Have Yourself An Easy Peasy Christmas!!!

    

Hi there peeps and I hope you are all OK today.

Over at Papertake Weekly we have a sketch for you and …

… this is the very bad boy here :)

As always on sketchie weeks we are sponsored by our lovely Heidi and Simon Says Stamp  …

… and there is a $20 voucher up for grabs :)

I kept to the sketch quite religiously BUT I did  do a bit of a twist !!

I used a Craftwork Cards Fanciful Card blank for the background and covered it in Nitwits FQB Mr & Mrs Collection &  FQB - Life's Little Lemons Collection papers.

Then I put the rest of the sketch on top :)

Once again I have used one of the  Lili Of The Valley Mini Masterpieces and this one is Mini Masterpieces 4 – super cute lil pengies, aww :) No colouring needed as it’s all done for you so another really quick and easy card to put together. I added a Cuttlebug embossed background behind the image and piled on the bling as I do.

No wonder the poor cat runs when she sees that glitter box coming out!!! 

More of that beautilicious 15mm Black No 10 Small Check gingham ribbon, as well as a  Medium Black Polka Dot Button and some black button twine, all courtesy of The Ribbon Girl.

I also tucked a bit of White Crazy Mesh Fabric behind the image as well.

So that's the old card done.

Emma went on holiday this morning with the 2 dinkies and I am sooo missing them already and cannot wait to have them back and just munch them to pieces. The baby was very well behaved on the plane apparently– I was so worried about her travelling so young but she seemed fine, so silly old Grandma, what do I know!!! Kyla was beyond excited when we all went out to dinner last night. She could barely contain herself and promised to bring me something nice back, bless her. She is such a lovely and loving kid and always thinks of others (beams with pride as she types that bit)!!

Ohh it is going to be a very long week without them!!

On the plus side I will probably have more time to craft so R tells me to make the most of it. That said, we are decorating our back bedroom as we are moving into it once it’s done now that Emma has vacated the premises ( I feel she has been gone long enough now to nick her old room !!! ) so that is going to have to be done and without a little helper around, it will get done a lot quicker to be fair.

So on that note I better go and do the next thing on my list – there is always a ‘next thing’. I’ll be back tomoz for my weekly trip across the pond, so until then, have a fab evening and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

A Little Update For You

Hi sweet peeps and hope you are all OK today and that you had a fab weekend:)

This is just a quick update on the little fish and chips jumpers.

To date, we have collected 581 jumpers and 576 beanies and I am totally and utterly gobsmacked by how many kind folk there are out there. And this isn't counting a box of over 400 and another box that has a fair old few in – they haven’t yet been counted.

When I put the call out, I have to say that I sort of expected a couple of dozen but never in my wildest dreams did I think that we would end up with so many and once again, the biggest most mahoosive thank you to every single person that has contributed here, either by knitting, or spreading the word.

The shipment is going out to Africa in September so these all have to be sent to where they are going first (Preston I THINK?) and then they will weave their way across the sea to the little mites who need them.

So my contact has put a deadline which some of you know about  via emails etc of mid August for us to send them the last lot so if anybody has any lying about that you want to post to me, it’s probably best to do it now rather than wait. I would die if any tuned up after the cut off point as I just would not know what to do with them :(

The downside of all of this wonderful generosity is that I intended when I started to photograph every single one that arrived at chez Piggy,  but it soon became clear that this wasn’t going to be viable – I would still be there now with me camera!!!!  It also means that I haven't yet gotten around to saying thank you personally to everyone because I have been so busy getting them in and packed and over to my contact. But once the last lot have left here, I will sit down and say thank you to everybody properly so please bear with me peeps.

Finally just before I go, just a quickie to tell you about the most FABULOUS giveaway from our Mary & Andrea over at The Ribbon Girl. You can see it here so don’t miss out but here’s something to whet your whistle in the meantime ……

… is that beautimous or what!!!

Nip and have a mooch if you get a sec peeps and I’ll see you back here tomoz for a bit of Papertake-ee type fun!!

Have a fab day and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

FABulous Dies :)

Hi peeps and hope you are all OK on yet another sunny day here in the UK – wooohooooo :)))).

It’s time to nip across the water and catch up with our friend at ….

the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and our theme this week is

Anything Goes

The design team have all featured the amazing new Simon Says Stamp Dies !
Of course, you don't have to use them to join in but we would love to see them used if you have them :-)

As always, our lovely Heidi is giving away a fabulous …

… for one lucky winner to spend …

So …..

(bright and zingy alert btw peeps!!)  ….

... this is what I did.

I LOVE the sunny colours here – really cheery.

They are courtesy of the delish papers from this …

   Bo Bunny 6 x 6 ALORA Paper Pad

Aren't they fab!!!

As I said before, the DT this week are showcasing the new Simon Says Stamp exclusive dies and I’ve  used 2 on my card.

Firstly, I used this  …

     

Allegro Corner Die

I cut 4 and put them together with the corners pointing to the inside.

It makes a lovely pattern and it doesn't matter if the corners don’t meet in the middle because the sentiment panel in the centre covers it up.

The bloom was made using ….

  .. this Bella Bloom Die.

   

As always, I cannot leave well alone and stuck little spots of grey onto the petals, really just to pick up the colour from the paper. But it makes them look a but funky I think.

So that’s my card and if you get a sec, nip across and check out the challenge and also what the other girlies have been up to :)

I’ll be back soon as soon so until then, have a great evening and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

The Easiest of Peasiest Sneakie Peekie

 

 

Hi there sweet peeps and phew it is a muggy old day here today!!!

It’s that time of the week when we nip over anc check out what the Papertake Weekly gang have been up to and this week we  want you to

Make Your Own

It can be anything you want as long as you made it yourself so it could be blooms, an image,  DP or just a sentiment.

Which ………………

… is exactly what I did, lazy trout!!!

So the Lili Of The Valley image I’ve used today is called

Together At Christmas

but I’ve actually used it on the form of  Mini Masterpiece No 9

All the hard work is done for you, making these a must have for your Christmas stash I reckon.

I didn't use any DP which is so unlike me but I really like how this card came out.

     

I decided that I wanted lots of white so that the colour would really stand out on the mini masterpiece, so I used a couple of Cuttlebug embossing folders and I used  Seeing Spots & Swiss Dots – ohh that rhymes - which are both available from Simon Says Stamp 

I LOVE this little arrangement thingie here.

I made the bow using  15mm Black No 10 Small Check gingham ribbon and tied some tiny red bells together with some  black button twine. The gadunga die cut holly leaves are courtesy of Sir Tim of Holtzville ie his Sizzix Holly Branch Die from Simon Says Stamp

Ooops I nearly forgot about the  Black Jute Mesh Ribbon from The Ribbon Girl which you can just about see peeping out there!!

I think this is going to be one of my Chrizzie cards for this year – it’s just so easy to do.

 

Now just before I go, here’s a little  reminder for you sweet peeps to set your alarm clocks because ……..

… wooohooo they are on sale at midnight tonight!!!!

NOT that you need reminding of course lol!!! They are so adorable and you will be spoilt for choice as always :) Have you picked your faves yet???

So I better go and get to the chemist before it shuts. My left arm provided a veritable feast for some midgey or other last night and I woke up with 5 huge bites. They have been itching like mad today and driving me up the wall so I better go and get some anti- histamine cream etc before I lose me rag completely with them and then I might have to wreak terrible revenge on the pesky critter that did it!!! (where’s me bloody slipper when you need it!!!)

Have a fab day and I’ll see you tomoz when it’s time to head on over the water.

Enjoy your evening whatever you are doing. We are off the Emma's for diner – yum yum AND I get cuddles from my two special girlies :) Our little baby Thea had her first jabs yesterday and that, along with the heat, made her so miserable last night. I felt really sorry for her, because she didn't know what to do with herself, poor little thing. She is a bit better today but all the same, she probably just needs Grandma’s magic touch lol!!!!

Any excuse isn't it!!!

TTFN and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

 

)Didn’t We Have A Lovely Time … (Plus Another Sneekie Peekie Just For You :)

     

Hi there lovely peeps and what  glorious day it is today :)

The sun is shining and quite frankly it is WARM!!!

Today I have another Lili Of The Valley sneakie peek for you – have you picked your faves yet?? - plus some piccies from our fabulous day yesterday meeting Claudia at Sir Stampalot .

But firstly …..

… here’s my sneak peek and I think you can possibly see Claudia's influence in this (but sadly not her talent, cry cry!!)

This sweet little girlie is called

Wishing & Waiting

& I think she is soooo sweet.

I have coloured her in a different way than I usually would and love how she turned out.

I used the following Copics

Skin – E0000, E000, E00, E11, E13, R00, R02, R20

Hair – E31, E33, E34, E35, E39, E50

The rest – R85, RV0000, RV000, RV00, YG0000, YG00, YG03, YG23, YG63, W00, W1, W3, W5, W7

and I used Copic X-Press paper which I bought from Sir Stampalot. It is soooo nice to colour on and I am totally converted to this card, I can tell you!!! .

The papers (which are absolutely gorgeous) are from the FQB Mr & Mrs Collection from Nitwits.

A pretty double bow made from 15mm Black No 10 Small Check gingham ribbon,  some 4mm pearl string and a sweet pale pink small polka dot button tied with some black button twine.

And it’s all from Mary at The Ribbon Girl. ….

…. as is the  15mm wide pink tuille which I tucked behind the image panel,  and as are the Sugar and Spice self adhesive pearls.

It’s my one stop shop for beauimous stuff!!!!

A mixture of bloomage here :)

So that’s the card done and now for news of yesterday.

I was beyond excited to get to meet the sweetness that is Claudia for the first time – and I do hope it won’t be the last. This girl has every reason to be full of herself because she truly is one of the most talented crafters out there, not to mention one of the best colourers EVER.

But was she?

Not one single bit – and she will be cringing at what I’ve written, but it is true!!

She is simply one of the nicest crafters I have ever met – totally ‘ego-less’. She is quiet and unassuming and just my sort of girlie. I spent the best couple of hours with her and learned so much, as did the rest of the class. There were hugs and tears when we met and when she saw Carole who is probably her closest friend in the UK for the first time, well it was very special for them both.

From the bottom of my heart Claudia, thank you my sweet friend for a fabulous afternoon and for sharing your gift with us xxxx 

And also hugest of thanks to Janice & Andy at Sir Stampalot too.  Janice is super sweet and is so helpful when I need anything for my commissions,  and the shop is amazing!! I could have spent the whole day mooching about but sadly for me, Richie Rich was lurking and had a beady eye on my purse!!!  I hasten to add that I didn't make him sit around while we were crafting!! He went off to explore a bird of prey centre nearby and came back to collect me later on. I was gutted not to be able to go out and have dinner with them because we had to get back to feed the birds while it was still light. But next time, well we will plan it a little better.

Wanna see some pics?

 

Watching the master (mistress) at work!!!

Carole, Claudi and the (rather chubby!!) piggy!!!

My God, where did those breasticles come from!! They aren’t mine.

Are they???

I wish, but sadly I think it’s the angle of the camera!!!!

We only needed one more in front and we could have done Bohemian Rhapsody!!!!

I look like I’ve just gegged in in the pic don't I!!!

I was invited, honest!!!

This is me with sweet Sheila – another super talented and very lovely lady.

I think I should point out that I do have other clothes peeps!!

I realised as these pics were being taken that I was wearing the same stuff that I wore for my class last weekend. So no need for a collection me darlings, and I will make sure that next time I wear something different lol!!.

Right well I think I’ve rambled on enough. Have a brilliant Sunday and see you soon as soon.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

It’s All So Quiet …..Shhh Shhhhhh!!!

Good morning lovely peeps and hope you are all OK today :)

It’s nearly the weekend and I am so excited because tomorrow I get to meet up with Claudia at long last. I am as excited by that as I am at doing one of her fabulous workshops :))))))))) I’m sure there will be pics to share so I’ll pop them on here next week.

But before that,  I have a little sneakie peekie for you and it’s one of the brand new Lili of The Valley Christmas stamps which are out on 25th – not too long to wait now.

This little sweetie doesn’t have an official name yet but we still think he is darn tooting cute!!!

See what I mean – aww bless him. 

He’s sound asleep, waiting for the fat laddie in the red suit to call and dreaming of all the prezzies he will hopefully get.

I can almost hear him snoring!!!

I coloured him with these Copics -

B0000, B000, B00, B12, C1, C4, C5, E42, E43, E50, E51, E53, E81, G0000, G000, G00, G21, R05, R17, R27, Y0000, Y21, Y28

And the pretty papers are all from the Nitwits FQB Holiday Charm collection – aren't they beautimous!!!

The bow was made using Wavecrest Seam Binding and topped off with a sweet Red Small Polka Dot Spotty Button. Both are from The Ribbon Girl, of course!!! I am sooo getting me some more of those buttons ready for Christmas!!!

The borders were done with a Memory Box pearl lace die from Simon Says Stamp.

LOVE this die!!!!

  

I did the sentiment on the computer :)

As soon as I saw the image, I knew exactly what I wanted to go with it.

So that’s the old card done, but before I tootle off, have you heard the news?

Here you go, have a peeps  ………..

… and I for one cannot wait because these Open Days are brilliant.

So make a date in your diaries chicksies and we hope to see lots of you there.

There are different classes on offer including 'Advanced Marker Pen Colouring with Bev,  'Beginner's Marker Pen Colouring with el Piggy here,  'Colouring with Distress Inks with Laila' and 'Beginner's Cardmaking with Anne'. Places are limited so if you would like more information and to book, please email erica@liliofthevalley.co.uk

And finally …..

… have you seen these?

I’ll be making some stuff with them over the next few days so I’ll pop back and share but these really are the best things since sliced bread - perfect for those times when you need a card in a hurry and don't have ages to spend colouring in an image. And super good value as well :)  And you can see them all right here!!

So that’s me done for today and I’m off to pack for the weekend – wooohoooooo!!!

Have a good one, whatever you are doing and I’ll see you next week.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

My Blog Hop Winner Is ……………….

Hi there sweet peeps and just a quickie here to say that I should have done me mini blog hop draw yesterday.

I just remembered now so I legged it up to here sort it.

Anyway the winner is ..

… it’s you-hooo Sue Bearhouse

You’ve won a fabulous prize from Which Craft :) .

If you can send me an email with your deets chick, I’ll arrange to get your prize sent out to you. Congrats on your win and hugest of thanks to everybody who took part, and also to Paula fopr donating the prize xxx

Have a fab night and I’ll see you tomoz (ohh yes I will!!).

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Sweet Tilda :)

  

Hi there peeps and hope that you are all OK today xxx

Scuse my little rant the other day but I was soooo hopping mad – you may have noticed – that I had to vent a bit!!!

Anyway all is calm again now

It’s time for another Simon Says Stamp Challenge ….

…. but before we get to the actual challenge bit, the DT would like to ask you if you would please join in with the Cards for Maddy Card Drive. Maddy is a 13 year old girl who is undergoing treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

For further details please see THIS post on the Simon Says Stamp Blog
Thank you for looking :-)

So onto the challenge and this week we have a sketch ….

… this one here by yours truly, and of course there is a fab prize from our Heidi of a whopping ….

... which our lucky winner will get to spend in the store ….

… right here :)

The DT are showcasing 
MY FAVORITE THINGS
products this week - you don't have to use them to join in but we would love to see them used if you have them :-)

So ….

… this is what I did.

I used my new Tilda image and coloured her with these Copics -

Skin -  E000, E00, E11, E21, R00, R02

Hair – E43, E50, E81

The rest – C00, C1, C3, C4, C5, G99, R02, R17, R27, R59, YG0000, YG00, YG03, YG23

The papers are from the My Minds Eye Life of The Party 6 x 6 Paper Pack – those colours are amazing.

The bloom in the centre is made from a Mini Rolled Roses Die-Namics Die set and I sat it on a Magnolia Doily Flower which I’d coloured with Copics YG0000. I used a Martha Stewart Frond Leaf punch for the leaves.

I put the sentiment which I printed out onto  SAFMAT Self-Adhesive Printing Film onto a die cut made from a MFT Bracket Tab Die-Namics die. I really love the shape of this :)

  

So there’s the old card done,.

I am once again doing the mad dash thing cos I am out of the door in about 5 minutes so best get me skates on!! If you get a sec do nip over and check out the challenge peeps cos there are some fab pieces of work to be seen over there.

I’ll be back as soon as soon but until then have a fab day and huggiest of hugs to all xxx