hic

Hello blogworld

Well here I am, slightly inebriated (I'm on my second glass of Lambrini! - oooh do I know how to rock or what!!), slightly stuffed (a home-made pizza - and I make huuuuge pizzas) with a helping of Vienetta (other ice-cream products are available) wondering what the hell happened to 2013.

Is it a symptom of getting older or is it just me wot is wondering where the years are going?? Hmmm, is it now? Seems to me once upon a time a year lasted a year, now I could swear it was only 6 months ago that I was staring down the nose of 2013.

Anyways, I know I've scheduled a post for tomorrow, as I don't think I'll actually get on the computer then but I do want to join in with Debby's Favourite Five of 2013 so here I am.  The title still makes me think of the Famous Five - loved those books!

So after much deliberation, cogitation and plain thinking about it - here's me five (oops no 7!):

Lickety Spit

Ha now either I'm completely sozzled or I can't find this one on the blog! (So I'll add an extra card!)

Returning Cutie

For my friend

Furry Friends

A dear friend

And finally:

Making a scene

Hmmm, seems to have been a much less embellished year this year - doesn't it.  Apart from the last one of course.

So I'm away to bed now, a'cause I'm slightly tingly of the toes and fingers and don't want to type anymore.

Hope everyone has a happy, safe New Year and I'll see you on the other side.

But before I go - thanks for all the wonderful comments you leave - they are soooo appreciated.

Happy New Year

Sarah

A quick reminder

Hi blogworld

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and you all are looking forward to some great New Year celebrations.

I've just popped on to remind you all that there is a new challenge over at Digi Choosday, also some news.  I've stepped down from the DT, a difficult decision and one that I thought very hard about - but the right one in the end.

I've loved being on the Team and I'm sure that you won't stop joining in just because I'm no longer there!!!!!

See you soon,

Sarah

It's Christmas!!

Good morning blogland

I'm probably currently buried under a pile of wrapping paper, but I did want to wish everyone in blogland a very Merry Christmas!!! So this is a scheduled post (it's currently Christmas eve and I've been banished to the bedroom while 'im indoors and SWMbO are wrapping pressies for someone - of course, his were wrapped two weeks ago, and he thinks I'm not organised!!!).

Thanks for sticking by me even tho I've been such a bad blogger this year - I'm hoping to be better next year (hmmm do I recall saying something similar last year???).

Anyway, here's a festive picture for you and see in a few days.

Ooh she does like striking a pose does SWMbO!

Hope everyone is having a lovely day - and if anyone is alone this Christmas, I'm sending special wishes your way.

Sarah

Favourite Five Christmas

Hello blogworld,

Just taking 5 here, before the chaos of tomorrow, to have a wee wander around everyone's blogs and stumbled upon Debby doing her 'Favourite Five Christmas creations' this year.

I didn't actually make that many individual Christmas cards this year, I mostly did batch cards - you know 10 of the same design in different colours - but I did make a few that I didn't mind sharing.

So here you go, my favourite five Christmas cards of 2013:

Links to the original post are below each picture

For Dad 

 For a special friend

 Snowman

 A Very Important Card

Very Clean and Simple

Hmmm, there seems to be two popular Christmas digi companies for me this year!

So that's us all set, presents wrapped; stockings filled; food out for Santa; small child and elderly relative in bed. Just waiting now.

See you on the other side,

Sarah

A winters....

birthday!

Good morning blogworld,

Can you believe it's Tuesday already and Christmas Eve!!  That doesn't stop us at Polkadoodles Digi Choosday where it's time for a new challenge.  As always there will be a fab prize for the lucky winner.

This week the theme is 'Christmas Birthdays' and after starting out being unsure what to do with the theme - I luckily remembered this lovely sentiment and then inspiration struck! I think this would make someone a lovely winter themed birthday card - well I hope it would anyway!! And it didn't even take that long to make!

The Front shot:

The Close up: 

I used:

Digi Sentiment:

Christmas Sentiments 1 Download Bundle

Dies:

Nestie

Memory Box - Snowflake and flower

Emobssing Folder:

Cuttlebug folder

Anything else?

Gem, Distress Ink, Stickles glitter glue and ribbon

Looking forward to seeing all the fab entries!

Can't imagine that you're going to hear much from me for the next few days! Tho I might do a Queenie and come on tomorrow and do a Christmas speech!!!

Cheerio for now,

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Crafting from the Heart: Challenge 3 - Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart: Anything Goes

Crafty Calender Challenge: Cold and Frosty

Only snowmen required

Tho I'm hoping that for equality Snowladies are allowed as well!!

Good morning blogworld,

It's Monday and that means it's a new challenge over at The Cutie Pies and as you may have guessed the theme this challenge is Snowmen.  So the cutest snowmen you can find, please!

We are sponsored this challenge by:

with a fabulous prize for the winner!

I have to confess to getting slightly confused with this challenge - I had lots of characters as well snowmen  - so I had to ditch that one and start again!  This is Plan (or card!) B:

The Front shot:

The Arty Farty:

 The Close Up:

I used:

Digi Stamp:

All Dressed Up: It's Snowing

coloured with my ProMarkers

Wot no dies?

Anything else?

Craftwork cards - card blank

Twine, button, 3d gloss, Viva Pearl pen

That's it folks!

See you soon,

Sarah

A challenge or two:

All dressed up: Clean and Simple (2nd entry)

Digi Darla's Challenges: #94 - Anything Goes

Hmmmmmm,

have I done tooo little do you think????

Hello blogworld,

Now then, you all know what a one I am for needing reassurance (just plain needy is what hubby says!!) but this time it is serious.

Have I gone too Clean and Simple with this card?  I'm not sure and it might be the Graph'It pens that are doing it to me!  After initially not being sure and huming and ahing over getting Graph'Its for ages (thanks by the way go here to those who very kindly gave me advice) I took the plunge.

I'm not used to skin tones being peachy - I'm more used to a mid-pink - but they are growing on me and I'm using them a lot.

So, cutting to the chase here!  I started colouring this image, found some left over card from something else I'd cut out and thought - hmmm tall slim, lovely colours, CaS - stop there!!

 But should I have carried on? Let me know!

The front shot:

The Arty Farty:

The close up:

I used:

Digi Stamp:

All Dressed Up - All Dressed up for Christmas

coloured with my Graph'Its

Wot no dies?

Anything else?

Twine, a pearl heart and Stickles glitter glue

And that's it folks - I have sung!

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

All Dressed up Challenge blog: Challenge 6 - Clean and Simple

Papertake Weekly Challenge: Last Christmas.....Card of the year

Sweet Stampin: Last Minute Christmas (feels really funny to be on this side of the fence, ladies!  Also it's been ages - hope everyone is well! And, as you can see, I'm still doing last minute Christmas cards!!!)

Ho Ho Ho

Good morning bloworld,

Told you it would be Christmas for a little while now!  And here is another one!

It's a new challenge over at Digichoosday at Polkadoodles and, as you might have guessed!, the theme this week is 'Ho Ho Ho'.  So I'm still churning out the Christmas cards!

 The image is coloured in with my ProMarkers and I added some brick detail to the chimney pot after I'd coloured him in.

I used:

Digi stamp:

 Emma Canning - Sooty Santa

coloured with ProMarkers

Papers:

Paper Boutique II 

Dies:

Nestie

Anything else?

Craftwork cards - sentiment

Ribbon and embellie from my stuff

Stickles glitter glue

Looking forward to seeing all the Christmas cards - you never know I might 'file' a couple of ideas for next year!!!

Cheerio

Sarah

A second From This to This

Warning - picture heavy post!!

Good evening blogworld

I did say I would pop these pictures up but I've been remiss in doing it.  So before I drag these old bones up to bed I thought I'd pop on and show 'from this to this' or 'before and after' pictures of the new bedroom for the little one.

We started out with a brick wall, which does not make for an interesting picture!

So this is my first picture: the shell is there and knocked through into the old bedroom:

 Then moving on (quite a lot really!) Plastered, painted and waiting:

Now final painting done and floor in, but no furniture:

Now a messy bedroom: (view one)

Messy bedroom (or toy shop!) -view two:

 As you can see you still go through the old bedroom to get to her, but this wall will be coming down and the area will turn into a large hallway.  This will happen next year when we update the bathroom!

More D.I.Y. to come next year!

Hope everyone has had a good weekend,

Sarah

A Very Important Card

for a Very Important Person

Hello blogworld

Well make the most of this - a post nearly everyday - it won't continue next week.  Life is just absolutely hectic right now.  We've been out three nights out of the last five - plus I've been to the school Christingle, ooooh had an Xbox session with the girls - now that was fun.  Next week it's the Christmas play, the Christmas sing-a-long, two Carol services and marathon wrapping sessions!!!

So I thought I'd share our card to SWMbO.  It's a bit more embellished than I've made recently but I know that SHMbO'd loves those heavily embellished cards - so that's what I made her!

I've also gone and brought a few Graph'It pens and this is my first attempt at colouring with them.  Goodness it takes me back to when I first started using ProMarkers - bit of a learning curve! Right mish-mash of pens used altogether with this card!  Can't make my mind up anymore which pens I like best!!

Front Shot:

The Close Up:

I used:

Digi Stamp:

All Dressed Up - Happy Christmas Little Star

coloured with: ProMarkers, Copics and Graph'It pens

and the background was chalked as well

Dies:

Nesties

Memory Box - corner and snowflake

Punch:

Martha Stewart

Papers:

Not sure - had them for years

Anything else?

Brad, ribbon, Stickles glitter glue, 3d gloss

all from my stuff

Right that's it for this week.  Will see you next and then it's almost Christmas!!!  Anyone else not entirely sure if they are looking forward to it or not??

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

All Dressed Up Challenges: Challenge #5 - Christmas

A Creative Romance: Sparkle at Christmas

Digi Haven: Christmas Cards

Graph'It Marker Colouring challenge: Anything Goes (as I don't have the Mix'It fluid)

Totally Papercrafts: Christmas using Non-traditional colours

It's a Winter Wonderland

well no not here it's not, not really - but over at MAWTT it is the theme of our challenge this week.

Hi blogworld,

So we would like to see snowy / icy / wintry scenes please.

Shall I tell you the tale of woe behind these cards, or shall I just pop them up and let you admire them in blissful ignorance?

Hmmmm, well you all know how much I love to share - so I shall tell you the tale of woe.  These were meant to be my batch cards for Christmas.  I made these two and showed them to The Hubby - well he smirked!! He then denied the smirking incident and said they were 'fine' but by that point it 'twas too late and I would rather go buy cards than use them.

I have since created other creations and these are consigned to the 'acquaintances' pile.

Here see what you think:

I used:

Sentiment stamps:

Wild Rose Studio

Various Memory Box Dies

Anything else?

Black card - shiny star - white embossing powder

Did you enjoy my tale of woe?  I do hope so - I do strive so to entertain.

Currently I am at SWMbO's school Christingle service.  I will no doubt be back soon,

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Happy Campers Craft Challenge: Challenge No 25 - Christmas

Paper Crafting Journey: It's Christmas Time

The Crafters Cafe Challenge: Monochromatic

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge: Keep It Clean (And Simple) Challenge

Food, Glorious Food

Good morning blogworld,

You may have realised this is my busy week for DT's.  I think I know what gave it away - was it that I posted more than once this week?

Anyways reason for this post is that it's a new challenge over at Digi Choosday and, as you may have guessed, the theme this challenge is 'Food, Glorious food'.

You have until Thurs 19th Dec to enter and the winner will be announced on Tues 23rd Dec. The winner of this challenge will win a HUGE download bundle and our favourite Top 3 will also win downloads too!

So I decided to go for something other than a card for this challenge.  I'm making fudge as presents this year and thought this would be a cute presentation box.  I used a milk carton template from Paper boutique vol 1 and printed off two sheets of paper from Paper Boutique creative Christmas.

Unfortunately my printer is playing up a bit and printed a line through the paper - but I thought it looked fine so used it anyway!  My image is Emma Canning  - Christmas Pudding and I coloured her with my ProMarkers. I also printed off a Polkadoodles sentiment and highlighted it with chalks and glitter glue - a little bit of ribbon and the box is done!

The only other things I used were a nestie to cut out the sentiment and some chalk and Stickles for highlight.

Would be lovely to see you over at the challenge!  My Teamies have created some wonderful cards and projects for inspiration - do take a wander over and look, you won't be disappointed - I promise!

See you soon,

Sarah

My Craft Spot: Monday Challenge: #121 - Christmas Neighbour Gifts

Dream Valley Challenges: Challenge 71 - Anything but a card

Joanna Sheen Challenge: 'Make it Sparkle' Christmas challenge

Something for that most specialist cutest of friends!

Good morning blogworld,

Well now has that title completely confused you?  I do hope not, but if it has please wait!  Do not run away crying from this poor neglected blog and I will attempt to explain.

It's Monday and being Monday it's Cutie Pie challenge time - aha, things become clearer and if I tell you that the challenge this time is 'For a Special Friend' - a light bulb clicks and all becomes like crystal!

And if it didn't then let me say that over at the Cutie Pies challenge blog this fortnight we'd like to see your cutest cards / projects / creations 'For a Special Friend(s)'.  Simples!

Our challenge is sponsored by the wonderful

 and, as you can see, one lucky winner will win a voucher to spend in their gorgeous online store

This is me wee creation - it is for my daughters' bestest everiest boy-friend (as opposed to her bestest everiest girl-friend!).

The Front Shot:

The Arty Farty:

The Close Up:

I used:

Digi stamp:

Was a freebie from Pollycraft (sadly no longer operating. Boohoo)

coloured with my ProMarkers

chalked background

Papers:

BoBunny - Blitzen collection

Wot no dies?

Anything else?

Sentiment created by moi

Reindeer - no idea!

Chipboard frame - ages old stash

Fiskars punch

3d gloss on nose

I showed this one to She Who Must be Obeyed (SWMbO) for approval, since it's going to her friend, the response?  It's OK, but print off another one, colour in the skin for me and I'll colour it again!!!!

Ah well, it's only about what 18 years till I can expect her to be married and off my hands?

See you tomorrow

Sarah

(and it's Christmas all the way now!)

A challenge, or two:

I love Promarkers: Challenge #197 - For a child

Little Miss Muffet challenges: Challenge #75 - You've been framed

Here Come The Boys: Challenge #66 - Anything Goes for the Boys

Divas by Design: Feeling Festive

Graph'It Marker Colouring challenge: Wk 24 - Colour Mixing / Anything Goes.  Well unfortunately I don't have a Mix'It palettte, so if it's alright with you I'll go for the 'Anything Goes'!  Looking forward to my new skin tones and Pink Greys arriving though!

Christmas Cheer

Hello blogworld

My isn't this year just rushing past now!  Can hardly believe that we are at Tuesday again and it's time for another challenge over at Polkadoodles Digi Choosday.

This week the theme is 'Christmas Cheer' and I thought I'd try White on White, for a change.  I used a lovely image and thought it didn't really need any papers distracting from it!

I used:

Digi Image:

 Angelberry Hugs

coloured with my ProMarkers

Dies:

Nestie

Memory Box

Embossing Folder:

Cuttlebug - Snowflakes

Anything else?

Craftwork Cards - sentiment

ribbon from stash.

Stickles for the glittery wings

Looking forward to seeing everyone's Christmas cards - inspiration needed!!!

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Creative Craft Challenge: Challenge 24 - Non traditional Christmas colours

Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes

Created with Love Challenge: CWLC - 69 Christmas

Hello Christmas

Good morning blogworld

So, here we are then 1st December - let the manic Christmas card making start!

But just before we do - it's time for a new challenge over at the Flat Friends Challenge - and remember that you don't need to use an Emma Canning image anymore.  Although if you do you there is an extra prize on offer!

So what's the challenge this time - it's a colour challenge and a great colour choice at that!

And here's my card - as I said above even though it's Christmas card making time, I deviated and made this instead.  Although I used a Christmas image from Emma and it could be for a Christmas birthday?

Here's the card:

Front shot:

Her close up:

 The arty farty shot:

I used:

Digi Stamp:

Flat Friends - Christmas Shopping

coloured with my ProMarkers

Dies:

Nestie

Memory Box

Papers:

Winter Wonderland (had them for ages and I'm almost out!!)

Anything else?

Sentiment

chalking for the background

You know that green isn't looking too green at the moment - it's looking more blue, I can assure you though it is green.  Maybe though a mint green rather than a green green and the picture isn't picking it up so well.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend - I'm off now to put up the Christmas tree and associated decorations!!

Cheerio

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Papertake Weekly: Sketch Time (I used sketch #85)

Aud Sentiments Challenge: Challenge 94 - Any Sentiment