Marianne's Mega Candy....

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Bloggy buddy and fellow Sugar Addict Marianne has some mega candy on offer for reaching over 1000 followers! Check out her blog by clicking on her name. Susan xxx

Still not finished!

Here are some more from the weekend. I promise that they are all nearly finished! Honest. I still have to finish a couple of them - Andy is out tomorrow night so I'm hoping for a bit of peace to be creative ;) This one was by Jayne Steadman but I'm not sure my version resembles the original as I didn't finish it on the Saturday and kind of did it from memory (although there was also a bit of ribbon in the bag but wasn't sure where to put it!!) Love this wee monkey card. Reminds me of some small boys I know ;) And this, is mine! What a surprise eh? A man's card. Hugs.Susan xxx

Some news

I have been bursting to tell you this for days! I have been asked to join the DT at Sweet Stampin' So excited and I can't wait to get started!!! Hugs.Susan xxx

And yet more shoebox swaps...

This one was designed by Sharon Sim - it's one of my favourites (and yes, I know there is a butterfly on it but it's black!!!) It's made using a couple of Stampin' Up! sets which have now somehow made it on to my wish list - French Foliage and Artistic Etchings. Notepad - such a clever idea!

Another of Kirsteen Gill's designs using punches.

Christmas card designed by Emma Crockett.

Still not finished sharing. Fed up yet?! Hugs.Susan xxx

Some more of the weekend's swaps

As promised more photos of the weekend's shoebox swaps. A little robin Christmas card. Unfortunately I stamped him too far over on the Top Note so his tail is a bit hidden by the Lace Border!

A chest of drawers card designed by Mary Hutt - thought this was a really clever idea!

A Make A Monster card - this was the first one I made at the weekend - although I had to finish it at home as I stupidly glittered the little monster before I'd stuck it in the inside of the card! I love it. It's designed by Lorraine McCormack.

A gift bag, designed by Helen Anderson (completed with goodies in the inside which I haven't shared yet ;)

A vintagey, distressed Dasher Christmas card designed by Laura Riddell.

There are another few posts to come.... You'll be sick of them by the end of the week. Hugs.Susan xxx

Oops!

Didn't mean to let so long go by without blogging. Had a bit of a week last week at work, I won't go into it here though, I don't want to bore you with the details. And I was also getting ready for the very first Tartan Stampers Stampin Up Mini Convention! There were 25 of us from as far apart as Glasgow.. (ok, so that's not far), Ecclefechan, Aberdeen and America!!! Yes, one of the girls came all the way over from America (she is from Aberdeen though) and it was a great surprise to everyone. We had a fabby weekend of crafting, chat and most of all fun! On Saturday we did shoebox swaps which meant we had all prepared an item and prepared enough of the elements of the item for everyone to make it - didn't have to be a card as you'll see from a couple of the photos I have to share. I'm sharing some today and I'll share some more tomorrow. On the Sunday we did 2 scrapbook pages and a mini album - all of which have kind of reignited the flame for scrapbooking, so there might be some more pages coming.... The weekend also meant seeing what folk had done with stuff which will be appearing in the new Stampin' Up! catalogue - available from Saturday but it meant that I now have an expanded wish list ;) Now, I can only remember who some of the swaps belonged to so apologies to the girls' whose handiwork I can't remember! (I did write them all down on my little list and then lost it!!) Isn't Mr Owl fab with his Christmas party hat on - I think he might be a little drunk though... This was created by Liz Archer. This one was by Tracey Moon - although this was one that I didn't fully read the instructions as the ribbon should have been gathered underneath the blossom! Oops. This one was created by Dawn Silver

A little bag created by Lorraine Harrison-Rogers

A candy wrapper created by Kirsteen Gill

All products Stampin Up - some available from Saturday! I'll be back with more tomorrow. Hugs.Susan xxx

Candy

My lovely friend Ali has some followers candy on offer. Check her blog for more details. Closes 24th September. She's the master or should the be mistress of the CAS and the WOW card. Check out her gorgeous cards. Hugs.Susan xxx

Sweet Sassy Saturday

Yes, it's that time of the week again, it's Sweet Sassy Saturday over at the Simply Sassy blog You could win Best Withces! Hugs.Susan xx

Erika's Candy

My lovely friend Erika has some candy on offer. Closes next Tuesday (20th) Hugs.Susan xxx

Candy

Pixie Dust Paperie have some candy on offer that closes on 18th September. Click on their name to go to their lovely blog. Hugs. Susan xxx

Music Saves My Soul

By taking part in Marcea's Music Saves My Soul I'm hoping to avert your eyes from that fact that I have no card to share ;)

I haven't done this before so I thought I'd start with the Boss

.... Play it loud :) Have a good one whatever you're doing.

Hugs.Susan xxx

Star spotting!

Although sadly I haven't actually spotted any! The streets of Glasgow have yet again been transformed into America. Not Brad Pitt this time but a film starring Halle Berry and Tom Hanks called Cloud Atlas. They're filming just outside our office so work was quite exciting today watching all the action from our window (obviously that was between the work we were doing...) We've heard gunshots and seen car crashes. And when he was out at lunchtime Andy managed to spot Halle herself. The book by David Mitchell goes through 6 different time spans. This one they're filming just now is set in the 1970s so there were lots of affros and flares spotted today. I'm almost tempted to go into work tomorrow to see what else happens! Took this photo from our window yesterday - lots of old American cars arrived and I managed to snap these two! Hugs.Susan xxx

Wow!

I made the Charisma Cardz Facebook pick again :D

with Andy's birthday card! I am honoured and chuffed to have made it again :) Hugs.Susan xxx

A night off....

maybe. I'm scheduling this post so I don't sit with the laptop open after I come home from Anchor Boys, although I'm sure the lure of FB will prove too much and I will be back at some point. This is a card I made for last week's SN FB group challenge the theme of which was CAS. I've stamped the Gorjuss Girl (can't remember her name though) on the card and then coloured her in with Promarkers. Image - Gorjuss Girl, Funky Kits coloured with Promarkers, Party This Way, SU Hugs.Susan xxx

Tuesday again

*sigh* Maybe I should get an early night and things will look brighter in the morning.... Well, I can but hope can't I?! Been another hideous day weather wise here. That hurricane better blow itself away pretty sharpish cos I've had enough of this!! And it's not even the middle of winter yet. This is a card I've made for the SN FB challenge - the inspiration for which the lovely Fiona got off pininterest - a page of cakes...... yummmmmmmm. Some of which were chocolate and orange. Challenges: Sweet Stampin' - For a Teenager/Sketch Craft Us Crazy - Autumn Colours/Favourite Embellies Cute Card Thursday - At The Office (I've used brads (paper fasteners) and she's drinking coffee, an essential in any office) Allsorts - Flowers and Swirls Paperplay - Use 2 or more stamped images Lollipop - Use eyelets or brads Image - Luv A Latte, Funky Kits (coloured with Promarkers), Tiny Tags, SU Cardstock and paper - SU Ink - Chocolate chip, SU Embellishments - Flowers, button, twine and brads all from stash, Nesties - ovals and scalloped ovals Tools - Jewellery tag punch, SU, Big Shot Hugs.Susan xxx

What a horrible day

That Hurricane whateverhernameis has A LOT to answer for. The weather is hideous!! Winter has well and truly arrived. Kids are having their dinner just now as they're starting karate this evening. Then I have to pick them up, bring them home, throw Craig's Junior Section uniform on him and get him back up to Junior Section! Phew. Hopefully I'll manage to feed myself and Andy at some point through that too. Andy is on his way home by bus as the rail network appears to have ground to a halt. AGAIN. This country is just so not prepared for weather.... You might remember I mentioned that I went to the Craft World Demo weekend on Saturday. Kerry was there doing marvellous stuff with Prisma pencils. I have some but never really got into using them before I moved onto Promarkers. So she issued me with a challenge to do something with the pencils. She made it look so easy.... Well, how could I refuse. So here it is. Oh, and I just *had* to buy a Christmas Jack stamp to colour.... ahem. I love this wee stamp. He reminds me of Scott (well both the boys really) but Scott is much more like me and sticks his tongue out when he's concentrating! And both boys are left handed as is Jack, so you see, I really had to buy the stamp..... So Kerry, if you're looking in, I hope you like my attempt and that it passes the test ;)

Challenges:

CRAFT - Children Totally Gorjuss - It's A Man Thing Winter Wonderland - Santa Claus is Coming to Town CES - Make it Magical (well, Christmas is magical....) Image - Letter to Santa, Ladybug Crafts Ink coloured with Prisma pencils Cardstock - Old Olive, SU and red from stash Paper - Bo Bunny Embellishments - Buttons from stash, Bakers Twine, Sew Sweet Hugs.Susan xxx

I cannot believe

that 10 years have gone by since the attacks on the World Trade Centre. I was in our Edinburgh office delivering training when one of the Chairmen received a phone call from his sister in America to tell him of the terrible events that were unfolding before her eyes. I was 4 months pregnant with Craig and horrified at the world that we were about to bring a child into. I have tried to find an appropriate poem to post today as an act of rememberance but I couldn't find one so I've opted for Laurence Binyon's First World War Poem, part of which is so familiar to us. It seemed appropriate. 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. We will remember. Hugs.Susan xxx

Woohoo Strictly is back...

Saturday nights are made for Doctor Who and Strictly :) And at least this year it doesn't seem to have a profusion of soap stars who I have no clue who they are!! Over at the Sugar Bowl this fortnight there's a lovely sketch from Erika to use plus the optional theme of use your scraps.

I've actually been using scraps on cards for ages - I have so many of them! I think I've only once recently actually cut into a whole 12x12 sheet of paper!! So this is my attempt. I love this image (actually I love all of them but I can't have a favourite as they'll get upset) Challenges: The Sugar Bowl - Erika's sketch and Use Your Scraps Paperplay - Use two or more stamped images Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes Image -Strike A Pose, Funky Kits coloured with Promarkers, Sentiment - Inkadinkadoo (maybe) Cardstock and paper- from scrap boxes Embellishments - Gems Hugs.Susan xxx

And the birthday celebrations continue....

ish! I promised Scott that I would put the card he made for Andy on my blog. He's done a fab job hasn't he?!

Been at the Craftworld papercraft event today and had a lovely time. Bought some stuff too :) And I've been challenged by the lovely Kerry to do a card using my prisma pencils... oooh the pressure, I have until Monday and she'll be checking in!!

I was also *supposed* to make some badges for my Sugary friends to wear so we recognise each other at the SECC in October, although I think that as Cass is sitting with the Sassy stamps and the Copics that she could maybe do it while she's demoing......

So I might be back later. Ignored the housework all day yesterday - should maybe do something about it today. Well, maybe after this cuppa ;)

Hugs.Susan xxx

Sweet Sassy Saturday

I cannot believe that it's a week since the last Sweet Sassy Saturday but here we are again. Over at Simply Sassy you could win this stamp. Isn't she gorgeous?! Hugs.Susan xxx

Happy birthday to Andy!

Unfortunately the birthday boy had to go to work today but being the kind soul that he is he told me to keep the day off and do something for me and to ignore the housework! Well, an invitation like that doesn't come along every day so I had to do what the birthday boy instructed. I mean, I usually ignore the housework I just don't normally have permission to do it ;) Just been to Frankie and Benny's for dinner with the kids which was lovely but I'm stuffed now. For years Andy has been asking for a set of golf clubs but as he's only played a handful of times in the last few years I never saw any point. Anyway, this year he's been out a bit more often with his friends from work so I relented! They were in a large box so I'm sure you can appreciate that I didn't wrap them, instead I made this (rather large) gift tag/card thing!! Used the Kenny K digi image which I downloaded earlier. Unfortunately I made a mistake. I coloured both hands as if he was wearing gloves. And he wouldn't be. He'd only be wearing a glove on one hand..... oops. Andy never noticed though until I stupidly pointed it out. D'oh.

Challenge -

Cards for Men - G is for...... Image - Golfer, Kenny K digi image coloured with Promarkers, Alphabet, Penny Black Cardstock - Whisper White, Marina Mist, SU, other card from stash Paper - MME Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork Cards Tools - Nestie Labels, Big Shot This is the birthday card I made for him. I used last week's Lili of the Valey sketch which was by my lovely bloggy buddy Pop's Didn't get round to entering the challenge, but I loved her sketch so I took the opportunity and used the sketch for the card.

Challenges - Papertake - Anything Goes Charisma Cardz - Inspired by a Song (Sunny Afternoon) Totally Papercrafts - Buttons Stamp Something - Final Challenge - stamp something

Image - Lazy Afternoon, LotV coloured with Promarkers Cardstock - from stash Paper - MME Embellishments - Tim Holtz Ticket, Buttons from stash Scott wants me to show the card he made for Daddy but as it's dark now (sniff) I can't take it. I shall do it in the morning and share it with you tomorrow.Scott was Star of the Week for his class today so he's feeling very pleased with himself (and we're pleased with him too!) Hugs.Susan xxx

Horrible start to the day

The alarm went off this morning as usual at 6.45 am. I woke up with a start and thought "oh, I forgot to switch it off and it's Saturday". So I switched it off! Then I kinda came to and realised that it wasn't Saturday, it was, in fact, the start of my week!!! Monday if you like. Ouch!!! Anchor Boys was back tonight. Much as we complained it was actually quite nice to see all the boys again. Got 3 new boys but we only had 21 tonight which is about half of what we were used to at the end of the session in May - although 22 were promoted to Junior Section. Craig was made a group leader for the 2nd year running in Junior Section on Monday night so he's feeling very pleased with himself. I have been very remiss this week, I haven't been keeping up with challenges. I usually write them all down in my little book and then work round that with the crafting that I do through the week. Don't think I've written anything down since Sunday though. Must do better! Anyway, this is a card I made last night at Lorraine's. She said to bring our scrap boxes so this is what came out of mine!

Image - Fantasy Tree, Penny Black Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, SU Paper from Stash Ink - Chocolate Chip, SU Embellishments - Ribbon from stash Hugs.Susan xxx

Just a quickie (and a tiny card)

Thought I'd better pop on now in case I don't make it back later. Going over to my friend Lorraine's house tonight for a spot of crafting. Looking forward to it. If only to get away from the noise that is going on in my neighbour's house. Sounds like they have a pneumatic drill in there! And his pal turned the water off at lunchtime without telling anyone which was nice. And my washing machine was on. So if it's completely knackered, I'll be the one with a pneumatic drill. To their heads I was too knackered last night after party and parent council meeting to do any crafting but then I remembered I hadn't shown you this wee card. You might remember that a couple of weeks ago I went to the Craft at Home closing down sale. Well one of the things I bought was the Martha Stewart Happy Birthday punch and I threw this wee simple card together when I got home that night. Dead simple, but I love it. Especially good for men! Feels funny not to have a stamped image on it though. Cardstock and paper - from Stash Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork Cards Tools - Martha Stewart Happy Birthday punch Hugs.Susan xxx

So I appear to have lost 10 years....

It's been a busy old day. Coffee this morning with the girls and then when I got home I had to make a birthday card in time for Sam's birthday party at 5. And I did some tidying too, although looking round at the house you'd never believe that I had. Took the boys to the party from 5 till 7. Then I dropped Scott off with Andy, Scott's wee pal and his mum home, took Craig to Junior Section and went to a parent council meeting. Phew. While I was chatting with my friend and another of the mums at the Big Adventure I said "Ooh I think I put the wrong year on Sam's card, I think I put 1996". They looked at me like I had completely lost my mind and said "they were born in 2005 Susan.....". Mmmmmmm. Oops. So, this is the card I made for Sam's birthday today. Note the year. This is for Sam's 6th birthday. Sam was born in 2005. Not 1995! What a numpty. I shall recitfy the situation and stamp a new sentiment to replace the wrong one.

Image - Big Present and sentiment, LotV coloured with Promarkers Cardstock - Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, SU Paper - DSP Pack, SU and Party, Doodlebug I shall away now and stamp a new sentiment for the card. I'd go and craft too but I'd have to clear the table first and I'm not sure I can be bothered! Although there is some new Sugary goodness waiting there just to see some ink and some love so maybe I will after all ;)

Hugs.Susan xxx

In the interests of fairness

Here's a photo of Scott (and his pal Sam) when he was away with Cartha Queens Park RFC at Helensburgh today. Hugs.Susan xxx

Junior Great Scottish Run

Thought this deserved it's own wee post! Here's Craig yesterday having completed the Junior Great Scottish 3K run. He looks very pleased with himself and rightly so. I wasn't with him as I was doing the football run with Scott but Daddy was there to support him and capture this great moment. Well done Craig. Very proud of you. Hugs.Susan xxx

A fiesta of photographs

As promised yesterday these are the projects from the Stampin' Up retirement party that I helped Jen at. This is one of the demos that I did. The first photo is a demo was thrown together at around 12.10pm yesterday afternoon which was about 30 minutes before I was due to leave the house! Not sure why I decided that I needed another demo to do but there you go. Jen had asked me to use products that were retiring and the 3 sets that I've used I am gutted about their retirement. I use Basic Phrases a lot and the other two are both great sets for men and boys. Never mind though, onwards and upwards.

This next photo is one of the make and takes that we were doing, it was designed by Lorraine although my finished demo of it looks nothing like her original card. And the cards that the ladies produced during the M&T were all different too. All products Stampin Up unless otherwise stated. Stamp sets - Beware Pirates, Basic Phrases, Plane and Simple, Fresh Cuts (all retiring from catalogue), Baroque Motifs Cardstock - Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron Ink Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede Tools - Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch Hugs.Susan xxx

Sweet Sassy Saturday

Yes, it's that time of the week again. At Simply Sassy you could win Luv A Latte from Funky Kits. Hugs. Susan xxx

A retiring afternoon

Spent this afternoon helping out my friend and SU sister Jen at her Stampin Up retirement party at the Campanile Hotel in Braehead. Had a lovely time with a lovely bunch of ladies. The SU retirement list came out on Thursday and details all the stuff that isn't making it through to the new catalogue which launches on 1st October. Contact me if you would like to see a copy of the list - I'll be only too glad to place an order for you. Jen also asked me to do a demo using some of the retiring products. I actually ended up doing two! That's all I'll say for the moment cos I want to share the end products with you later - I've taken the photos, I just don't know what I did with the usb cable for the phone!! For the moment though - here's the anniversary card I made for Andy. I did it in a CAS style and used WOW.... not as good as perhaps Ali would make but I tried!

Challenge DYSU - Friendly Critters Image - PB Hedgehogs coloured with promarkers Cardstock - from stash Tools - Hearts embossing folder, Big Shot Now, where did I put that usb cable..... Hugs.Susan xxx

I should really be doing something else

but I've spent time messing with the laptop and my phone and I've found the photos yay!!

Image - The Gina, Ladybug Crafts Ink coloured with Promarkers Cardstock - from stash Paper - Craftwork Cards Embellishments - Gems - SU Hope you have a lovely weekend, whatever you're doing!

Hugs.Susan xxx

11 years ago today....

Andy and I got married. Awwwwww. We've been out for a lovely meal but now I'm stuffed and don't feel in the least bit like moving!!! I was going to post the photo of the card I made for my friend because I know she's got it. Think I've deleted it off my phone though *rolls eyes*. Susan xxx

This post has taken me sooooo long to write!

I'm doing about 37 different things at the same time. I'm doing an SU order, doing the SN blog hop again but leaving comments this time, chatting to friends on FB.... trying to ignore the children etc etc. And what I really, really should be doing is making an anniversary card. For tomorrow. Yes, didn't get it made last night, remembered it was a friend's birthday tomorrow too so I had to make that card instead. I was quite pleased with it. Can't share it just now though just in case.... This is a card I made the other day for Yvonne's daughter's birthday. I bought this stamp way back on Hogmanay when Ladybug Crafts Ink were having a BOGOF on their stamps. This stamp reminded me sooooo much of Rachel that I just had to get her (and even if it was only to do Rachel's card).

Challenge -

Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes

Image - Upside Down Robyn and sentiments Ladybug Crafts Ink, Alphabet, Penny Black Cardstock - from stash Paper - a couple of new sheets, but I can't remember who made them! If I find them in my stash box I'll edit this post! Hugs.Susan xxx