and what a way to finish the year cos the loveliest Mina has done us a fab sketch to play with ....

Here it is :)

I really liked this sketch and will use it again for sure.

As always, Tilda was coloured with the good old PMs and Glamour Dust combi. The fab pens are available from Tracy over at Dies To Die For and she has some BARGAINOUS deals on at the mo plus loads of new goodies, so check it all out if you get a sec.


So this is what I did with the sketch.

I used my new MSBP (a prezzie from Tracy xxx) to cut out the centre panels. The ribbons were both stash randomers btw - I know the mesh one came from the local warehouse but I have no clue about the white and silver satin one, apart from the fact that it is a Beresford ribbon :(

The stars / flowers were made using flower punches. They are so easy peasy to make and I do know that there is a tutorial out there in Blogland somewhere but I cannot for the life of me remember where I saw it.

If I get a chance, I will try and do a mini tutorial and get it on here over the weekend xxx

The papers are both Pink Petticoat - Little Fleurs and Fairy Lights

And that;s the old card :)
The other DT girls have some fab work to share so nip across and see what they've done if you get chance.

Well we are snowless here :( But it is very VERY cold and I've been lighting our stove in the kitchen to keep the house a bit warmer. Richard and I are in competition, sad pair of sods that we are, to see who can make the best fire (we really should get out more, cos it's quite pathetic really lol xxx)

I did nearly have a disaster yesterday cos I was having a gab on the phone to Mrs Kath and I was fiddling with it and not watching what I was doing and I broke one of the panes of glass out of the front - ooops!!!

And we are trying to persuade Kyla that Santa is nice and not scary, cos she is petrified of him, bless her. She is ok with the fact that he comes down the chimney and leaves her giftage (mercenary or what!!) but only on the proviso that he doesn't come up the stairs or say ho ho ho!!!

We were supposed to be going on a little trip up the river tomorrow where you go on a canal boat and there are stories and things for the kids and then Santa gives them all a prez, but we had to give the tickets away cos there is no way I can subject her (or the other kids for that matter) to that.

He, the bearded weirdie that is, went to nursery yesterday and she would not entertain him, although she did like the book he left for her :) I hope that she gets a bit better about it all before the time comes when she susses it all out cos I feel like she is missing out in a way. I was telling Kath yesterday that I don't remember any kids when I was small being scared of him.

Is this a sign of the times do ya think?

Oh well I better go and finish some cards so that I can get them in the post before it's too late. Have a warm and crafty day peeps and see you soon.

Hugs to all xxxx

Return Of The Piggy lol xxx

Well that really was awful peeps.
It felt like my arm was missing!!!

But it is sooo nice to be back - and on my birthday as well. Sadly my puter is very very sick indeed and is in techie hospital as we speak :( Luckily for me, there were 24 days left on the warranty so it's over to the good folk at Dell to hopefully sort it.

Not only is is riddles with nasties, but the mother board has gone as well - not good at all.

All my papers, photos and downloads etc are on there so my fingers are well and truly crossed that it all turns out ok. I haven't even started to do my Christmas cards yet so that is going to be a real mad dash once it arrives back. And if it don't get here in time, then shock horror, I might even have to BUY them this year (perish the thought!!)

I managed to get a new pc sorted but then I had probs with the photo editing software - another flippin nightmare. But we are here now, just about, and just in time for another Papertake Weekly which this week is a piggy sketch -

this one here -

And this is what I did with it.

The image is the gorgeous Sassy Suzi which is available from the fabby Tracy at Dies To Die For and I coloured her with the old fave PMs and Glamour Dust combi - some things havent changed have they!!

Still the same old pink piggy!!!

The paper is also available from DTDF and it's My Minds Eye Oh La La - Lah Dee Dah. You can see it here.

The bow and button were out of the jumble that is my stash box!!!

And here's the wonky angle pic :)

Well I am keeping this short and sweet today cos Kyla is due home any second and she is going to help me unwrap my prezzies!! I bet it has been killing her all day cos she wanted to sort it this morning but we are waitign for Nikkie to arrive first. How good am I not opening anything (well apart from my FAB prezzie from Tracy xxxxx).

Hopefully it won't be another 2 weeks or so before I'm back again so have a great evening and see you soon.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Miss Lola da Vinci Meets PTW :)

Yes, here she is. She is Miss Lola da Vinci and she is one of the new Kraftin Kimmie images.

Kimmie is this week's sponsor over at Papertake Weekly, and not only do we have the usual fabby team cards, but Kim and 2 of her girlies have joined us for the challenge as well, so do nip over and check it all out when you get a sec lovelies.

It's wall to wall gorgeousness over there :)

Not only that, but if you fancy joining us for a spot of Papertake GDT-ing, then the details are there as well

So this week, it's time for another sketch .....

It's this little fella....


... and here is what I did with it.

It's another card for a special friend - the same special friend as the last card on here, but I had a mishap with that card so I couldn't send it to her.

She won't be at all surprised to know this cos she knows what a ditzy thing I am and she knows I have dozey mare-itus at the best of times lol xx

Anyhoos, I coloured Miss Lola with PMs and there is the teeniest bit go bling - I wasn't going to do it, but I just couldn't help meself lol xxxx I am addicted to the stuff - maybe I need a bit of bling avesion therapy!!!!

The papers are a selection of MME which are all available from the fabulousness that is Tracy at Dies To Die For. I am getting addicted to these papers as well!!!


The 'hangs head in shame' sentiment is from PP's Tiny Tags and the brad is a randomer from my stash box.

The ribbon is Poppicrafts and I did the coloured twine thing yet again!!!

There's a fair old bit of dimension going on here.

Well we are limping on here but the puter is still seriously unwell and I am having to get a new tower sent up. I have had major probs I really have and I might well end up losing all my papers and downloads.

If that happens I will cry buckets, like real snotty boo hoo cries, I really will.

This has all happened because I picked something up from someone's blog - don't know which one and they are probably not aware that there is a prob. But it's gotten hold of the hard drive and is not responding to any of the usual anti-virus stuff.

So peeps please be careful.

As as result, I am at the moment not able to visit any blogs or leave comments so the hugest apologies to everyone - I feel so bad about that I really do, but until we have this sorted, or until I work out how to use my phone to blog, I dare not take the risk.

So please bear with me lovelies xxx
You are out of sight at the mo but definately not out of mind xxx

It's been a dreadful few days and it wasn't helped by Miss Kyla pressing the defrost button on the freezer last week !!!!!. We found out on Sunday when I went to get something out of there and found a soggy mess. Richard, bless his heart (and I very nearly did), saw her do it but didn't realise that it was the defrost button.

**&^£~!!!!
(major expletives uttered but I won't repeat what I said cos you will only think I am a potty mouth!!).

But you can imagine the scene in our kitchen when this was going on.

On the plus side, we have an empty freezer now, ready to be filled with all manor of yumminess for Christmas. And in the great scheme of things, I guess it isn't that important.

And I will probably laugh about it one day soon.!!

Are you watching I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here?
Ohh wasn't it sad when Gorgeous George left!! And how sweet is Justin!! We think that Gino will probably win - and he is soooo funny!! His filthy dirty chocolate cake thing had us in fits last night.

On that note, my (very large) stomach is thinking that my throat has been cut cos I haven't had me lunch yet, so I am off for some grub. Hope you are all OK and speak soon.

Mahoosive hugs xxxxx

Sketchy Anya & Poorly 'Puter!!!

Oohh I've flippin struggled getting this post done this morning. My computer is seriously unwell and I am going to have to get the IT doc in first thing tomorrow.

But more of that in a sec.

As it's the last Sunday of the month, that means that it's time for another sketch over at Anyone For Anya. I used Dahlia - she is one of my faves - and this card is for a very special friend but I can't say who cos she will probably read this.

I coloured lil Dahlia with my PMs and gave her a bit of Glamour Dust sparkle :)

So this is the sketch - nice and simple, a bit like me lol xxx

And this is my take on it.

For a change, I raided my 12 x 12 box and the only thing I can tell you about this paper is that it had Craft Creations on it. So I am guessing that is where it came from originally but I think I got it from the sale I did ages ago!!!

And ohhh what joy!! Mr Postie brought me a parcel from a certain very special lady in the jolly old US of A and she has sent me 3 rolls of my fave ribbon!!

Woohoooo, no more nicking bits of other cards cos I have loads to play with again.

I won't name her but she knows who she is and she knows how chuffed I was with her gift.

Thank you my dear and wonderful friend- you are so kind xxxxx

The gorgeous centre of the ribbon (which sadly I haven't manged to capture properly) is a Prima Say It In Studs Crystal Centre which you can get from Tracy at Dies To Die For. It is so pretty and the sticky back is really good and tacky so it sits nicely. I am liking a LOT :)x

The pretty pink Bazzill card which you can just about see here is also from Tracy.

I don't know what I'd do without her xxxx

So that is my card and it is nothing short of a miracle that it has appeared.

I told you about this blank page problem last week? Well our IT guys had a look and there is a problem on the PC which they think it has caused. I asked them about using Chrome or Firefox and they are unable to recommend that for me for reasons I won't bore you wiht and as it is a company computer, I can't really argue. So I am for the moment stuck with IE and all it's foibles!!!!

It also seemed that my McAfee was not running like it should be so we got that going again and this was about 4pm on Friday afternoon - just as the IT boys were going home. Well it became obvious very soon after that that something is very wrong. I now cannot access my pictures folder properly, Photoshop is taking ages to open and sometimes it just crashes for no apparent reason, and the internet is, well, hit and miss to say the least.

So it has all been a bit stressful to say the least. I was seriously in danger of chucking it all through the window this morning but as I don't want to collect my P45 any time soon, I thought better of it!!!!

So this is a quick dart in and out today cos I don't want to push my luck. Hopefully it will all get sorted tomorrow and I will be back to normal (well as normal as I ever will be lol xxx).

Have the fabbiest of fab Sundays lovely peeps and see you soon.

Hugs to all xxx

A Little Christmas Magic :)x

I can't believe how quickly this week has gone. It only seems like a day or so ago when I did the Masking Ma-Tilda post.

I wonder if Leann is still singing it? :)))x

I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who e-mailed and left comments re my blank page thing yesterday - all very helpful and I am looking to get it sorted - I so appreciate your help lovely peeps xxxx

So it is Friday, the weekend is very nearly here and its time for another awesomely fab challenge over at Just Magnolia. This week it is a beautiful sketch by the loveliness that is Martine .....


And it's this one here. The DT girlies have as always produced some absolute stunners which are sure to inspire you so nip over if you get a sec and check it all out.

So this is my take on the sketch.

I was obviously still in 'masking' mode and these are 2 of the stamps I got from the NEC. But at least Tilda won't get her feet burned sitting on that gorgeous envelope (unlike the fireplace!!)

As always, I coloured her with the old PMs and Glamour Dust combi, and don't forget that you can get your very own bad boys from Tracy at Dies To Die For (as well as some Magnolia-tastic goodies)

The white centre panel has been Cuttlebugged with a Swiss Dots folder, and the brads are Basic Grey which I got from Simon Says Stamp.

The teeny sentiment is from the Pink Petticoat Tiny Tags Collection (have you seen the new Frilly Millies - gorgeous!!) and the ribbon is from a local floristry warehouse

The poinsettia is from Poppicrafts.

Oh yes, the doily punch is back (thank you Martha Stewart!!) and the papers are Funky Fairy's gingham and Liz's PP Stripes.

And that's the old card done!!!.

We are in prezzie wrapping mode today in an attempt to try and get a bit organised ready for Santa's visit!!! It won't work of course and on 24th at 11.30pm no doubt we will still be at it, but it's a start.

I so envy those peeps who serenely glide towards Christmas, with their prezzies bought and wrapped by October, the food all ordered everything sorted in loads of time. Me, I fly by the seat of me pants and I don't glide, I don't even jog towards it.

No, I run at full pelt shouting 'wait for me'!!

It's part of my scatty-ness I suppose and we always get through it without too many disasters (drunk drivers and thieving toe rags not withstanding - full story is here).

So Emma is on holiday today and Kyla's giftage is all out - as is Kyla, which his why we are doing it - as is the paper and then once it's done, it can all go away ready for the fat lad with the beard (no, not Richard, he doesn't have a beard chicksies, and don't feel sorry for him cos you should hear what he says about me lol xxx).

So on that note, I'm off to get some work done and then I can get stuck in and get wrapping.

Have a fab day peeps and see you soon if not sooner.

Huggiest of hugs xxxx

Just To Share & Also A Warning For You Peeps xxxx

So no challenge for this little sweetie bear, but I just had to share - it's a share bear lol xxx. I made it for a friend's baby for her first Christmas.

The image is just gorge and it is Christmas Teddy, of the fabbytastic Janet's over at Pink Gem.

What I loved about it - apart from the cutie-pie factor which it has shed loads of - is that you could use this for a girl or a boy and for young and old alike.

So this is what I did with it.

Verrrrry different for me cos there is no 6x6 base card !!!
This base was cut on the Cricut using the Wild Card cartridge. I coloured lil Ted with PMs and blinged her up a treat with some Glamour Dust.

Now that is not at all different for me cos I do it all the time lol xxxx

The paper is from Mad About Cards and the die cut shape is a nestie which I drowned in the blingy stuff!!!

nd check out those flat backed jewels - they are Svarowski crystals and I got them ages ago from Craftwork Cards.

Very posh or what :)))x

Bit tricky to get a shot to show the dimension but you can see it here just about.
So that's me card and it's one more ticked off the list!!!

Now I did say that I had a warning for you lovely peeps.

I have had a few probs leaving comments this week. What is happening is that as I go onto the blogs, my browser goes completely mad and starts opening lots of blank pages. It takes me ages to close them all down as they just keep on opening by themselves - very weird.

Now as you know, I am not at all techncial but I do think that this is due to some sort of digi nasty out there (sharp aren't I lol xxx)!! Has anybody else had this and if so, what is the best way tho get rid of it please peeps? I've run my anti spyware etc and fingers crossed, it seems to sort it, but I don't want to be doing this every five minutes. So any help would be greatly appreciated xxx.

On that note, I am off to do some work and then I have to go to sunny Birkenhead. Have a fab day and I hope it's stopped raining where you are!!

I'll see you tomorrow cos it's Tilda-tastic Just Magnolia day - woohoooo!!! Huggiest of hugs xxxx

Christmas Crackers :)

That's our theme over at Papertake Weekly.

I decided to use these little snowmen which I found during my move around. I had completely forgotten that I had them but I thought they went so well with the MME Colourful Christmas paper which I am sooo loving at the mo. The papers are all available from Tracey over at Dies To Die For .

But I am afraid to say that I had the snowmen for so long that I couldn't tell you if my life depended on it where they came from originally but I think you can still get them. They are Build A Jo by Imaginisce if it's any help xxx

So this is my card.
I'm afraid that due to my aweosme photography (not!!), you can't really see the full effect here.

I did a frame card which was a former PTW challenge a good while back, and I really liked it. The very lovely Claudia did a tutorial and you can see how to make them here - they are ever so easy :)

I stuck the snowmen onto acetate and then used silicone glue (that stuff has the most foul smell!!) to attach them to the card. What you can't really see is that they are both on sort of an angle and their arms are sticking out of the frame.

We've done the button / twine / cocktail stick thing again (yawn yawn!!).

I also used a Fiskars Threading Water punch to create a little frame to go around the aperture. I thought it balanced out the white of the base card quite nicely.

No arty farty angle shot today - I'm having a day off!!!

So that's me card done and if you get a sec, nip over and check out what the rest of the girlies have done with the challenge - loads of Papertake fabulousness for sure.

Have a fab day and I'll see ya very soon xxx