A Final Total, A Bit Of A Disaster & Something Completely Different!!!!

Hi there sweet peeps and hope you are all OK and having a great week :)

Before we get to the post, I can now reveal the final total of the jumpers and beanies that everyone has so kindly knitted. I think I said before that when I put the call out, I knew that some of you lovely crafty peeps would want to help. So I thought we might get a few dozen. Then when they started arriving I thought we might get a hundred or so. But never in my wildest dreams did I think we would get what we did get.

So my involvement with the appeal is now done and thanks to you all out there we managed to collect ….

2215 jumpers and 1902 beanies

and that is an awful lot of babies who will now have something to call their own.

So thank you thank you thank you xxx

It goes without saying that I think you are all amazing and this is not just the fabulous knitters but of course everyone who helped by giving it a toot and sending people over here to have a look. And to Liz  in the next village who has taken them all to be shipped and to the lovely ladies in Purple Butterfly Crafts who have stored them there for us.

I have a list of individual thank yous to write so please bear with me if I haven’t gotten around to you yet, but if it takes me all year I will!!

So now for my late late post which should have been on here yesterday as it’s time to head across the water and catch up with our friends over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and this week it’s all about

Anything Goes

which means you can get all crafty and creative – marvellous!!!!

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

… for one lucky winner to spend …

…right here.

And this week we have all featured Hero Arts products but of course, you don’t have to use them to join in but  if you have them, why not have a bash too :)

So …..

… this is what I did and this week I haven’t done a card.

It’s that time of the year when I start to think about making bits and bobs for Christmas and I thought I’d make a quick and easy bookmark.

It’s kind of hard to explain it but the piece at the front with the image panel on is actually a long strip folded in half and the front side covered with paper and the image panel added. This is then tucked into ….

… the bit at the back.

You can then place each side of the front piece over the page if that makes sense (sorry if I am not explaining it very well but the head is all over the shop at the mo!!

The papers are Basic Grey WHAT'S UP 6 x 6 Cardstock – I really like the soft peaches and greens in these papers.

The image is made using a Clear Hero Arts Stamps Sparkle SCALLOP HELLO FRIEND cl313 with Gem Gemstones pack and I coloured it with Copics but due to the melee that went on here yesterday, I don’t have the list. But it’s mainly YR colours plus G99 and YG00 if that helps.

   

You can see both pieces together in this pic and the top pic is how it looks when they are put together.

Hugest apols to Simon Says Stamp for being so late  but we had a bit of a disaster yesterday.

It had  been raining really badly during the night because we could hear it, and it was still raining heavily when we got up. I pottered about and then left to go to the hoz to see my aunty. Well when we got back, there was water all over the kitchen floor. I’d left the washing machine on and I thought that maybe that had sprung a leak but it wasn’t that and after a bit of investigation, we found that it was coming in from the roof and there was a crack in the joist in the kitchen ceiling. So we were trying to sort it out but we then had to turn off the electrics – my hair is curly enough -  and so I had no pc or anything. By the time we got it cleared up and fixed etc it was quite late.  I just wanted a bad day to end so I went off to bed and this is the first chance I’d had today.

So that was that and hopefully it will be fine now but I am dreading the next time it rains. To be fair we haven't had rain like that for a long time – it was dreadful. My Emma 6 miles up the road had a bit but not like us.  But all the same, I will be holding my breath next time it starts again.

So have a great day and see you all soon as soon and finally before I go, this is just a reminder that the Children's Holiday Challenge which you can find HERE closes at 8am EST on 31st August so if your dinks haven't yet entered and want to do so, there’s still a bit of time left.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Quick & Easy (We LIKE Them) + My Gorgeous Giveaway Winner (We Like Them Too :)

Hi there lovely peeps and hope you are all OK and that you had a great weekend :)

Before we get to the winner of my giveaway, it’s time to nip across and check out what’s happening over at Papertake Weekly and this week we have something a bit different for you because it’s a

Sketchie Free For All

which means that you get to pick the sketch that floats your boat and use that one - wooohoooooo!!.

As always at sketchie week, we are sponsored by the one and only

Simon Says Stamp

…and there is a $20 voucher up for grabs for you to spend in Heidi’s shop – woohoooo again :)

So I went for sketch #63 which has turned out to be quite popular this week and this …..

  

… is what I did.

I did another Christmas card and once again this is a very simple and quick one cos to be honest, we don't always have shed loads of time to faff about do we when it comes to that time of the year!!!

I used one of the brilliant mini masterpieces from Lili Of The Valley and this one is

Mini Masterpieces 2

so no colouring cos it’s all been done for you -  I added a bit of glitter though cos I just cannot help meself really!!!

The beautimous papers are from Lili of The Valley and are from  ……

          

… these 8 x 8 paper pads - Krafty Christmas and Classic Christmas

A bow made with 15mm Black No 10 Small Check gingham ribbon from The Ribbon Girl plus some natural button twine and some bells from my stash which I’ve had for yonks!!!

 

Oops – I bent the card without realising it when I put the sticky fixers underneath – what a flamin dope and why do I only spot these things when I put the pics on here?????? !! I’ll straighten it in a tick!!!

The sentiment was done on the old pc and the scalloped border is a Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Scallop E8-001 from Simon Says Stamp

So that’s it for the old cardio and now for my winner from last week’s Gorgeous Giveaway and it is ….

… you Mags B

Well done me darlin and if you ping me a quick email, I’ll pass on your deets to the sweet peeps that are Mary & Andrea at The Ribbon Girl and your goodies will be on their way to you. Hugest of thanks to them for this fab prize and also to everyone who joined in and don't forget that there will be another giveaway next month -  next time it could be you!!!

Right I am off to do some bits and bobs so have a great day and I’ll see you tomoz.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Snowy & Sparkly & A Gorgeous Giveaway Too :)

 

Hi there lovely peeps and hope you are all OK today :)

It’s time to sprinkle a bit of fairy dust and nip over and catch up with the Lili’s Little Fairies Challenge and today it’s all about

Spots Or Stripes

I couldn't decide which one to do, so I did both …..

  

… as you can see!!!

The stripes are on the paper and the spots are on the prezzie on the image.

And speaking of the image ….

… here it is in close up.

It is of course the super sweet Delivering The Presents and I coloured it with the following Copics -

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

The rest -

B0000, B000, B00, B02, B93, B95. B97, E31, E33, E34, E35, E39, E50, E79. E81, W00, W1, W3

The papers I used today are from this ……

Petal Fresh 8x8 paper pad from Lili Of The Valley– it’s gorgeous – and the card base is a Craftwork Cards  Elegant Square card blank.

I am loving these at the mo!!!

Some Ribbon Girl pretties here.

The bow was made using Royal Peacock Seam Binding and I made a little topper using a 6mm White Pearl Flat Back which I glued onto a Diamante 11mm Round Spacer. There’s also some Cream Jute Mesh Ribbon and a couple of  White Hat Pins.

 

The sentiment is from one of the new release and it’s set 35, Christmas Handwritten Phrases.

  

So that’s the old card and now it’s time for my monthly gorgeous giveaway which has been very kindly donated by my lovely friends Mary & Andrea at The Ribbon Girl and this month we have a beautiful …..

…. Blue Mini Ribbon Kit to give to one lucky winner.

If you fancy getting your mitts on that lovely kit, then all you have to do is to leave me a comment and then pop your name with Mr Linky. It’s that easy peasy :) I’ll announce the winner next Tuesday when I do me PTW card.

Right I better go. I am just taking Kyla to do a bit of shopping and then if we get time we are nipping in to see my aunt who is in hospital.

Have a fab day and I’ll see you soon if not sooner.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

And The Winner Is …………

Evening peeps and hugest of thanks to everyone who took part in the  blog hop today. We hope that you all enjoyed it :)

And wooohooo, I was one of the DT who had a hidden prize and my winner is …….

………….  you Marjan.

Well done to you and if you email me your deets chick I’ll pass them on and your prize will be on it’s way.

And what did you win?

Well you won the full set of the brand new Christmas sentiment clear stamp sheets -  1 each of the new designs. Is that fab or is that FAB!!!!

Now to everyone else who didn’t win, please pop back on Thursday as I have a gorgeous giveaway and you have to be in it to win it. And of course, in less than 20 minutes, the new release will be on sale :)

Have a fab evening and hugs to all xxx

You Won’t Wanna Miss This Bad Boy!!!!

   

Hi there sweet peeps and hope you are all OK.

Today we’re holding a Lili of the Valley sneakie peekie blog hop to celebrate the launch of the brand new Christmas Animals and Sentiment stamps!  This new release has  10 of the cutest critters ever plus there are 4 new sets of Christmas sentiments. You can get your mitts on them from midnight tonight so not long to go now :)

And of course, the fab new paper pads are also now on sale – I just LOVE them :) 

So on with the hop and the DT are all taking part.

All you need to do to take part is to visit each one of us and leave us a comment. Not only will you be in with a chance of winning the most amazing prize, but you will hopefully get loads of inspiration and ideas along the way. We don’t know where the prizes are so make sure you visit every blog.

The winners will be announced TONIGHT and our 2 lucky winners will be drawn at random from the comments that were left on those cards.

So do you want to know what the prizes are then chicksies?

Well……

Prize 1 – A full set of the brand new Christmas sentiment clear stamp sheets -  1 each of the new designs (it’s worth £50.00)
Prize 2 - the full set of the new Christmas animal rubber stamps (worth £45.00 )

So here’s the sneakie peekie card I’m sharing today ….

... and I’ve used Fir Cones.

I coloured it with the following Copics -

B0000, B00, B39, B93, B95, B97,
C00, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7,
E31, E33, E35, E39, E47, E49, E50, E57, E79,
N00, N3

The papers I’ve used are both from these new paper pads ….

       

… and they are Krafty Christmas and Frosty Christmas and both have been designed by Laila :)

A little bit of fiddle-de-dee going on here!!!

The tag is from one of the new sentiment sets and the bow and pins are both from The Ribbon Girl (16mm Dark Brown/White No 4003 Berisford Pencil Stripe ribbon and Turquoise Hat Pins)

Other stuff I used is a Craftwork Cards  Fanciful Card base and Magnolia Lovely Fence Die and Memory Box Delicate Fern Die.

Both dies are from Simon Says Stamp

So that’s me card done and now it’s on with the hop.

If you’ve come here from Claudia’s blog then you are in the right place and from here you need to nip over and see our lovely Dena 

In case you get lost etc,  here’s a list of all the blogs taking part and remember you will need to visit them all to be in with a chance of winning;

Anne
Bev
Claudia
Dawny P (moi!!)
Dena
Elise
Fleur
Gretha
Katarina
Lena Katrine
Lou
Moni
Pops

Good luck with the hop and I’ll be back soon as soon.

Have the best day and hugs to all xxx

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Hi there sweet peeps and hope you are all OK on this rather wet and windy day here in not so sunny Chester!!

It’s time to head across the water and catch up with our friends over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and this week it’s all about

Animal Antics

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

… for one lucky winner to spend …

…right here.

So …..

.. this is what I did.

I LOVE Penny Black Hedgies and this one is called Exhilarating (you can really feel the movement in this image I think)

The papers I used today are  from the Bazzill AVALON 6 x 6 Paper Multi-Pack.

I coloured the image with these Copics -

C00, C1, C2, C4, C5, C7, E50, G99, R02, R05, R17, R27, R59, YG00, YG23

These hedgies are super easy to colour :)

 

The border die is made from a Memory Box pearl lace die and the ribbon and button were from my stash

 

So that’s the old cardio done for today and please excuse my mad dash but I have 1001 things to do today and time is running out fast – ohhhherrrr!!

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

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

A Sharing Post :)

Hi there peeps and hope you are all OK today.

It’s time for a bit of Papertake Weekly and this week it’s all about

Spots n Stripes

Quite self explan really – we just want to see, well, spots ‘n’ stripes lol!!!

There is a fab prize from the sweetness that is Katharina from Whiff of Joy plus we have a fab brand new DT member to introduce so if you get a sec, nip over for a nosey :)

So ….

… here’s what I did.

The image is one of the fabulous mini masterpieces (this is Mini Masterpieces 25) - all the work has been done so all I needed to do was add a bit of bling here and there.

The papers are from …..

… these awesome paper pads which will be on sale tomorrow, woohoooooo.

If you went along to the Open Day you will probably have bagged yourselves some because they are completely irresistible. I used papers from the Bonnets & Bowties and Promises pads.

Some yummies from my fave place for all things pretty –  The Ribbon Girl, natch!!

A bow made with 25mm Pink No 57 Small Check Gingham, and a lavender small polka dot spotty button tied with candy pink divine bakers twine. You can also just about see the white tulle which I tucked behind the image :)

The sentiment is from the Lili of The Valley Sentiment Set 29 , the ribbon  is 25mm Pink No 2 Berisford Satin ribbon and I used some Sugar and Spice self adhesive pearls.

There’s also a bit of Tilda Lace and Magnolia leaf and swirl die malarky going on :)

    

So that’s my bit done and now it’s time for Miss Kyla’s card for the …

Simon Says Children’s Challenge. She is also entering it into the Little Hands Challenge as well :)

She would normally have been one of our mini designers but she wasn't about when I needed her to do a card and as her crafting stuff is all at mine (wonder why!!) she wasn't able to get one done in time.

But she wanted to join in and this …

  

.. . is what she did, bless her.

She coloured Tilda with her new felt pens and some of my Pro Markers  (you didn't think I'd let her loose with my Copics did you lol) and I kind of lost track of which colours she used. There are quite a few anyway, and don’t you just love her rosy cheeks!!

She was also very definite that she wanted Tilda to have twinkly hair – chip off the old block fo sho -  so she gave her a Glamour Dust shampoo!!! I have no clue what the paper is – I don't even know whereabouts  in my craft room she nicked it from!! I do know though that the flowers were part of a pack I got from Purple Butterfly Crafts. I can really see a difference from the one she did last year and her colouring is coming on a treat. She also seems to be adopting the less is more thing now as well.

CAS – that’s ma girl!!!!

Right I better go. I’ll be back tomoz with my weekly trip across the water but until then,  have a fab night and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

 

Didn’t We Do Well :)

Morning sweet peeps.

I hope you all had a fab weekend. Mine was quite busy really. On Saturday we had the Lili of The Valley Open day and it was brilliant – how lovely to see lots of you there and didn’t the shop look FAB!! Soooo much prettiness and all in one place too :)   Hugest of thanks to everybody that came to my classes – you were all so nice and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did and I can’t wait for the next one.

Then yesterday was baby Thea’s Christening – I managed to sneak the pic above just before the service started. It was such a lovely family  day and everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The service was really nice and the priest got the kids involved and gave them all a little ‘job’ to do ie holding oils, candles, directing the Godparents etc etc and it went really well. Thea was really good for most of it but had a little cry when the first oils were put onto her, but she didn’t turn a hair at the water. But just like Kyla was at her Christening, she was not at all  impressed with her posh outfit (even though she looked gorgeous) and we ended up changing her into something cooler once we got back to the hotel.

The weather was very kind to us as well so we sat out in the hotel gardens for most of it and the only downside was that my aunt is still poorly and in hospital so she wasn’t able to come. So we went to see her afterwards and took the baby and some cake along  so that she didn't feel so excluded.

Then it was back home, a quick change out of our glad rags and it was time to settle down to watch the closing ceremony.

It’s slightly sad to think that it’s all over for another 4 years and I certainly won’t see another British Olympics in my lifetime. But I think we did really well and not just our amazing athletes – the organisers can give themselves mahoosive pats on the back as well  because  it all went pretty smoothly.

The closing ceremony itself was brilliant and I could not pick my fave bit really, apart from  Boris dancing and Queen (even though Jessie J got on me pip a bit – major attention seeker me thinks!!!).

But the real stars of it all have been Team GB – they have done us proud.  So I found this  on YouTube and had to share. It's nice to see them letting their hair down and I thought I’d share it with you and hope it starts off your week with a smile :)))))

 

See you tomorrow and huggiest of hugs to all xxx