My 5 favourite cards of 2011

Inspired by my lovely friend Cathy I've chosen cards - not sure if they're really my top 5 but I don't seem to be able to find some photos... never mind. Next year I'll be a bit better organised on the cards/photo front (maybe, I'll probably last until this time tomorrow). This is a card I made for the SU retirement event I helped Jen at in September. It was made using the now retired Plane and Simple set from SU. It's a great set and I've teamed it with the Newsprint paper and some of the neutrals cardstock.

I bought this stamp last Hogmanay from Ladybug Crafts. It was bought with this specific birthday in mind - it was for my friend's wee girl whose birthday is in August.... not like me to be organised eh?

Love this stamp - City Girl from Funky Kits. And I've used my favourite (retired) SU paper Elegant Soiree. I can hear Cathy falling off her chair (because I cut it) as I type this. It's her favourite too!

Another favourite Funky Kits stamp - Luv a Latte. And I do ;)

And this is a new favourite Funky Kits stamp - Strike A Pose. Teamed with a stamp I got cheap when Craft at Home closed their bricks and mortar shop earlier in the year.

I enjoyed looking having a trawl through my cards trying to find some favourites. I hope you enjoyed it too.

Here's wishing you all the best for 2012. Whatever you're doing this evening, have a safe and happy time. Hugs.Susan xxx

Ha ha

This is the face of the happy boy who has now worked out how to get into my laptop by himself!

Only one more to go after this...

and I will have run out of Christmas cards to show you, I may need to get crafting again ;) This is a card I created a couple of years ago but there were a few left so they were used this year. I can't remember the name of the stamp I used though!! Hugs. Susan xxx

What a horrible day

The wind and rain have returned. It is hideous outside.

Andy is at work today and as there are no trains has taken the car. I was full of plans to do something with the boys but I am not going anywhere in that.

So, housework or staying in pjs then?

A simple card

Now if only I had started making these earlier I could have made about 20839283498234 of them! A lesson for next year. Simple cards are the way to go! Image - Sentiment from Contempo Christmas, Stampin Up Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Stampin Up Ink - Early Espresso, Stampin Up Embellishments - Glamour Dust Tools - Star Nestie, D'Vine Swirls Embossing Folder, Big Shot Just catching up with Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and laughing a lot! Andy is back at work tomorrow. What will I do to entertain the children..... answers on a postcard please!! Hugs.Susan xxx

Happy boys (eventually)

Well we tried to go to Braehead but the traffic queue even just to get onto the road was massive so we decided against a trip there. That decision however made a couple of boys very unhappy so we ended up getting underground into Glasgow instead.

Scott got the 3ds game he was after and I found some Pokemon cards in Waterstones so we have 2 happy boys again. Luckily there were 2 packs of cards in the reduced box so peace has been restored.

Monkey Boys

Look what I found on the sofa when I got up this morning!

Scott wants to go shopping to spend some Christmas money. I have to say I'm not keen although I do wonder if the craft shop is open ;-)

Testing

Just trying to blog from my phone. Downloaded an app earlier so just trying to see if it works!

Happy Boxing Day

Poor old Boxing Day, it's a bit of a comedown from the excitement of Christmas... it's just full of leftovers! Might go and look for some leftover chocolate now. Just realised that it would have been more appropriate to post this card on Christmas Eve, when it was the night before Christmas.... ah well, never mind. Came up with the protoype for this card a few weeks ago at Lorraine's house but she has the inkylicious ink dusters which proved far easier to create the effect with than the cut and dry foam I have in the house. In fact I have the link open for them as I type.... just hovering over the buy button now ;) You will notice that there is some of my very favourite colour in this card. You have no idea how hard it was to do. I *even* had to go to Craft World to buy a Spun Sugar DI pad. Wonder if it will ever see the light of day again.

Image - Inkylicious Stamps Cardstock - Night of Navy, Pink (can't remember which one), Whisper White, Stampin Up Ink - Stormy Sky, Spun Sugar, Tim Holtz DI pads, Night of Navy, Stampin Up Embellishments - Glamour Dust I was going to post another Christmas card or two but decided that will at least give me more blog post material until I get crafty again. Hugs.Susan xxx

Merry Christmas

everyone! Coming to you from Craig's new netbook! Think I'm having more fun than he is. Kids have been spoiled rotten and am now just about to settle down to my lunch, a cuppa and the Broons annual.... See you tomorrow - will be back on my own laptop with some Christmas cards to share with you. Have a wonderful day. Hugs.Susan xxx

It's almost time

The to do list is shrinking... very very slowly. Although there are just some things that are not going to get done! The kids are excited and tracking Santa's progress through the world. We've got the Christmas family service at 7pm and I've get to decide whether to go to the Watchnight service later - depends how the list is..... As promised here, is the Christmas card I received from Lis. Isn't it gorgeous?! I wish my colouring was as good as hers. Wishing you and your families a very Happy and Blessed Christmas. Much love. Susan xxx

2 more sleeps

and still so much to do! I have even taken to not putting the laptop on of an evening so I don't fritter the entire night away on Facebook and Twitter. Hopefully I shall get some stuff done tomorrow - if I manage to get up early. Couple of things to share today - couple of gift bags I made for our Secret Santa recipients at work, I was really pleased with them. Think they were more exciting than the gifts to be honest ;)

Image - Miss Claus, Funky Kits Cardstock - Old Olive, Stampin Up, other card and paper from stash Embellishments - Craftwork Cards Tools - Big Shot, Lacy Oval Nesties

This card is one that I made for my lovely friend Cathy. Over on the SN Facebook group we had a feel good Christmas card swap. I received a gorgeous card from the lovely Lis (which I shall share tomorrow) and I was due to send one to Cathy. Unfortunately I was a bit behind so it only got posted the other day. Hopefully she's received it by now......

Image - Funky Kits Cardstock - from stash Paper - Bo Bunny Embellishments - Sentiment brad, flowers and leaves from stash Tools - Cropadile Image - Miss Claus, Funky Kits Cardstock - Old Olive, Stampin Up, other card and paper from stash Embellishments - Craftwork Cards, Flowers from stash Tools - Big Shot, Nesties, D'vine Swirls Embossing Folder

Hugs.Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin Challenge

Over at Sweet Stampin this week the challenge is "Things With Wings"... and this week we're sponsored by Bugaboo I've used Winter Birds - Snowman. I bet you all thought I'd make a pink, fluffy, glittery fairy type card didn't you..... Aren't they fab? Just love this wee snowman and his Robin friend.

Go on over to the blog to check out the Winged inspiration that the DT has left for you and then go and leave my fellow sweeties some bloggy love. I'd like to enter the card in the following challenges Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes Crafty Catz - Anything Goes Creative Inspirations - Snow Much Fun Paperplay - Snowmen Totally Gorjuss - Let it Snow CYDA - Snowmen Make it Monday - Anything Goes Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes Image - Winter Birds - Snowman, Bugaboo coloured with Promarkers, sentiment stamp, Paula Pascual Card - Old Olive, Stampin Up Paper from stash Tools - Oval punch, Stampin Up Have a happy Saturday whatever you're doing. Hugs.Susan xxx

Sugar Nellie Christmas Candy

Oooh lookie here, Sugar Nellie are having some Christmas Candy - you have less than 24 hours so go now, run like the wind over to their blog and enter!! Hugs.Susan xxx

Cathy's Christmas Candy

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My lovely friend Cathy has some very sweet Christmas candy on offer on her blog! Pop over and take a look, you won't regret having a look at her blog! Candy closes on 8th December. Hugs.Susan xxx

Debbi's Sassy Candy

Another bloggy friend Debbi is giving away some candy on her blog too. This is for Cinders from the last ever Simply Sassy release from Sugar Nellie. Candy closes at noon on 2nd December. Hugs.Susan xxx

Wooohoooo it's December

It's nearly Christmas. And no. I haven't made any Christmas cards yet. Should really get a move on shouldn't I?! And so tonight my friend Cathy and I were going to have a cyber crafting evening. We got all set but then one of Cathy's girls was sick everywhere so I think I probably got the better deal... Cathy got to clean up sick and I actually did some crafting for a change. Ellie, if you're reading this, I hope you feel better soon sweetie. Tim Holtz has started his 12 tags of Christmas season. Now mine looks nothing like Tim's but hey, it's a tag and I'm quite pleased with it. Image - Dasher, Stampin Up, Ticket, Tim Holtz Cardstock - Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Stampin Up Embellishments -Sizzix Swirly, Pearls, Stampin Up, ribbon from stash Tools - Big Shot Hugs.Susan xxx

Mina's candy

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Mina has some lovely candy on offer. Hope on over to her blog to see it! You have until 26th November to enter. Hugs.Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin' Challenge

Sorry for being a bad blogger this week. If it's any consolation, I've also been a bad crafter and haven't really done that much. Over at Sweet Stampin this week the challenge is to use punches/dies! We're sponsored by Pollycraft and I've used one of their images for my card this week. I've used a circle punch embossed with swiss dots and then turned over for his golf ball. I'm stupidly pleased with this bit of the card!! I had an idea to use the Sizzix golf club die but I only remembered once I'd put the card together... never mind. Another time maybe. Hop on over to Sweet Stampin and check out the inspiration my fellow Sweeties have left for you. Hugs.Susan xxx

Happy birthday to you....

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday Sweet Stampin', Happy birthday to you. Yes, over at Sweet Stampin, it's our birthday today and we are a big 2 years old!! To celebrate we're having a birthday theme so get those birthday entries in. And if all the prizes below weren't enough we will be pick a few random winners from the comments left on the own blogs of all the DT! So remember to head over to the blog to check out the fabby work the DT has done to celebrate this big event and then go to their blogs to leave them some bloggy love! Crafty Sentiments -

one lucky winner will receive a £10 voucher to spend in their store. My Creative Classroom - One lucky winner will receive a free seat to a class of their choice. Prairie Fairy one lucky winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to spend in their store Saturated Canary - one lucky winner will receive 2 digis from their store. The Craft Room - one lucky winner will receive a £10 gift voucher to spend in their store. Tiddly Inks - one lucky winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to spend in their store. This is my card using "Whatcha Doin" from Tiddly Inks - I've cut the Whatcha Doin' part out so I could have her looking over the happy birthday. Clever eh?

Image - Tiddly Inks coloured with Promarkers Cardstock - from stash Paper - My Minds Eye Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork Cards Tools - Martha Stewart Birthday punch Hugs.Susan xxx

Something different

In honour of a few of my Stampin Up buddies going to the convention in Disneyland Paris here are a couple of scrapbook pages that I did from when we had a holiday there for my 29th (ahem) birthday there 5 years ago. I am, in fact, still 29 so I must have gone wrong somewhere in my calculations. Hugs.Susan xxx

Today

Would have been my Father in Law's birthday. I told Andy last night that I planned to put this song on Facebook but then was busy today that it slipped my mind so I thought I'd rectify this by posting it on my blog as well. This was the song that Andy Snr used to sing at family parties. And I really hope he's singing it today :) I'd like to share it on Marcea's Music Saves My Soul too :) Susan xx

Sweet Stampin' Challenge

Over at Sweet Stampin this week the theme is "Gingham" and we're sponsored by Fairy Dust Crafts. Hop on over to Sweet Stampin and see what the rest of the sweeties have come up with - I know you're going to love them. Now this was originally my DT card for this week but then Abi challenged me to make a little girl one too so there's a BOGOF this week on my DT cards ;) I love this wee cutie. It's from a set called Baby Baby which is by Ladybug Crafts, all the stamps are fab but this wee one is my fave.

Image - Baby Baby Set, Ladybug Crafts Ink Cardstock - from stash Tools - Oval Punch, Stampin' Up Right, that's enough of that horrid **** colour. Normal service has been resumed!! Hugs.Susan xxx

Elaine's candy

Elaine has some candy on offer, and there is a story behind it. Check it out by clicking on her name. Hugs. Susan xxx

For The Fallen

For The Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres, There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted; They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England's foam. But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the Night; As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain; As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.

Laurence Binyon

How can it be nearly 10pm already?

I feel like I've achieved nothing today and it's almost bedtime. Well, ish. Look what I found! Made this at the Tartan Stampers Mini Convention at the end of September. Well I don't think I actually did it at the time but finished it at home later. So, it turns out I've made more Christmas cards than I thought..... Mabye I can sit back and relax now?!

All products Stampin Up unless otherwise stated Image -Dasher Cardstock - Real Red, Old Olive Ink - Versmark/silver embossing powder Embellishments - Real red ribbon, rhinestones Tools - Big Shot, Embossing Folder Oh, and the meeting was fine last night! Hugs.Susan xxx

Happy Monday

and doesn't this little lady look like she's having a happy Monday. She's clearly been made to wear pink and doesn't like it one little bit! Made this card for the SN Facebook challenge this week and the photo inspiration was of a cake which contained pink layers. Pink? I ask you. Anyway, I had a lightbulb moment of inspiration yesterday and had a wee chuckle to myself and this is what I came up with!!

The Sugar Bowl - sketch Crafty Catz - Anything Goes Dream Valley - Anything Goes Stampavie - Anything Goes Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes Charisma Cardz - Cutesy (not sure she'd be entirely happy being described as cute.... Image - Little Miss Attitude, Funky Kits coloured with Promarkers, No idea where alphabet set is from! Cardstock and paper - from stash Embellishments - Flowers and brads from stash I'm off tonight to my first parent council meeting where I am in charge. Bit nervous. Hope it all goes ok and it doesn't become a free for all!!

Hugs.Susan xxx

Photo Inspiration challenge at Sweet Stampin

Over at Sweet Stampin this week the challenge is to use the photo below as inspiration. Aren't the colours lovely (mainly because there is no pink....) Go over to the blog and check out what my fellow sweeties have created - they are all fabby :) I'm thinking of having a wee crafting night tonight so I might just use these colours for inspiration. Either that or I will break out into a cold sweat trying to enter this week's S N Facebook challenge. Oh yes. It's ****..... Or I will make a start on those Christmas cards, otherwise Abi will nag me ;)

Fi is offering 2 Sugar Nellie stamps as the prize for the winner of this week's challenge.

You have to be in it to win it ;)

I will be off later with the boys to watch the Christmas lights switch on and fireworks in Paisley. Have fun and stay safe.

Hugs.Susan xxx

How can it be November?

Already? Really?! It will be Christmas before we know it ;) Nothing new to share today I'm afraid. Did some crafting the other night at Lorraine's. May even have a prototype Christmas card. Now I just really need to get the finger out and do something. Nagging will be accepted. Hugs.Susan xxx

And by the skin of my teeth

I have made it in to Tuesday! Didn't mean to be posting so late but the laptop and the internet weren't behaving before I went out this evening. Been a busy couple of days what with one thing and another - think I'll be going back to work for a rest lol. This is a card I was commissioned to do for a wee girl in Craig's class. Hope she likes it! I love Lost in Music. I think I might make some more with her soon.

Image - Lost in Music, Funky Kits, Sentiment from Party this Way, Stampin Up Cardstock and paper from stash Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork cards Tools - Big Shot, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Sorry for the short post but the internet connection never lasts for long on the laptop so I don't want to push my luck ;) Hugs.Susan xxx

So much for that extra hour

I was awoken early this morning by a poorly sick Scott :( And then Craig got up at 6.15am thinking it was 7.15am. He was despatched back to bed! Scott has spent the rest of the day on the sofa, no Sunday School, no rubgy :( He's perked up though and seemed to be ok when he went to bed, although he has just been up again asking for water and was a bit upset. Fingers crossed he's ok. Couple of cards (although I have to admit not very exciting ones) to share today. They were for a couple of folk at work and I've used a couple of LotV die cut squares. Somehow it felt like cheating!

Hugs.Susan xxx

Seconds out, round 2

Another day, another trip to the SECC... I went today cos I wanted to meet up with Debbi, Queen of the Promarkers! She was demonstrating at a couple of stands today so I took the opportunity of going to see her. Took Craig along too as he's been doing a school project on Scotland and was given Aberdeen to do some research into and Debbi very kindly gave him some info on Aberdeen, so he wanted to say thanks. Sandra also came along with her daughter Emma as she'd been ill on Thursday on the original trip. The kids behaved very well and were given some freebies by the lovely Mark at the Lili of the Valley stand. We also bought them some Jumping Clay and a sticker kit. So here's a photo of all of the things I bought over the last couple of days. With that **** promarker at the front.....

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday - remember to put those clocks back tonight ;)

Hugs.Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin' Challenge

Over at Sweet Stampin' this week, it's Anything Goes week! Now, I was* going to do pink and girly but ended up using this little sweetie instead. It's Pip from Funky Kits. I've had him for a number of years and I just love him, he's so cute. * I wasn't really, I'm just joking I've teamed him with a Whimsy Stamp that I won in Elaine's blog candy some time back. We're sponsored this week by Stamping Boutique.

I'd like to enter the card in the following challenges: Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes Scrapbook Sisters - Anything Goes Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes Paper Shelter Anything Goes Moving Along With The Times - No Girls Allowed Party Time Tuesday - Anything Goes The Poodles Parlour - Let's Hear it for the Boys Passion for Promarkers - For A Child Image - Pip, Funky Kits coloured with promarkers, sentiment, Whimsy stamps Cardstock - Old Olive, SU and other from stash Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork Cards, Fluffy Stuff, Woodware Tools - Big Shot, Whimsy Stamps Ticket die Hugs.Susan xxx

Look what I bought....

Yesterday at the SECC was fab. Got there early, ran into (almost literally) Ali and her hubby Andy and the lovely Cathy was with them. Was soooo excited to meet Cathy at last. Then at High Noon the Sugar Nellie Massive met outside RS McColl's and then took over a large table in the hall for lunch. What a great time - I could have stayed chatting all day. Met lots of lovely friends who I have chatted to online for ages - Lorraine, Gayle and Fiona and it was fabby to put faces to names. I hope it won't be too long before we can all get together again. However, before we met for lunch Cathy DARED me to buy something pink!! (so I double dared her). Now I *was* going to buy a pink TH DI pad but this pink (Cerise) promarker was cheaper so I went for that instead. I have been informed however that was the wrong pink to buy. But you know me, all pinks look the same ;) Going back again for a wee while tomorrow to meet Debbi Glennie and to see her demo promarkers or flexmarkers - maybe she'll point me in the direction of a nice pink eh?! Hugs.Susan xxx

One more sleep!

Till the SECC!! I can hardly contain my excitement and to quote a dear friend *squeal* If you're around the SECC tomorrow at 12, I'd avoid the RS McColls. There will be a whole bunch of Sugar Addicts meeting there. And tomorrow I get to meet Cathy, Kath and Fiona for the first time :) AND I'm going to make a return visit on the Saturday just to meet Debbi :) All of this is going to make a lovely end to a crappy week! I thought I was going to share something else with you today but it will have to wait till Monday (as it's a birthday card for someone who might see it!!) Found this half made card when I was tidying up. It's from the mini convention weekend and it's Maggie Murray's card (although yet again it bears little resemblance to the original as I lost the flowers I had stamped that were to go on it!!) Image -Greenhouse Garden, Oval All, Four Frames, SU Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, SU Ink -Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, SU Embellishments -Pearls, Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon, SU Tools - Big Shot and Square Lattice embossing folder, Oval punch, decorative label punch, SU Hugs.Susan xxx

Tank trapping (again)

Still haven't managed any crafting. Got so much to do, and not the inclination to do it!! Tomorrow is another day though. So I am going to try really really really hard to have something new to show tomorrow. In the meantime, here is something I made a couple of weeks ago at Lorraine's. Isn't it fab! If only I could remember how to do it I would make another. Outside Outside but open slightly Inside.. Image - Just Believe, Curly Cute, Stampin Up Paper -Concord Crush DSP, Stampin Up Ink - Purple DI Embellishments -Whisper White ribbon, Stampin Up Hugs.Susan xxx

9 weeks....

and it will be Boxing Day!!! Better get a shifty on on the Christmas cards. At least I'm thinking about them in October last year, I thought about them on 17th December last year. Not sure anyone got one last year... Maybe I'll start tomorrow. Kids still off, or maybe I should do something with them tomorrow. Don't you just love procrastinating... In the meantime - here's a wee calendar I made a couple of weeks ago for a crafting session at Lorraine's!

Image - Just Believe, Stampin Up Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Whisper White, Stampin Up Ink - Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky, Broken China (all Tim Holtz DI's) Basic Black, Stampin Up Embellishments - Marina Mist ribbon, Stampin Up, eyelets, calendar tab. Tools - Cropadile Hugs.Susan xxx

Playing Catch Up!

You can tell we're back from holiday - the washing machine has been going non stop all day. Unfortunately the house now resembles a Chinese Laundry. When I was at the Erasure concert a couple of weeks ago, my friend asked me if I could do a birthday card for one of her Facebook friends. I said yes, then realised that I'd have to do it before we went to Blackpool. Well, I always, well, only ever, work better under pressure. Asked for the card on Thursday night, made and delivered by the Saturday.... I've used the Mo Manning image "Checking Facebook".... thought it was appropriate. And then I found this dp in my stash with the little bird and I thought of Twitter... Hoping the recipient likes it!! Challenges: Crafty Catz - birthday Totally Papercrafts - layer upon layer >Image - Mo Manning, Checking Facebook (coloured with Promarkers) Sentiment, Stampin Up (from a retired set) Cardstock - Night of Navy, Marina Mist and More Mustard, Stampin Up Embellishments -Marina Mist ribbon, SU Hugs.Susan xxx