HAPPY NEW YEAR READERS!

Hi everyone and welcome to the very last day of 2012. Just want to wish all of my readers a happy and healthy New Year. To my friends who've not had the best of 2012's then I sincerely hope that 2013 will be better for you.

Yesterday hubby and I were carrying out DIY so not much time for crafting but, you know me, I managed a little! I also managed to watch "This means war", a DVD I bought hubby for Christmas - it wasn't QUITE what either of us was expecting but we both enjoyed it .... quite a lot, and will undoubtedly watch it again some time - always a good sign.

Another thing that was not QUITE what I was expecting (but was pretty gripping anyway) was Ripper Street ..... anyone watch it? - we'll certainly be watching the next one, to see how it progresses.

Anyway, on to the crafting

Materials used:

• 300 gsm, white deckle edged C6 card and matching sized envelope
• 14 x 10 cm red card panel
• 13½ x 9½ cm white card panel edged with Distress Ink - festive berries
• Stamping Bug image and Hero Arts sentiment stamped using Versafine onyx black ink
• Marvy le Plume II marker pens used to colour holly
• Quickie glue pen and ultra fine glitter used on the baubles
• Red and white twine - actually recycled from a gift tag received at Christmas!!!

Hope you like it - I have someone in mind for this - someone who made me a hand made gift for Christmas - thank you so much.

Short post from me today - just wanted to stop by and again I say HAPPY NEW YEAR - see you in 2013 everyone. Have a great time tonight and, be safe.

Lazy Sunday?

Hi there,

Is it me or wasn't there much on the telly last night? We ended up watching "Monsters vs Aliens" and then Love Actually - though, actually, we gave that up half way through!

What with that and rain pretty solidly ALL blooming day, it was definitely not the best day for our pal and neighbour to return from her Christmas vacation to a broken burglar alarm and no heating!! A couple of visits from the appropriate technicians and she's both secure and snug once more - HUZZAH. I bet she took an early night too, to beat the truly 'orrible weather as well as the jet lag! Can't wait to find out how Vietnam was though.

And, guess what? Chucking it down again today!!! What a surprise? Not only that but, once again, the wind is howling around the window frames - we've already had one casualty .... a pigeon blown in to the kitchen window. Fortunately, no lasting damage but I bet it's got one heck of a headache!

It being that time of year - I have another thank you care to share with you today

Materials used:

• 300 gsm deckle edged white C6 card and matching sized envelope
• 9½ x 14 cm black card panel
• 9 x 13½cm white card panel
• Scallop edged oval offcut - used as a mask and held in position using post its
• Distress Ink - seedless preserves applied to masked oval using a Tim Holtz blending tool and foam pad
• Dina Wakley image stamped using Versafine onyx black ink
• Imagine That sentiment stamped using Versafine onyx black ink

Unfortunately, I used Aleene's tacky glue to attach my panel to my base card and it moved as I was weighting it down - grr - didn't notice till I removed the weights and (of course) by this time it was far too late to do anything about it. I really think it's back to Scotch Quick Dry glue for me, despite the fact it's more expensive ...... it's not the first time I've fallen foul of last minute movement either - grrrrrrrrr indeed. Still it's an "anything goes" challenge over on Cute Card Thursday so I might just enter it there .... we'll see.

And now, inspired by Clare's on-line class (missed it? see it here) - and a wish to try something different (for me, zentangle) - another card making to journaling layout, this time in my journal and paying more attention to the theme - which I TOTALLY forgot about last but which I could just about see in my layout!!!

Materials used:

• Existing journal
• Alcohol markers and a steel edged ruler, to create the triangles
• Dylusions inks: London blue, lemon zest and bubblegum pink
• Faber Castell "pitt" pen (F) to draw freehand borders to triangles and to journal
• Sparkle 'n Sprinkle sentiment (when all else fails) stamped using Versafine onyx black ink - this image was a freebie and I simply couldn't resist selecting it from the numerous images in the basket ..... came with samples of glitter too!
• Kaisercraft clock border and Paper Artsy steampunk fish/balloon stamped using Versafine onyx black ink
• Kaisercraft bubblewrap image stamped using Colour Box violet and "dotted" over layout
• Hero Arts small "splat" image inked numerous times using Colour Box violet and also versamark ink with yellow pearl-ex dusted over
• Versamark pad applied DTP across the bottom space and yellow pearl-ex dusted over - to give sheen.

Can't see that sheen? Try these then!

Happy Sunday - hope you're not growing webbed feet like I am!

Saturday and it's no longer JUST challenge day!

Morning readers,

How are you coping after the Christmas indulgence? Got plans for resolutions for 2013? Like almost everyone else I have plans to lose some weight - yeah right!

Saturdays are usually challenge days but, because of Christmas, most challenges are taking a break and so I don't really have much to do on the challenge front!

Luckily, Clare launched her first on-line class entitled "from card making to art journaling" and I couldn't resist having a go ......

Materials used:

• White card - 6" x 4"
• Pro Markers
• Steel edged ruler
• Faber Castell Pitt pens - black (F and SX)
• Distress Ink:- seedless preserves
• Dylusions leaf border stamped twice using Versafine onyx black ink
• Creative Expressions "chicken wire" image inked with both Memento grape jelly and Versafine onyx black and "dotted" about
• Hampton Arts "hand" image inked using Memento grape jelly
• Silver acrylic paint and Luna Lights mica paint applied with a credit card and various product caps
• Journalling was handwritten using the Pitt pens and the Tim Holtz self adhesive words and phrases

There is also the new challenge over on Cute Card Thursday which is "ANYTHING GOES" which I can have a go at!

Woken this morning by the sound of rain "persisting" down and wind growling through the latched windows Hubby apparently had a rubbish night as a result (sadly, for him, I slept right through). I just hope that people living in low lying areas won't get flooded yet again. Take care if you are in an affected area.

Happy Saturday and, if this is the last time you stop by before 2013 then .....

The last Friday Funny of 2012!

Morning all,

Having eaten enough to feed a small army over the last couple of days it was a light snack day yesterday - ruined only by picking at the chocolates whilst watching Mrs Brown's boys and the Vicar of Dibley Christmas specials! Ah well, maybe in the New Year then!

Time to start thinking about the thank you cards ..... a perfect batch card!

Materials used:

• 300 gsm white, deckle edged C6 card and matching sized envelope
• Distress Ink in ripe persimmon applied directly to the card
• Imagination image stamped on to persimmon panel using Versafine onyx black ink
• Hero Arts thank you sentiment stamped using the Versafine onyx black ink

You know how you feel between Christmas and New Year? No, not about FOOD .... I meant crafting! You feel you would quite like to try something new but can't quite make a decision ....... well - if you feel like trying art journalling, then a crafting pal, Clare, is going to be setting up an on-line art journalling workshop today so why not pop over and check out her blog here

And now for the Final Friday Funny of 2012 and it's courtesy of Lilian - thanks matey. She sent this to me on Christmas Eve, in e-mail form

I just  had a call from a charity asking me to donate some of my  clothes to the  starving people throughout the world. I told  them to piss off.   Anybody  who fits into my clothes isn't starving.       

And, using the random number generator, the winner of the Friday Funny draw for 2012 is ........ week number two, January 13th, which was LIZ - well done Liz. A little something will be winging your way.

True Random Number Generator

Min:   1

Max:  52

Result: 2


Can anyone tell me how to copy and paste the whole random number generator box in to my blog? I've tried all ways! I KNOW it's possible because I've seen people's blogs with results in the box but every time I try it I just get the above which, frankly, I could just have typed in (but didn't)!

Thanks to everyone who's submitted a Friday Funny - keep 'em coming in 2013 and we'll have another draw this time next year.

If you're not stopping by again this year then ...... HAPPY NEW YEAR to you

It's the in between Christmas bit ....

Hi there,

Another slightly late post from me today - I blame the late night last night!

Only a little light crafting this morning - didn't want to try anything too technical so just a little mail art to get on it's way today.

Materials used:

• one DL and one C5 envelope
• Memento tuxedo black ink
• Dog image and greeting by Cats Pyjamas and star image by Inkwell - it was a recent Craft Stamper freebie

And the reason for my lethargy? We were round at the surrogates for our Secret Santa "party". Well, hubby's Secret Santa got him right on the button with a super Indian cook book and a T-Shirt which proclaimed him to be the "Curry Master"!!! YAY - can't wait to have him trawl the book for a new recipe!

Me? My Secret Santa did pretty well for me too with four of my favourite brew! and a splendid selection of chutneys - bet they'll co-ordinate perfectly with some curries!

Think today might be a little light crafting and reading my book! Yes, a REAL paperback! A Chrimbo gift from hubby - it's Clive Cusslers "Lost Empire". I'm not far in to it yet but am enjoying it .... as I pretty much always do - love Mr Cussler! Anyone else a fan?

Been to the sales yet? I trawled the "virtual" shops yesterday but my credit card remains unharmed! Have a great day

Happy Boxing Day peeps, only 364 days till Christmas!!!!

Hi there,

Sorry, couldn't resist that one!

How was your Christmas? I hope that Santa was as kind to you as he was to me! I got some lovely presents ..... lots of purple too; from handbags, scarves and gloves to lace and embossing powders! Yee Haa! Lots to play with today and not much time to do it in!! I'm sat here this morning surrounded by lovely Christmas gifts (all waiting for a home) armed with my fab "love to shop" insulated coffee mug (complete with contents, I should add) - it didn't look like it would work ... but it DOES! Thanks Liz and Graeme!

The "funnest" (is that even a word?) giftie has to have been the well dressed bottle .... in it's own Santa Suit!!, from our lovely U.S. neighbours, Sally and Roger

No, this WASN'T our Christmas lunch!!! Some are Christmas presents and others are just nibbles in preparation for buffet guests over the holiday!

I EVEN have plans for this super gift from pal, Naomi ... well the plans are more particularly for the tin, but the rest look useful and the hand cream smells yummy, I'm thinking it's perfect for altering!

Funnily enough, I just got one stamped image - a rather fab Happy Birthday unmounted image as part of a beautiful (and PURPLE) collection of gifties from my CMLI Secret Santa. I may, therefore, be trawling t'internet later for the images I had on my "wish list" that obviously never reached Santa! It should be pointed out that "Santa" DID get me some gorgeous distress ink colours and Dylusions inks along with books and DVD's ....... just no rubber!, so I HAVE been rather spoiled!, thanks Santa!

I've been trawling t'internet but, so far this Boxing day, have bought one DVD and four free books for my kindle!

Best I get off and do some crafting ..... here's how my craft area looks on this What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday - what's yours look like? See? That tin has already made it there!

Happy Boxing Day

Merry Christmas

The Purple Princess is away from her desk today - I expect to be busy OPENING PRESENTS! and I've scheduled this - just in case anyone stops by

Just a quick project to share with you all this Christmas Day. Many of you probably know that I exchange materials with a buddy on the Isle of Skye. She recently sent me some materials which I made in to an ATC and it is now my turn to send her materials ..... so, below you will see the materials I will be sending her and the ATC I made using them myself .... hope you like them, and I hope she will too.

Materials sent:

• ATC blank
• Cats Pyjamas image and sentiment stamped on to white card using Versafine onyx black ink
• Small label
• Patterned paper offcut from the magnificent Costco paper stack!

 Additional Materials used:

• Distress Ink - faded jeans and water spritzer
• Craft Stamper free hanging stars image stamped using Versafine onyx black ink
• Goosebumps shimmer/texture spray
• Atyou copic spica glitter pens, to colour
• Glossy Accents, to simulate glass
• Icicle stickles on the "bubbles"

I hope to be back at my desk and may even have more craft "stuff" to play with too!! I hope that Santa has been kind to you and I'd like to wish you all a Peaceful, Happy and more Prosperous 2013. So far I've only opened my stocking presents and already have a dylusions ink spray and two shiny new distress inks in ripe persimmon and seedless grape - mmmmmmmmmmm

This came to me in e-mail form and I loved the humour! It was called "GOT THE TREE UP"!!!!

Sunday? More like GRAYday!

Afternoon all,

Only two more sleeps till "C" Day - you ready for it yet? Got the presents bought/wrapped/given out? Got the turkey? If it's frozen ...... is it thawing? Got the sprouts? Hubby did our shopping whilst I was at the hairdressers on Friday - how LUCKY am I to have gotten out of that awful chore?

I'm a bit later posting today but that's because I've been bumming around in my PJ's all morning and trying to finish the Christmas-y book that I'm reading on my kindle - made it!, enjoyed it and now ready to move on to the next Christmas-y book - heavens, how I LOVE my kindle!

Only just got round to crafting and have made one card which I hope will fit two challenges. The two challenges are:

1. Cute Card Thursday - eat, drink and be merry
2. Simply Less Is More - drink

Anyway, I hope the folks over at CCT will be happy to accept a rather CAS entry but the image is so darned cute I hope I'll get away with it!!! See what you think, peeps

Materials used:

• 14½ cm square, white, 300 gsm, scallop edged card and matching sized envelope
• Red card panel
• Cats Pyjamas "cool dog" stamped on to white card using Versafine black onyx ink
• Penny Black sentiment stamped using Versafine black onyx ink
• Alcohol ink used to lightly colour image
• Glossy Accents to simulate the glass

For the eagle eyed amongst you, you will note that the image panel isn't entirely squarely set on the red matting layer ..... IT WILL BE!! I usually wait for glossy accents to dry BEFORE finally gluing down so my image panel isn't actually placed yet but I couldn't wait to finish the card before posting on my bloggy.

Happy Sunday

Saturday - challenge day and only three more sleeps!

Morning,

I can almost hear sleigh bells - Christmas is getting so close! Mind you, what a wet and wild start to the Christmas holiday we're having?! It's been chucking it down for hours and many places are subject to amber alert flood warnings. If you are travelling for the holidays then please take care and be safe.

Me? I'm staying put and crafting my little (size four) socks off!! Here's the first item -

Over on the Simply Less Is More blog their new challenge was launched this morning and it is ...... DRINKS!!!

Materials used:

• 300 gsm 14½cm square white, scallop edged card and a matching sized envelope
• Go Kreate scalloped square dies (8½ and 6½ cm square) used on hand made glitter paper in two shades of purple (a prize from a fellow crafter - thanks Jackolean)
• American Art Stamp image (EM7119F) inked using (watch out, here comes another drink related connection) Memento rich COCOA!
• And another ..... ALCOHOL markers used to colour!
• I highlighted with frosted lace stickles and glossy accents

Hope you like it - I have, however, fooled one fellow crafter as she thought she knew EXACTLY which image I might use for this challenge!! I must confess that I DID think of that one first, Debs! - but I like to keep y'all guessing and I PLAINLY have too many drink related images!!! Hmmmmm - maybe a New Years Resolution ....... for the glitter aficionado's here's a bit of a close up of that spectacular twinkle!

I was a bad blog visitor to the LIM entries last week, for which I apologise and will try to do a little better this week but it IS Christmas (so I hear) - if I don't visit your blog then it means I'm too busy and NOT that I don't like your card. Merry Christmas LIM-ettes!


The Addicted to CAS challenge is fortnightly and the ongoing theme is SWEET ..... I've had one go but you never know, I might manage another! And the monthly challenge over at 52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown is a rather super sketch - if you fancy having a go there - still time! Still time for those last minute Christmas cards or to give you a head start on them for 2013 - whichever suits your needs!

Have a great Saturday

Tis the last Friday Funny before Christmas!

Hi there,

Boy, we've had some extreme weather the last few days. Loads of flood warnings still in effect this morning and travel chaos predicted on the roads and railways on this, essentially the first day of the Christmas vacation for most. If you have travel plans then I hope you are able to complete them - take care out there. This morning has dawned (just about, as I write this!) dry and mild - it's 6°c (that's 43° in the good old fashioned Fahrenheit). I'm just pleased that I don't have to de-frost my car or break out the snorkel and flippers this morning!! Early start for me as I'm out this morning - having my pre Christmas primp at the hairdressers - treating myself to a facial and massage too - be out most of the morning. I'm leaving hubby in charge at home - just in case of any last minute deliveries though yesterday's last minute present arrived in a damaged condition so has to go back in the New Year. Unfortunately, I don't have a plan B ..... but I do still have a few days to come up with one! Wish me luck! Any ideas?

Loved yesterday's card, technique and image so couldn't resist having another go ..... bet you can't guess what colour I used - can you?

Materials used:

• 300 gsm deckle edged white card and matching sized envelope
• 6½ x 6 cm silver mirri card panel
• 6 x 5½ cm lilac card panel
• 5½ x 5 cm white card panel

 As per yesterday, for the image panel

1. Distress Ink, dusty concord smooshed on to a craft sheet and spritzed with water
3. White card panel smooshed on to the inked section of craft sheet and then dried. Repeated till I liked the depth of colour and variations
4. Craft Stamper free stamp inked using Versafine black onyx
5. A small amount of silver acrylic paint dropped on to a CD and then an old credit card run through it to create the lines and a small lid (off my mini mister as it happens) dabbed in to the paint - to create the circles
6. Goosebumpz shimmer sprayed over the panel to both seal and give a lovely sheen

I am LOVING it in the purple colourway - which do you prefer readers? You tried goosebumpz? What did you think? It took way longer to dry than I anticipated but far less than glossy accents (which might have been plan B if I hadn't used distress inks - I thought the D.I.'s would run and spoil the card if I'd used the thicker and wetter G.A.'s)

Here's how the original looked - using Faded Jeans .....

And now for a Seasonal Friday Funny courtesy of Marsha in the U.S., thanks Marsha - she's cleared up one little mystery that has perplexed me for years - ENJOY

Subject: A Christmas tradition explained:


When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the pre-Christmas pressure.


Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.


When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.


Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.


Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the rum.


In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into a hundred little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor.


He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.


Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.


The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day?


I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'





And thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree. Not very many people know this.!!!

Take care out there today, it's a little challenging on the British roads and rail network today and I know parts of the U.S. have been experiencing blizzard conditions too - stay safe

 

Have a great weekend and a very

Thursday - not many sleeps left now ..... or are there?

Morning all,

Marsha sent me a funny this morning and I wanted to share it with you all right away ..... for those of you who've been living in a cave lately ..... the World is going to end tomorrow - according to the Mayan calendar but - help is at hand!!

 

Over on the Cute Card Thursday blog a new challenge, launched today, features the phrase "Eat, Drink and be Merry"

Of course I STILL have an ATC to make so I can send duplicate materials to my Isle of Skye trading card buddy when I return the ATC featured on my blog yesterday ...... still thinking!

However, I DID get round to my star card for the CASology challenge - yep, ANOTHER Christmas card but hey ....... less to make for 2013 (or will it be 2014). Was reading a back issue of Craft Stamper in bed last night and thought - (LIGHTBULB!) "why not?", so here it is.

Materials used:

• 300 gsm, deckle edged white card and matching sized envelope
• 6 x 6½ cm silver mirri card panel
• 5½ x 6 xm black card panel
• 5 x 5½ cm 300 gsm white card panel
• Hero Arts sentiment stamped directly on to the card card using Memento Paris dusk ink

For the image panel

1. Distress Ink, faded jeans smooshed on to a craft sheet and spritzed with water
2. White card panel smooshed on to the inked section of craft sheet and then dried. Repeated till I liked the depth of colour and variations
3. Craft Stamper free stamp inked using Versafine black onyx
4. A small amount of silver acrylic paint dropped on to a CD and then an old credit card run through it to create the lines and a small lid (off my mini mister as it happens) dabbed in to the paint - to create the circles
5. Goosebumpz shimmer sprayed over the panel to both seal and give a lovely sheen

Hope you like it.


Have a fab Thursday - see you after the end of the World then!

Wednesday and only six more sleeps!!!

Hi there,

Yesterdays challenge launched over on the CASology blog uses the one word inspiration and it's STAR - watch this space!

As my regular readers will know I swap materials with a lady on the Isle of Skye and my latest challenge materials arrived yesterday. Pam does like to challenge me and she sent me a row of houses stamped on to white card (but not ATC sized) and a patterned die cut (or punched) border. Hmmmmm - what to make.

Materials used in addition to those supplied:

• ATC blank
• Distress Inks: tumbled glass, weathered wood, chipped sapphire
• Alcohol inks to colour images
• Quickie glue pen and foil
• Goosebumps shimmer texture spray - to seal, add texture and shimmer

I had a disaster which was hard to recover from in that I ran the border through my Xyron sticker maker with the intention of gilding my border. HOWEVER, when I burnished the excess off I found the whole gilding flake surface peeled off too. By this time it was adhered to the ATC and looked like a sticky mess! HMMMM, how to recover from this one!? I whipped out my quickie glue pen and drew over the border before applying foil. Sadly, this didn't work overly well and I had a second go at this too ...... better but far from a perfect look, however, I quite liked the effect as it looked more "weathered" to me so I went with it. To sort out any residual stickiness I sprayed the goosebumpz which had the added bonus of sealing, adding texture AND gave it a shimmer .... here's a close up of the shimmer - hope you can see it!

And here's how my work desk looks today - messy, messy, MESSY!! I keep promising myself that I will have a tidy up but ...... where am I going to put it all!?!?!?!?!

Happy Wednesday

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Tuesday and only SEVEN more sleeps!

Hi there,

Another beautiful sunny day dawned here at the Purple Palace and now (after lunch) it's STILL sunny - what's that all about just a week before Christmas?

Anyway, despite the almost spring feel I wanted to make a Christmas card - I KNOW - don't remind me, I've finished all my 2012 Christmas cards and appear to be well on the way with 2013. It's NOT like I NEEDED to make yet more Christmas cards but there you are, when the creative bug hits - who am I to argue?

 

Materials used:

• 300 gsm white C5 card and matching envelope
• Inkadinkado snowflake image stamped using Colour box violet pigment ink and clear embossing powder
• Liquitex iridescent medium and Glamour Dust painted to highlight and add loadsa sparkle
• Hero Arts sentiment stamped using Versafine onyx black ink
• Lines embossed horizontally using and embossing tool and the channel from my paper trimmer
• Matted on to co-ordinating lilac card

Here's a close up to (hopefully) better show the super twinkle!

And regular readers will know about my materials swap with a trading card buddy on the Isle of Skye, well, her latest batch of materials arrived this morning (just in time for Christmas) - want to see what they are?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - any ideas?

Enough of that - off to Costco in a mo to see what pre Christmas bargains there are to be had - remind me that I DON'T need more wrapping paper either!

Happy Tuesday

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