Once Every Four Years

Well what have you done with your extra day? Anything constructive? Proposed to anyone?  I asked the Anchor Boys that I was taking for craft tonight if any girls had asked them to marry them... they seemed to think it was a funny idea! Ah well, they're only 5, 6 and 7... maybe in another few leap years eh?!

Scott was best P2 on the night tonight at Anchor Boys. It's his second time winning so I was really pleased for him (no, I had no say in it!)

I am getting ready to go up to Aberdeen tomorrow. It's a long time on a train but at least I will have my Kindle with me. Even if I can't decide what to read.

So, this is another of the cards I made last night.  This is my first attempt at colouring on craft and I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out.

Challenges I'd like to enter:-

One Stop Craft - Colour on Craft
Crafty Catz - I Spy - B (blue and brown)
Divas By Design - Spots and/or Stripes

No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - Luv a Latte coloured with Prismas, Funky Kits, Sentiment, Personal Impressions
Cardstock and paper from stash
Ink - Rich Cocoa Memento
Embellishments - Pearls and Ribbon from Cass's stash

Thanks for dropping by today.

Hugs. Susan xxx

I'm all out of sync..

It's Tuesday but I've been to Cass's Crafty Cabin this evening.  Yes, I know it's normally a Thursday but this Thursday I am going to the Aberdeen office to deliver training. But that isn't the most exciting part of the day - as I was going to be in Aberdeen anyway I asked Debbi if she fancied meeting for lunch! Kath was going to come too but is sadly busy on Thursday so it's just me and Debbi!

This is a card I made for my friend's daughter's birthday which was yesterday which Sandra collected on her way up from the shops yesterday as she was going to do to cake for the birthday girl (Sandra lives closest to the school and did the same for Craig last week!). Sandra and Yvonne made sure that Craig didn't come straight home from school as he would normally and he was able to celebrate Lauren's birthday too.

Poor Scott had to stay home! He's better today though. He has at least been up and about and has eaten today so back to school for him tomorrow.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Cute Card Thursday - Winged Things
2 Sisters - Anything Goes

No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - Let Them Eat Cake coloured with Promarkers, Sentiment, Stampin Up
Cardstock and paper, from stash
 Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork Cards, Bow from Stash
Tools - Label Nesties, Big Shot

Thanks for dropping by tonight.
Hugs. Susan xxx

Not a good Monday

Oh dearie me, I have a sick boy in da house. Not entirely sure what's wrong with him but Scott is not well today. Think he must have picked up a wee bug. Hope it's a short lived bug, I feel so sorry for him, he's just lying on the sofa with his blanket over him and is cuddling Teddy. Hopefully the healing powers of Teddy will kick in soon (that and the calpol). So, here's another one of the cards I made over the weekend. I was inspired on Friday by Cathy's post and I confessed to Cathy that although I had Amelia she had never seen the light of ink. I was given a talking to.... (well, ish) and came up with this. Cathy has given her seal of approval so I'm quite happy with that :) No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Challenges I'd like to enter: DYSU - Distress I Love Promarkers - Time Image - Amelia, Funkykits coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers Cardstock and paper from stash Ink - Antigue Linen DI,Tim Holtz Embellishments - Clock and buttons from stash Thanks for dropping by today - I shall be spending the rest of the day watching a sleeping boy whilst maybe doing a bit of crafting... Nothing too noisy, don't want to wake him... shhhhhh. Hugs.Susan xxx

Cheating slightly...

I'm getting ahead of myself here...

But I didn't want to do a third post in a day so decided to schedule this for Sunday instead.

Been a busy little bee this afternoon. Made a couple of cards which was nice, the boys were occupied. Andy was on the laptop keeping an eye on the football scores (Hibs won, for a change) so I went into the dining room to create. Really enjoyed myself.



No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use it Up 2012.

Challenges I would like to enter

Creative Inspirations - Sketch
Sugar Nellie Facebook group - Shades of Blue
Winter Wonderland - Glitter and Bling
Tuesday Throwdown - Winter Blues
Allsorts - It's Your Choice
Delightful Sketches - Use Patterned Papers
Simon Says Stamp - Use 3 different papers
Moving Along With The Times - lots of layers

Image - Snow Buddies, Funky Kits coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers
Cardstock and paper from stash
Embellishments - Grommet, WRMK, Glamour Dust

Thanks for dropping by today. Have a lovely Sunday.

Music Saves My Soul Saturday

It's Saturday and the lovely Marcea has her Music Saves My Soul spot today... decided to join in today too I've chosen this song by Train, for no other reason than I love it! I had been having such a pleasant afternoon now it seems that we've been invaded by 28302934* other children. I have made two cards this afternoon. Now should I put the stuff away before dinner or will I just leave it, risk the wrath of Andy and then do some more later.... *not actual number ;)

Sweet Stampin Challenge

This week it's the turn of Team Fi at Sweet Stampin' towers to bring you the DT inspiration. Our monthly sponsor is of course Joanna Sheen who is offering £10 gift voucher to the monthly winner and our weekly sponsor is Quixotic who are also offering a £10 gift voucher. And what do we want to see this week..... Masculine cards! Go on, it's easy. It's so much easier than **** ;) Pop over to Sweet Stampin' and see the cards that Team Fi have left you for inspiration. I just know you're going to love them. Have a wonderful day, whatever you're up to.

Friday already....

Wow. Another week has whooshed by. Another Thursday another crafty night in Cass's cabin. Although the productivity rate went down last week. I only managed one card. I really must try harder lol! And next week the crafty night will be Tuesday as I'll be in Aberdeen next Thursday with work. Although I have to say, I'm looking forward to it because I am going to meet the lovely Debbi for lunch :) So this is the card. Tiffany from Sugar Nellies. I wasn't sure about her at first but I think I really love her now. Challenges I'd like to enter: Pollycraft - Ribbons and Buttons Sugar Bowl - Sketch and optional theme of kraft (she's matted on craft card just in case you can't see that) Papertake - Get Krafty Image - Tiffany, Funky Kits coloured with Promarkers and Copics Cardstock and paper from stash Embellishments - from Cass' stash! Tools - Fancy circle Nestie (can't remember it's exact name), flower punches,Martha Stewart border punch Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs.Susan xxx

Post birthday blues

and a Monday to boot! Everything always feels a bit flat after a birthday and today has been no exception! Went for my usual coffee date this morning. Unfortunately though Yvonne's daughter wasn't well so it was just Sandra and me. Came back up the road and (I hope you're sitting down) went into the spare room to tidy. At least I have made a start and there are 4 black bags waiting to go to the dump.... so far ;) However, housework clearly isn't good for you cos I've hurt my back! Never mind. I shall work on through the pain. I am waiting up tonight as there would appear to be a Tim Holtz TSV on QVC at midnight. And it's nearly my birthday/Mother's Day.. right ;) Onto today's card. This was made for a friend's daughter whose birthday was at the start of the month. I only managed to take it to work at the tail end of last week. It lay at the end of the hall for ages and became part of the decor so I stopped noticing it! Challenges I'd like to enter: Make it Monday Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes Image - Waiting (I think) PI Gorjuss coloured with Promarkers, sentiment from For My Family, Stampin Up Cardstock and paper from stash Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork Cards, Seam Binding Ribbon Thanks for dropping by tonight. Hugs.Susan xxx

Some birthday photos

Thought I would come back and share some photos of Craig's birthday with you. The birthday boy The not birthday boy (but he still got a wee present) Birthday cake - made by Tasmin McFadden. This is Katsuma who is a Moshi Monster. No, I don't know who that is either ;) Birthday tea at the China Buffet King with 3 of his friends. I'm away for a lie down now!

Hugs. Susan xx

Happy 10th Birthday Craig!

Today is Craig's birthday... I can't believe he's 10 already. It seems like only yesterday that he was born. I found the papers on Friday and coloured in the image but didn't put the card together until yesterday. I'm still not sure that it doesn't need a little something else but I'm sure Craig won't mind! Now, although I didn't buy anything for this card I cut into 2 12x12 sheets and a new 12x12 sheet of cardstock!!! This is the first time this year I've used stuff that wasn't in either of the scraps boxes. Don't worry though - they are still a long long way from being empty. Challenges I'd like to enter - The Sugar Bowl - Sketch (2nd entry) Card Makin Mamas - Happy Birthday Make it Monday - Anything Goes Creative Card Crew - Masculine Paper Sundaes - birthday Dream Valley Challenges - Just For Men Image - #1 Fan, coloured with Promarkers and Copics, FunkyKits, Sentiments, For My Family set, Stampin Up Cardstock and paper from stash Embellishments - Brads from stash And here we have the card that Scott created for his big brother. Isn't it good? He coloured in the image (apart from the face which I had done a while ago) and picked the papers. I cut them out for him and stuck the card together but he's very pleased with it!! Image - Digi Pirate stamp but no idea where he's from, Sentiment - For My Family set, Stampin Up Cardstock from stash Paper - from a free kit from the Scrapbook Magazine We're off to take the boys and 3 of Craig's friends bowling and then for something to eat. Have a great Sunday whatever you're doing. Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin Challenge

It's Saturday so that can only mean one thing. It's a new challenge over at Sweet Stampin' and this week it's Team Abi's turn to share some inspiration with you. This week it's a BINGO challenge - choose any 3 items from the Bingo Board below - vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Full details over at Sweet Stampin' As usual our monthly sponsor is Joanna Sheen And our weekly sponsor is Crafts and Me who are offering 3 digi stamps as a prize. So, onto my card. Now I have to be honest, I really thought I would hate this. Wasn't sure about the image once I had picked it - lots of ha.ir.... and then I printed it off and it was massive (should learn to resize) I coloured her in, picked some papers and then I got stuck...... However, on Thursday night I went for my usual crafty night with my lovely friend Cass and she encouraged me with Lace, Pearls and Ribbon! And now I have to admit I actually quite like this card, I'm really proud of it! Challenges: Cute Card Thursday - Flower Power Crafts and Me - Distressed DYSU - Layers Allsorts - Anything Goes Creatalicious - All About Lace Ruby's Rainbow - Vintage Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes Totally Papercrafts - Ribbons and/or Bows Digi Doodle Shop - Anything Goes Crafty Purple Frog - Flower Power Image - Forever Rose, Crafts and Me coloured with Promarkers and Copics Cardstock - from Cass's stash Paper - Papermania - from a long forgotten stack of paper Embellishments - Lace,Ribbon,Pearls and Flowers from Cass's stash, adhesive pearls, Stampin Up Remember to drop by the Sweet Stampin' blog for the gorgeous cards the DT have left you this week and leave my fellow teamies some love! Thanks for dropping by today - have a lovely Saturday. Hugs.Susan xxx

Look what I made

And I may need to pay for months of therapy to recover from this. Those of you who know me well know that there are 2 things I detest... the colour pink and butterflies (yes, I know they are harmless little creatures but their presence on cards just irritates me...) You may remember that my lovely friend Cathy sent me a couple of stamps - Rosie you've seen and last night I finished making a card with Butterflies and Pigtails. I was round at the Crafty Cabin with Cass and after I had finished making my DT card for tomorrow I turned my attention to something else. I was going to make a birthday card for Craig but somehow I don't think he would appreciate this one. I had coloured in her face and hair ages ago but hadn't got round to matching her with paper or anything. Then I came across the sentiment from the Just Believe Stampin Up set and it made Cass and I giggle at the thought of teaming it with pink and butterflies.... so here you go, in all her pinkness and butterflieness...... I'm away for a lie down now.

Challenges - Passion for Promarkers - Distressing (the mat behind her is coredinations card which I've distressed, and I was distressed making the card) Fab n Funky - Try Something New - pink and butterflies are certainly new for me... Sugar Bowl - Kiki's sketch and the optional Love theme (heart doily behind tag!) Delicious Doodles - Pink To Make The Boys Wink The Poodles Parlour - Card for a Female Image - Butterflies and Pigtails - Stampin Up coloured with Promarkers and Copics, Sentiment from Just Believe set, Stampin Up Cardstock - from stash, Paper - Tim Holtz Shabby Chic paper Embellishments - Pearls, ribbon, lacy heart doily from Cass's stash Tools - Big Shot, Nesties, Label dies, Go Kreate, Butterfly die, Marianne Thanks for looking. Hugs.Susan xxx

I survived half term...

and they're back at school tomorrow. For a couple of days... and then it's the weekend. But this weekend is a special one. Craig is 10 on Sunday!! Can't believe it, where has the time gone? We went to the Odeon Kids Club this morning to see Tin Tin. We arrived at 10.10am for the 10.30am performance. Big queues and 2 girls working on the ticket desk. By the time we got to the front of the queue, they were sold out!!! Not to worry though, we took the kids bowling instead. This is a card made last week (and based on my shoebox swap of last year's mini SU convention) for my former boss who left the department last Friday. Image - Motorbike, Basic Phrases, French Foliage, Stampin Up Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake Stampin Up Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork Cards Tools - Jewellery Tag Punch, Lattice Embossing Folder, Stampin Up, Big Shot Thanks for dropping by today! Hugs.Susan xxx

Well then....

What an exciting weekend this has been - Strictly on Friday, yesterday I made the Top 3 at Simply Stampin' with my DT card from last week and today I have been featured on the Sugar Nellie blog on their Sunday Showcase with my Rosie card of last week. I am so chuffed at both of these honours! Yesterday Scott was at a wee girl in class' birthday party at a local soft play place. Poor wee soul appeared to have been the only boy in his class who was invited but it seems not to have spoiled his enjoyment. This is the card I made for the little girl. I just couldn't do pink... Made her in on Thursday during my crafty evening with Cass in the cabin. At one point I wasn't sure what she was going to look like and did actually consider **** but a wee cake (Angel slice, containing a **** layer) upped the sugar levels and she became peachy/orangey instead. I used glossy accents on the balloons and thought they were dry so put it away. Wasn't quite dry so it went a bit wrong... never mind I'm sure no one will notice ;) as I covered it with more glossy accents! Spent some time last night colouring in some images so hopefully they will make it on to cards and I'll have something to share tomorrow. Image - Ellie's birthday, digi stamp from Saturated Canary coloured with Copics Cardstock - from mine and Cass' stash Embellishments - Buttons and twine from Cass' stash Thanks for dropping by today, have a lovely Sunday whatever you're doing. Hugs.Susan xxx

New Challenge at Sweet Stampin'

Over at Sweet Stampin' it's the turn of Team Fi to bring you some DT inspiration for your..... CLEAN and SIMPLE cards!! And there are some stunning cards over there. Our sponsor this week are Stamp Addicts who are offering one lucky winner a £10 certificate to spend in their online store. We also have our monthly sponsor Joanna Sheen who is offering a £10 voucher for their online store Come on let's see those CAS cards!! Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs Susan xx

Back home

It was fab! Loved it. Apart from Nancy who I just found annoying. Craig and Bruno were wearing kilts too.

And I got to see the gorgeous Ian Waite who is my favourite pro dancer :-) :-)

Excited.com

I am off to see Strictly Come Dancing tonight and am super excited!

Going with my aunt so she's here for dinner tonight, in fact, she and Andy are away for a Chinese as we speak.

Made a card last night at the crafty cabin with Cass. Will share it tomorrow. It's for a party that Scott has been invited to that I haven't bought a present for yet. Oops.

I'm having a break...

Yes, I know I should wait until the children get in from school but then I'll be doing homework, making dinner, taking the to karate yada yada. I didn't sleep at all well last night and when the alarm went off this morning I felt like I had had 10 minutes sleep so I'm kinda going in slowmo today. A friend at work asked me to make a couple of cards for her parent's Golden Wedding anniversary on Friday. I was slightly concerned at this commision having no idea where to start. However, a crafting session at my friend Lorraine's produced these results. Lorraine had seen this first card on Jenni Pauli's blog and thought it might be exactly what I was looking for. I saw it and loved it so I CASED it from Jenni. Both of the cards were made using Stampin Up products.

Image - Creative Elements Cardstock -Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede Ink - Not Quite Navy Embellishments - Crumb cake seam binding ribbon, punched hearts, pearls, twine Tools - Heart Punch The second card was for the two grand-daughters to send to Granny and Grampa in honour of their special day. Gone for the CAS look this time. The filigree heart is from a Memory Box die that Lorraine had just got in the post a couple of days before my visit. I think it works well. Cardstock - Very Vanilla Embellishments -Filigree Heart, Memory Box, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder - SU Tools - Big Shot Thanks for dropping by today! Hugs.Susan xxx

Vicky's Candy

Vicky is celebrating her 2 year blogaversary and is giving away this candy! Candy closes 3rd March. Hugs.Susan xxx

If anyone asks, you haven't seen me

I *should* be doing some housework but..... here I am. Oops. I will go immediately I have finished this blog post and put the kettle on ;) I made this card last night for the Sugar Nellie Facebook group challenge which was to use a certain colour palette. I used the Sugar Bowl sketch for it too. Isn't Posy just adorable? Oh, just had a sudden thought, she could have been a get well card. Ah well, never mind, maybe next time. And this is another card which no new products were harmed in the making off. Maybe by the end of 2012 I will actually have cut into some of the uncut cardstock and paper I have in my stash instead of just using up my scrap box!!

Challenges - The Sugar Bowl - Gayle's Sketch Allsorts - Free and Easy February Sugar Nellie Facebook Group - colours Image - Posy Pip coloured with Promarkers, Funky Kits, Tiny Tags, Stampin Up Cardstock and paper - from stash Embellishments - Card Candy, Craftwork Cards, Twine, Stampin Up Tools - Jewellery Tag Punch, Stampin Up Have a lovely rest of Sunday whatever you're doing. Keep warm!! Hugs.Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin' Challenge

Over at Sweet Stampin' we have a new theme for you this week.... We want to see your creations for "The One I Love".... Aww. Our monthly sponsor is Joanna Sheen who is offering a £10 voucher

and our weekly sponsor this week is Stamp and Create who are offering a $20 voucher Now this isn't my usual style of card - ie, there's no coloured image on it so I wasn't really very sure about it but the more I look at it, the more I like it!! And again, in the spirit of Use It Up 2012 no new products were harmed in the making of this card. Challenges: Totally Ladybug Tuesday - Loves Me, Loves Me Not Tuesday Throwdown - Use Hearts Joanna Sheen February Challenge - Love is In the Air Truly Scrumptious - Love and Hearts Little Miss Muffet - Valentines and Love Moving Along With The Times - Have A Heart One Stop Craft Challenge - For the One I Love Secret Crafter - Hugs and Kisses By The Cute and Girly - Love Is In the Air Simply Stampin' - Heartfelt Image - I Heart Hearts, Stampin Up Cardstock - Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Stampin Up Ink - Real Red, Stampin Up Embellishments -Ribbon, Pearls, Stampin Up Tools - Top Note die, Stampin Up, Label Nesties, Big Shot Pop on over to Sweet Stampin' to check out all the lovely "loving" cards that the DT have left for inspiration. I just know you're going to love them! Hugs.Susan xxx

For Cathy. At last.

Here she is. Rosie!!! I must admit, I love this card. I may frame her I like her so much. She had been coloured in and papers and card picked but other things got in the way so she hadn't made it to a card. Then yesterday morning I got a text from Cathy asking where she was. Now I just happened to be going to Cass' house last night (well, her crafty cabin more than her house) so I took Rosie with me and it must have been the magical vibes of the cabin because this is what I came up with. For once, I'm really excited about a card cos I love it so much! Hope you do too. Now, just in case you're wondering, I haven't made Cathy wait all this time to see the finished product, I emailed her this morning and received her approval :) So thanks to Cathy for sending me the stamp and for her support!! Now onto Butterflies and Pigtails.

Challenges Divas by Design - Anything Goes Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes DYSU - Anything Goes Image -Rosie, Funky Kits coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers Cardstock - from stash Ink - Milled Lavender DI, Tim Holtz Embellishments - Flowers, Brad, Pearls (from Cass' stash), Glamour Dust Tools - Oval Nesties, Square Nesties (Spellbinders) Flourish (Memory Box) Big Shot Hugs.Susan xxx

Off out. Again!

Only this time it is much more exciting. I am off to see Cass in her crafty cabin :-) *squeals*

I have some cards to share so if it's not too late I will come back and post them.