New designer finds!

So I was introduced to two awesome designers today :

 They both are awesome I found some fantastic bags which Amy has designed on her website and she has some brill free download templates for fabric and paper craft!!

I mean how cute is this bag please?? I love the fabric and design but it would also be cute in Cath Kidston's rose fabric!!

I so want to try and make this!!

Anyone else think these are fabulous!! Sorry ill shut up now.

Take Care

Sam x

8x8 Layouts

I have made a few more pages for Lindon's scrapbook tonight.

I have 3 more pages then I should be able to hand it over to his gran in January when he goes.

I used paper from DCWV - Linen Closet, Kraft, White and Blue Card stock.

I typed my journalling up on the computer and printed it out and cut the papers the same size.

The house images are from Pink Petticoat 'HOME SWEET HOME' IMAGE STAMPS'

I edited these in paint and put them in a row as Lindon went to stay at another foster carers house while we were on holiday. I printed these twice and lifted some of the houses, trees and clouds up on 3D foam.

The second page is of Lindon in his Christmas Pudding baby onesie opening his presents and in front of Christmas Tree.  Haha dad was trying to stay out of the pictures so he just held him out in front of the tree and Lindon was giggling and screaming while my mam was trying to take the pictures. He is a right little character we love him to bits! Will be sad in January at least he will be happy and be with biological family members.

Papers used are no name red card stock, and 2 strips of paper from DCWV Christmas Stack.

I paper pieced the Christmas Pudding which is found on the lovely Valita's Designs & Fresh Folds website Check out her site she has some awesome ideas and templates!!

I altered the template slightly for my use I used my hole punch to do smaller berries and also add the raisens to the acual pudding. I tried to write pudding in my white gel pen but it never wirtes as smooth as Kristina Werners does in her videos :-(

Thanks for stopping by

Sam x

8x8 Pirate Scrapbook Page

My mam and dad have a new addition to the house - little Lindon he is only 7months adorable.

He will shortly be going to live with his gran so I am have a few pages to finish before he goes in January.

Paper used is from the DCWV - All about Boys Stack and a strip of black paper.

I used a digital frame from the Berry Days Free Kit from Two Peas in a Bucket.

I used two stamps from K&Co Marcella Occasions Clear Stamps - I was going to write little Treasure in chipboard to go with the pirate theme but it looked too crowded on the page then I found this stamp in my collection and it was perfect!

Thanks for stopping by.

Sam x

Dome Shaker Christmas Card

Its Christmas Eve and I was bored waiting for Santa :-) so I decided to make a card.

I got a Christmas mug/sweet set from a friend at work and it had a circle dome in the top to sit the bag of sweets on and as soon as I saw it dome shaker cards sprang to mind.

I recycled an image from an old Christmas card and a bow which was on a tag. So the only new things used is the cream and red card stock and the patterned holly paper which was in my scraps.

I had a bit of trouble getting the bow to stick had to hold it in place for a good 5mins for the glue to set - should of really got the hot glue out but I couldnt be bothered.

For the shakers inside I used fine glittered embossing powder, light silver glitter and chunky clear embossing crystals. The dome is rather 3D as you can see from the side picture above and this is never going to fit into an envelope and I even tried some card boxes I bought for decoupaged card and it still too big for that - ths would have to be a hand delivered card!!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Christmas everyone!!!

More Christmas Cooking

Another batch of Christmas cooking as I was feeling under the weather today and didn't feel creative enough to make any cards.

I made using a Betty Crocker Strawberry Supreme cake mix some mini and standard cupcakes and what was left over I made an 8" cake but once I had finished decorating the cupcakes I didn't have much icing left!!

The mini cupcake cases have gingerbread men printed all over them and I bought the mini gingerbread men sugar toppers in America. I also had a few plastic holly toppers from a bought Christmas Chocolate log we bought the other day.

The 8" looks a little sad with little icing but I put butter cream and strawberry jam inside and used the rest of the gingerbread men to finish the top off. 

The cake mix went a long way I was very surprised how much it actually made out of one box!!

It made an 8" cake, 6 standard cupcakes and 10 mini (2 of the minis had to be eaten while they were warm LOL!)

They are delicious I wanted to make a big one with cream and fresh strawberries but I couldn't wait to buy the cream and strawberries. I also have a Lemon cake box and a Betty Crocker cookie mix there so I will be making more soon.

Take Care All

xx

Christmas Cooking

This is what I have been up to tonight!!

I decided to make some cookies for my team at work as a little thank you for all the hard work they have been doing.

These are Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
3 cups (390 grams) all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 to 4 minutes). Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until you have a smooth dough.

Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about one hour or until firm enough to roll.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 

Remove one half of the chilled dough from the refrigerator and, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch (1 cm). (Keep turning the dough as you roll, making sure the dough does not stick to the counter.)  Cut out desired shapes using a lightly floured cookie cutter and transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheet. Place the baking sheets with the unbaked cookies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to chill the dough which prevents the cookies from spreading and losing their shape while baking.

Note: If you are not going to frost the baked cookies, you may want to sprinkle the unbaked cookies with crystal or sparkling sugar. 

Bake cookies for about 8-10 minutes (depending on size) or until the edges are just starting to brown. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Frost with royal icing, if desired. Be sure to let the royal icing dry completely before storing. (This may take several hours.)

Frosted cookies will keep several days in an airtight container. Store between layers of parchment paper or wax paper.

Makes about 36 - 4 inch (10 cm) cookies.

You can cover with Royal Icing sugar but I don't like Icing on cookies so I melted some white chocolate and added green food gel and using a piping bag and small nozzle tip piped a border around then filled in.

This is the first time I have made cookies and big Adam has ate 4 before I decorated as he's not a fan of white chocolate. He likes them and he is still alive!!

I had a bit of an incident when I was making them I slipped on some flour on the floor and pulled the bottom cupboard door off and hurt my hand. Adams response - "you've broke the door!!" not are you ok!!! Typical bloke.

Guess what? I still haven't finished my Christmas cards!! I was going to do them tomorrow night after work but I am going to see a psychic with my mam and nan so that should be interesting!

Take Care All

Sam x

More Christmas Cards

I still have loads more to make and post out so much for one of my new years resolutions I made for this year I am so not organised!!! Argh!!!

Quick few shots of 2 Christmas Cards I made last night.

First is another circle card using my Martha Stewart punch. These papers were printed Papercraft Inspirations Magazine website goo check them out there is lots of free papers and templates and plenty of inspiration.

I used my snowman stamp again from my mini Studio G clear stamps and coloured with fluid chalk inks. The snowman looks grey more than blue :-(

Seond card I used Kraft Card stock, Gold Holy Embossed card, Brown and Amber Card Stock.

I also had some velem which has gold Christmas writing all over. A mini floural pick from my local craft shop and two tags from K&Co.

I inked ad crumplted the tags for a bit added interest and I thought they needed a bit more of a vintage look.

Hope you link them.

Thanks Sam x

Rak and Card

Hey all the lovely Sarah from Woo's Crafting Corner sent me an awesome Christmas RAK bless her she is lovely. I would of made a video but my vid camera is acting up so havent been able to make a video in a few days.

She sent me some great stuff and a lovely mini and a beautiful Christmas cards - eek I have checked with Royal Mail and I have missed the deadline to post to my family in Canada and US - Ill have to begrudginly send them an E-Card. Boo hoo!

I used the Dovecraft mini doors to create a Christmas door but it didnt work out as good as I hoped as I didnt have the right colour card stock.

I think it looks a little too dark what do you think?

Opps just noticed the Holy hand punch Sarah sent isnt in the picture it must be in bottom of envelope.

Thanks again Sarah your far too kind!! Guys hed over and check out her blog! Woo's Crafting Corner.

Sam x

Mini Haul

Quick post with pick of a mini haul

I got from Thats Crafty!

4x4 Chipboard Covers
4x4 Zutter papers
Chipboard Tag album
Some metal rings in differnt sizes
Chestnut Roan and Dark Brown Colorbox Chalk Cats Eye Ink
Maya Road White Rubons
Basic Grey Alpha Chipboard letters
Imaginese Pumpkin Stamp
Prima Lace board stamps

Sam x

Christmas Cards

I have been mega busy today as I need to get these Christmas cards finished and posted out.

This card was inspired by Kristina Werner's Holiday Card Series 2010 - Day 18 with the stacked presents with the little bird on top.

I used papers from DCWV Christmas Stack

This card I used my Martha Stewart circle cutter to make a circle card.

Papers also from DCWV Christmas Stack

I used a Penny Black stamp and coloured with my water colour markers.

Red organser ribbon and Red metallic alpha stickers from Target.

This card is a special one for Amelia with the word Niece on the front - I got a card a few year ago from my aunt and it was so pretty I kept it but I thought Id recycle it and take the topper off for this card.

Papers are from K&Co not sure of name of collection as it was a single sheet I bought from my craft store.

I have also made a few Easel cards
Papers also from DCWV Christmas Stack
Toppers are the Christmas Stocking badges I got from Wallmart when I was in Florida

These last 3 mini 4x4 cards are for my neighbours so I made them similar the theme is from our house to yours but I didnt have a stamp which said that so it just says "Wishing you a merry Christmas"

Papers also from DCWV Christmas Stack I sat and cut the little houses,trees, cars and roads out of the 12x12 paper and glued them to this card I used the blue paper to make little hills.



Happy Holidays everyone dont spend too much on the Christmas shopping - Its the thought which counts!

Sam xx

Forever Friends Birthday Card

It is my soon to be mother-in-laws Birthday on Thursday and I have to get the card posted to her tomorrow so had to knock up a quick card as to be honest I totally forgot!!

Papers used are Nanna Nursery - Baby Girl
I used Kraft Card stock and a stamped image from the Forever Friends collection which I coloured with my water colour markers.

I used my Fiskars Tredding water punch for the sentiment.

Just a quick and simple card.

Take Care all x

Almost Christmas Time

19 Days and counting....

I normally put my tree and decorations up on the first as per family tradition but I have been so busy!!

So today I decided I should hurry up or I would be putting the tree up on Christmas Eve the way I was going.

My little brother fighting the boxes out of the loft - bless him!!

Here's my little tree I like to keep it simple, only 2 sets of yellow lights and lots of ornaments.

I'm not a fan of tinsel or beads - probably cos I could never get them to hang right on the tree!

I have my tree up, simple garland on fireplace and wreath on door - if Adam had got his way there would be no decorations up at all - Bar humbug he is lol!

I just need to get a set of lights and 2 huge red candles for the fireplace and some candy canes for the tree and that's me done.

I just hope its still standing in the morning as the cats have been eye balling it for a climbing frame!!

Still no where near finishing my cards which I will have to hurry as I have to post a few to family in Canada and the States.

I will also be making cookies for work colleagues for the week leading up to Christmas and my friend across the road, and my dad wants a Cherry and Almond cake making!! I am also planning a December daily which is mostly going to be December traditions which we do instead of each day of December this year as I seem to be doing everything backwards this year :-(

Hope everyone is more organised than I am xx

Hello Baby Card

A colleague at work his wife just had a baby boy so I thought I'd make them a little card.

I used:
White Card stock
DCWV - Nanna's Nursery Baby Boy stack
White Maya Road rub-ons
Little Felt embelishment

Thanks for stopping by
Hope all in UK are keeping warm in this horrible weather!

Sam x

Office Pressies

So I work for HP and there is only me and a few other girls in the office so I thought i would make Calendar/Post-it Note Stands for Andrea, Elizabeth and Tracey.

I saw this idea on YouTube on Chic 'n Scratch's channel today.

So one side has the 2011 Calendar on and the other has post-it notes as we always need them at work for taking down case refs or phone numbers :-)

As you can see from the above pic I got a little ink on the calendar so I will have to put a new one on there when I get more - my little brother is going to venture to town tomorrow in the horrible snow for me to get some and more post-it notes.

As per the above picture each one will have the persons inital charm hanging from the ribbon and I will add the calendars and post-it notes tomorrow.

I think they turned out good.

Papers used:

DCWV - Nanna's Nursery - Baby Girl

DCWV - Whimsey Stack

Thanks Sam x

Vintage Christmas Card

I sat and wrote a list of all the cards I have to make for Christmas and I have to make 30!! OMG!!

I only have 9 made so far.

So I made another one today but this was inbetween making the dinner too so didnt have time to video this one so this is just a short post.

I used:

DCWV Christmas Stack

Kraft Card Stock

Red and Green Card Stock

Joy to the world sticker

Tim Holtz Old paper ink

Red, Green, Brown, & Skin Tone markers which I used as water colours

Pearl stickles by Tim Holtz

Free image from Digital Doodling

I think it turned out pretty cute.

Sam x