It's New Years Eve ... there went another year

Hi,

Hope you've had a brilliant Christmas and have a splendid New Years Eve planned .. me? Well, I SUSPECT my NYE may involve an early night, a tub of Vick's vapour rub and a celebratory dose of night nurse!!! Not QUITE what I had in mind!

Still, I have (WO)manfully struggled on at the ToC .. that's Table of Craftiness .... I PROMISE that this will be the last Christmas card (this year)!!! Inspired by an electronic conversation I was having with Di (if you are reading this, Di, I haven't forgotten the brochure either - my excuse is that I've felt poorly, sorry, but it WILL be winging it's way to you very soon)

My card

A more close up shot of the Delicata ink - NOT embossed

The front and back of my card

The inside of my One Layer Card and the reverse of the envelope

Materials used:

• White C6, 300gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Inkylicious image stamped using Delicata golden glitz ink
• Inkylicious sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink

It seemed to both Di and I that nothing else was really necessary. I took the decision to make it a One Layer Card too - perfect for posting abroad when the time comes!

I'll be entering this for the following challenges:-

1. Creative Friday - challenge No. 169 - LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS CARDS
2. CAS-ual Fridays - challenge No. 164 - CELEBRATIONS

And now, on to my last project of the year ..... this morning I heard from one of my oldest and dearest friends that her father (who'd been in hospital since the 20th) lost his battle for life this morning. I've known Alan since I was very small and have many fond memories of him, I shall miss him and didn't feel I could "get by" with one of my generic cards so set about making a special one for the newest star in the heavens tonight.

My card

The inside of my card and the reverse of my envelope

The front and back of my card and front of my envelope

Materials used:

• White C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two white card panels cut to 9½ x 14cm and 9 x 13½cm
• One grey panel cut to 9½ x 14cm
• Snippets of pearlescent grey, blue and black card
• Dina Wakely star image stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• Stampers Anonymous sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• My image panel was adhered using dimensional foam tape
• Just a touch of stardust stickles to offset the starkness

I'll be entering this for the following challenges:-

1. Simply Less Is More - challenge No. 309 - DIMENSION
2. Brown Sugar - challenge No. 231 - ANYTHING GOES
3. That's Crafty - December 23rd challenge - ANYTHING GOES

It's that time of year when one reflects on what is past and what is yet to come ... certainly from a celebrity point of view 2016 was not great. On a personal level though, I'd say it was pretty good for me; I made new friends, met some online friends for the first time, attended a couple of retreats and crops - all very sociable. On the down side, 2016 also saw some family bereavements and my friend's father just this morning - a sad fact of life. I do think that, taken all together, 2016 was a good year and I hope that 2017 will be better still.

Happy New Year to you all ... see you on the other side!!!

It's the last Friday of 2016 and time to announce this year's winner ..

Morning all

Welcome to the last Friday of 2016, bringing us to the last weekend of 2016 and with Saturday being New Years Eve I suspect that many of you will have party's to go to or hose - hope you have a great time and that 2017 will be simply BRILLIANT for you and your creativity!

A few short days ago (Christmas Day in fact) I shared a Clean And Simple card design using my Dina Wakely star image and saying it was (IMHO) virtually foolproof and that I might use it again, perhaps deploying silver and navy or black .... actually I went with grey and navy and I think it's safe to say that this one has a more masculine feel to it.

My card

The front and back of my card

The inside of my card and reverse of my envelope

Materials used:

• White 10cm square, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two white card panels cut to 9 and 9½cm square
• One navy card panel cut to 9½cm square
• Dina Wakely star image stamped using Versafine smokey grey ink
• Anita's sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• Kaisercraft small splat stamped using Ranger Archival cobalt blue ink
• Stardust stickles used to highlight the lines of the star
• Some of you may notice that my glue (Silicon glue for a change rather than my more quick drying tombow) allowed me to slip my image panel slightly askew ... no mistakes in art!!
• White gelly roll gel pen used to doodle a border on the odd margin side .. and BINGO!

I will be entering this make for the following challenges:-

1. Penny's challenges - challenge No. 309 - ANYTHING GOES
2. Through The Craft Room Door - December 27th challenge - ANYTHING GOES
3. Tuesday Morning Sketches - challenge No. 383 - ANYTHING GOES

And now, since it is Friday you've probably stopped by to see the last Friday Funny of 2016 .... the Friday Funny has been a regular feature on my blog for several years but it is with some sadness I have to announce that this will be the last of my REGULAR Friday Funny posts. 2016 saw me trawling the internet and facebook for almost half my Friday Funny's as I just don't seem to get the circulating funny mails any more. So, today's will be the last and I shall announce the winner of my last FF prize draw at the end of this post. I should like to thank those of you who have supported my posts and especially to those who have submitted Funnies for use - THANK YOU. It should be pointed out that, IF I get some really good ones then I shall pop along and feature them on my blog .. we'll see how that works out

This week's comes to you courtesy of a trading card pal, PatG - so, I literally got it off Pat!!!

Why You Shouldn't Lie

A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17."

The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Several hands went up.

The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only sixteen chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying." 

And the winner of the Friday Funny prize draw for 2016 is:

And the section from my spreadsheet (below) indicates the winner (No. 27) to be SANDRAT, Congratulations, your prize will be on its way very soon

25	Jun 17th	Lesley T
26	Jun 24th	Marsha
27	Jul 1st	SandraT
28	Jul 8th	Marsha

Welcome to the LAST What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday of 2016

Morning all,

Hope you are all enjoying a BRILLIANT Christmas break, having a splendid time with your family and friends. I also hope that Santa was kind to you on Sunday (Saturday, Monday or whenever you opened your gifties) .. did you get loads of craft goodies? We did Secret Santa on Boxing Day, with the surrogates - thanks for your company and our presents peeps

Me? Well I took a day off from crafting, but you can't keep an obsessive crafter down for long and I just can't stop myself making Christmas cards - must be because of the season......

CARD #1

CARD #2

The front, back and inside of my cards along with the front and back of the envelope

Materials used:

• White 10cm square, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of red card and two pieces of white card each cut to 9½cm square
• Two pieces of white card cut to 9cm square and then die cut using the My Favorite Things snowflake die
• Hero Arts sentiment stamped using Verafine onyx black ink
• Petaluma snowflake image stamped using Memento Paris dusk ink

Clean, Simple, THE perfect solution for a batch make - wonder if I'll remember this when the time comes to run up those last few cards in November of 2017!

I'll be entering this for following challenges:-

1. Through The Craft Room Door - December 27th challenge - ANYTHING GOES
2. Holly Jolly Christmas - December challenge - ANYTHING (Christmas) GOES
3. Crazy challenge - challenge No. 238 - EVERYTHING GOES
4. Dream Valley challenges - challenge No. 146 - CHRISTMAS
5. Crafting when we can - challenge No. 134 - CHRISTMAS

And now, since it IS the last WOYWW of 2016, here's a sneaky peek at my desk. I shall be entering this pic over at Julia's WOYWW challenge No. 395, where I am entry #4

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It's Christmas Day!

Morning all.

I don't imagine (for one moment) that many of you out there in blogland will stop by today but, just in case!

I should like to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year - see you on the other side!

In case you've stopped by to see what I've been making (and for this I thank you) here's today's make and, no, it's actually NOT A CHRISTMAS CARD!!

My card

The inside of my card and reverse of my envelope

The front and back of my card

Materials used:

• White 10cm square, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card, cut to 9cm and 9½cm square
• One piece of gold pearlescent card cut to 9½cm square
• Dina Wakely star image stamped using Delicata golden glitz ink - the sheen is simply splendid IRL!
• The Cats Pyjamas sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink

Clean And Simple at its best, two stamps, two inks, two layers and a bit of shine - nothing else required! AND it has the added bonus of being unisex! I may use this again (and again!) - I LOVE this star image so much .. I may try it in silver and with either black or navy matting next - watch this space!

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. That's Crafty - December 23rd challenge - ANYTHING GOES
2. CRAFT challenge - challenge No. 395 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Cute Card Thursday - challenge No. 457 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Southern Girls - challenge No. 150 - Team Lou ANYTHING GOES
5. Crafting with an attitude - challenge No. 22 - ANYTHING GOES

It's Christmas Eve!

Morning all

It's Christmas Eve and I bet many of you have either a very busy or very sociable day ahead and maybe both!!! Take care and ENJOY!

Yes, Christmas Eve and what am I doing? STILL MAKING CHRISTMAS CARDS!!! Am I THAT far behind? Nooooooooooooo, actually, I'm not ...... but new stash bump started my creativity and I just can't stop myself - less to make come November 2017 though so it is a kind of win win situation for me!

My card

The front and back of my card and reverse of my envelope

Materials used:

• White C5, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two white card panels cut to 14.2 x 9½cm and 13.7 x 9cm
• One navy panel cut to 14.2 x 9½cm
• Using my MISTI for placement I stamped the Habico snowflake corner using Ranger Archival cobalt blue ink and the Inkadinkado sentiment using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• I added stardust stickles to some of the snowflakes and Plaid dimensional gloss to others and set aside to dry overnight

I'll be entering the above for the following challenges:

1. Brown Sugar - challenge No. 230 - CHRISTMAS
2. CAS-ual Friday - challenge No. 163 - CHRISTMAS
3. Creative Friday - challenge No. 169 - LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS CARD
4. Dragons Lair - December challenge - WINTER WISHES

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL 

Welcome to the last Friday Funny before Christmas

Morning all,

Oh I DO love Christmas .. I've had a Christmas lunch this week, a pre Christmas primp at the hairdressers and various pals "dropping in" for coffee and mince pies ... fa la la la la!

Right, following the arrival of new (Christmas) stash and despite the fact I have completed all of my cards for 2016 - I have another batch of Christmas cards to share today! I just can't help myself!!!! Whilst they were made as a batch I have tried to make each a little different, as you can see, card 1 is DEFINITELY for hand delivery!

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

My batch of envelopes

The batch, front and back of my cards

Materials used:

• White A5, 300gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• White card, gold card and red card (outer panels 14.2 x 10cm, matted panels 13.7 x 9½cm + snippets)
• Organza graduated colour ribbon, narrow deep red satin ribbon and wider polka dot red ribbon
• Habico Santa in two sizes stamped using Ranger Archival inks in jet black and watering can
• Kaisercraft and Penny Black sentiments stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• Alcohol markers and Kaisercraft glitter gel pens to colour
• Stardust stickles to add twinkle
• Plaid dimensional gloss added to look like the glass in Santa's glasses

Goodness me how I LOVE this Santa!! I just HOPE I shan't bore you by ONLY using him for the Christmas makes .... but I can't be sure.

I'll be entering the above for the following challenges:-

1. Dream Valley - challenge No. 146 - CHRISTMAS - card 1
2. Christmas Card Challenge - December 18th challenge - MUST BE CHRISTMAS - card 1
3. Delicious Doodles - 1st December challenge - CHRISTMAS - card 1
4. Crafting By Designs - December challenge - HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS - card 1
5. Come and Get It - December 18th challenge - CHRISTMAS - card 2
6. Crafting when we can - challenge No. 134 - CHRISTMAS - card 2
7. Dragonfly Dreams - 4th December challenge - CHRISTMAS - card 2
8. Creative Inspirations - challenge No. 264 - WHITE CHRISTMAS - card 2
9. Cards in Envy - December 19th challenge - CELEBRATE THE SEASON - card 3
10. Pile It On - challenge No. 123 - CHRISTMAS - card 3
11. Holly Jolly Christmas - challenge No. 86 - Pt 2 - CHRISTMAS CARD/ANYTHING BUT A CARD - card 
12. Inky Chicks - challenge No. 76 - CHRISTMAS IN TRADITIONAL COLOURS- card 3

Whilst there are quite a few challenges listed above I've tried to ensure that neither of my cards is entered more times than allowed by a particular challenge.

Now, what is one of the staples we all associate with Christmas these days? A James Bond movie, right? So, this seasonal Friday Funny is kind of topical if slightly risque - I snagged it on facebook!

Didn't like that one? How about this one then?

Have a great weekend and MERRY CHRISTMAS

Welcome to WOYWW

Morning all,

Hope your run up to Christmas is coming along well, hubby and I have been out several times of late, enjoying festive fare with friends - I LOVE this time of year - even if my clothes don't! Just yesterday I was at a festive lunch with a pal .. should have been with both of my two oldest friends whoI've known them since before I started school - yes, THAT LONG! Sadly, the dad of one of them was taken in to hospital so then there were two - we caught up like there were three of us though. We went to the preposterously named Willy Wicket!!! I  have no idea why it's called that but ... we had a lovely time and the grub was good too! We've reached a point in our lives when there isn't much we actually want or need so decided against exchanging full sized presents (IYKWIM) so a Secret Santa to a pre agreed (small) cost was decided upon instead - perfect. I took one gift, wrapped, and two cards and came home with a different gift and card! Fair exchange!

I recently acquired a simply splendid set of stamps from Habico, containing the fabulous vintage Santa which I had my eye on for yonks ... also in the set was a religious image. I got caught out a short while ago by being asked to make some religious themed cards by two sisters ... couldn't present them both with batches of the same cards so .. I figured this image might come in handy in future. So, suffice it to say that, whilst I don't need any more cards for 2016, I will be putting this one toward my quota for 2017!

My card

The inside of my card and reverse of my envelope

Materials used:

• White C6/A2, 250 gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to 10 x 14.2cm and 9½ x 13.7cm
• Gold card for matting with a 1.6mm border
• Habico image stamped using Memento tuxedo black ... I deployed my MISTI to ensure a good dense image of the camels, by stamping several times - it is SO HANDY for that
• Alcohol markers and Kaisercraft glitter gel pens to colour
• Inkadinkado sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink

I'll be entering the above for the following challenges:-

1. Come and get it - Christmas challenge - CHRISTMAS
2. Crafting When We Can - challenge No. 134 - CHRISTMAS
3. Pile It On - challenge No. 123 - ANY HOLIDAY OR CELEBRATION
4. Holly Jolly Christmas - challenge No. 86 - Part 2 - CHRISTMAS CARDS/ANYTHING BUT A CARD

And now, since it's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday and the last before Christmas, here's a sneaky peek at my desk. I'll be submitting this for WOYWW #394, where it will be entry #8

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND

A HAPPY NEW YEAR