Happy Christmas

Hi Everyone

So this year i have been very un-organised, with presents, the turkey (not ordered one and its too late) and Christmas Cards.  So I have only made a few and in one design.

I've used matt black card for the base and matted with Kraft card.  Using watercolour card I've cut a Snowflake die, bought this on my trip to Slovenia at the Rayher shop and i love it, its by a Slovenian designer and i picked up other ones too.  Then after cutting I've embossed with the Vintage Christmas folder but you can use any snowflake folder.  The reason i love A4 folders is i can emboss large areas in one go and then cut them down, made this card so quick and easy.  Then to complete I've used a sentiment from the Greetings sentimental stamp set and added some black ribbon and a metal snowflake charm.

Happy Christmas and hope you have a fab time and good luck for 2015.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Christmas Cards

Hi Everyone

Ok so this year I decided I would make every single Christmas card that I send.  What I normally do is only make a few special ones for close family and friends and then use bought ones for the rest.  So I needed something quick and easy as I only started on Sunday afternoon.  Et voila, (I love it when Raymond Blanc says this on his cookery programmes), 5 hours later I have 25 matching Christmas cards and I have to say I love them.

I've used Crafters Companion Matte Black  card along with Crafters Companion Kraft card as the base and the main matting on the cards.  The matting and die cut piece is embossed first using an A4 snowflake embossing folder and then cut using a memory box die Grand Merry Christmas.  The folder is no longer available but they will be back next year ad there are lots of other snowflake folders out there.  I have to say using an A4 folder was a complete easy peasy way to batch make cards as it was less passes through my ebosser.  To complete I have added a die cut and stamped penguin, using Poppy stamp Arctic penguin and matching die set, coloured with my Spectrum Noir Markers and then the last thing is a wooden heart button I bought at the NEC.  I coloured the ones on the kraft background in black and they look fab but the photograph hasn't come out very clear.

Colours used, DR4, GB6 and CR3

Hope you like them

Louise xx

Crafters Comapnion Challenge Blog - Winter/Christmas

Hi Everyone

There have been a few gremlins in the works on the Crafters Companion Challenge blog and last months posts or entries etc disappeared.  I believe that most issues have been ironed out for this months post but you may need to add links to the comments section rather than linking it as normal.  I'm sure it will be back to normal soon.  Also Octobers will be posted again next week.

So, how can it be nearly Christmas again?

This time i have made a fold back card using a Mulberry wood image.  The base is made from Kraft card and matted with plain white neenah.  Then using a brand new Diesire Elegance die i have cut two out in red coredinations.  I've mounted the Mulberry wood image sent with love that I've coloured with Spectrum Noir pens , using the square die that comes in the same back and distressed the edges with fired brick distress ink.  (I coloured this image quite a while ago and didn't keep a note of the colours sorry)  The sentiment is using the Jingle Bells sentimental stamp set and then I've found some red matching paper in my stash.  Then I've just added to sprigs if ivy using the smaller of the two ivy dies and finished with a small red ribbon bow.

Hope you like it and please pop over to the blog and take part to win a fabby prize.

Louise xx

Happy Christmas Everyone

Hi Everyone

Well i just wanted to say thanks to everyone that has viewed, commented and followed my blog in the last year and a half or so.  I love making cards and sharing them with you.  Even though i don't seem to get as much time to take part these days.  So this last one before Christmas is for the Spectrum Noir blog challenge, Winter Blues.  Theres still time for you to take part so pop along and enter to win a fabby prize.

I've coloured this beautiful LOTV image with my Spectrum Noirs and matted onto Bo Buny card stock that Margaret and i found in Holland.  I've been waiting to use it since i got back and thise was the perfect time.    The eaxact card is Snowfall stripe and Snowfall wintertime. I've used a marriane die Christmas Leaves, snowflake dies and my Scalloped Tag for the sentiment which is just printed from my pc.  Then added some extra sparkle with glamour dust.

Hope you like it and that you all have a fabulous Christmas and Happy New Year.

Louise xx

A time of Giving

Hi Everyone

A quick card to share with you today from the Christmas in Mulberry Wood Set pf 6 stamps.  These sold out in four live shows last week and Sara is back on the TV today with the Snowman which looks as though it will sell out too, so don't miss out!

So if you managed to purchase the mulberry wood stamps and cd i hope you are loving them as much as i have.  This card is coloured with my spectrum noir pens and the backing paper is from the CD Rom.  All of the colours i have used are listed on the spectrum noir blog if you would like to use the same colours.  There are also some more fab cards and tutorials from the rest of the DT and a new post goes up everyday so keep checking back for inspiration. and ideas.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Christmas in Mulberry Wood

Hi Everyone

Well i have been waiting for today to come around so i can share with you these new cute characters, it's Christmas in Mulberry wood and you are going to love them as much as we do.

As many of you know, Christmas starts in June for many papercrafters, so Crafter's Companion are starting to feel a little festive, launching the first of a new range, with artwork designed by artist Ian Hallows. The ‘Christmas in Mulberry Wood’ range (including six stamps, co-ordinating CD-ROM and two papercrafting collections by Hunkydory) will be Pick of the Week on Create & Craft from Midday on Friday!

To celebrate the launch, Crafter's Companion have organised a Blog Hop around some of the Design Team's blogs! If you have landed here from Ali's blog then you are hopping in the right direction. If not then you need to pop over to the Crafter’s Companion News Blog to begin.

Everyone on the Design Team had so much fun creating with this new range from Crafter’s Companion and to celebrate the launch of these stunning new collections on Friday 29th June you have the chance to win the brand new 'Christmas in Mulberry Wood' CD-ROM.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning this great prize is visit each blog in order and then go back to the Crafter’s Companion News Views and Inspiration Blog to leave a comment about the range and the sneak peeks you’ve seen. On Friday June 29th, Crafter's Companion will pick two comments at random, to win the prize.

So here is my first card and i just love this image.  I've coloured with spectrum noirs and used backing papers and a sentiment from the fab CD ROM.  Another exciting new feature on this cd rom is the epiphany section.  On here images from the artwork have been made smaller to perfectly fit your epiphany tools and match in with your images, whether they are stamped or from the cd.  

From here, you need to hop to Beth's blog.

Keep popping back each day this week to see more sneak peeks!

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

More Quick Christmas Cards

Hi Everyone

Well i said the other day that i had made 20 Christmas cards in one afternoon so i am ready to share the rest with you.  Did you watch Nigel, Sara and Leann on Tues/Weds, i did and the DT did a fabulous job of all the stamped, CD and HD cards.  So for anyone who bought the Hunkydory Kits here are some more ideas i came up with.  I have got to say again i was absolutely amazed i did 20 in one day.  I made none yesterday when i planned to do 3 or 4 but i have made 2 today.  So watch out there are some more exciting projects coming up, that we will be able to share very soon.  The very next one is Monday and we are all posting a blog hop.

Nigels Craft into Chrsitmas CD & Stamps are still available from Create and Craft if you missed out but  i cannot find the hunky dory kits that these are all made of so i hope you did get yours...............

Ok no narrative for these cards as they are all very easy, i only added a few bits and pieces here and there but you really don't need to the kits are so good to use just as they come.  Sorry if a few of the pictures are quite dark.

Hope you like them.

Louise xx

Quick and Easy Christmas Cards

Hi Everyone

Well i had a bit of a marathon crafty day yesterday as it was right down to the wire to have cards finished for Nigel's shows tomorrow night.  Hot off the press is just the perfect saying.  I made lots of cards yesterday to the detriment of my housework, but i definitely had more fun.

The following cards are made from using 2 of the kits from Nigel's shows and they are Hunky dory kits.  I made 20 in total which i was just amazed at (no pun intended) as it normally takes me all day to make 1 or two.  However the reason why i  was so quick is because these kits are just fab to work with.  All the colour matching is done, everything matches perfectly and lots of items are dire cut.  The easel cards are very quick to and are so unusual.  I just love them.  I have 6 to share with you today.

All i added was the glue, a few embellishments and a bit ribbon here and there and then sometimes i added some core or centura pearl for card bases..

Only 1 more sleep and it will be here tomorrow night.  The launch is 9pm on ideal world, so watch out as I'm sure everything will be going really fast like last time.

Hope you like them.

Louise xx

Merry Christmas

Hi Everyone

It really is strange making Christmas cards in June.  But i just had to share another quick make with you and this time I have added my gold spray and sparkle to the backing papers from the CD.  I've used a card companion from CD 2 from Nigel's craft into Christmas double cd rom. and this cd is more traditional.  I love gold and burgundy together so classic.  The ribbon is part of the card companion and i have added some glitter to the tinsel on the tree using my quickie glue pen.  Then to continue with the gold sparkle i thought i would emboss a sentiment from one of the stamp sets. Once again i tried to add lots of embellishments but they came off.  i like it the way it is and it is so traditional i really do think i will be using these as they are so quick.  i could have a production line going with me and Gracie and get through lots of these i can tell you.  Well done Nigel  i can't wait for tues.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Craft into Christmas - Nigel may

Hi Everyone

This is my second sneak peek of Nigel's new Craft into Christmas CD and stamps.  Pop over to Nigel's blog as he is sharing lots of news and details with you over the days leading up to his launch on Tuesday on Ideal World at 9pm.

My second card is a very quick card and i used the cd this time.  Its one of the toppers and as i went with all red on my first one i have chosen all blue.  I have spray and sparkled the topper and matted onto cored and silver mirri card.  I have used a sentiment from the cd too and also used one of the embellishments but have then used my round epiphany tool to make my own epoxy sticker.  I still think my camera lens looks a bit steamed up in the top left corner as the epiphany sticker looks blurred but it isn't in real life.  I know what i will be doing for my Christmas cards, printing some of these toppers and spray and sparkling them it really does look fab close up.  he backing paper is also from Nigel's cd.

Remember to take part in the competition on the Crafters Companion News blog.

Hope you like it.

Louise

Christmas in June

hi Everyone

I am very very late tonight and probably the last one of Nigel's Angels to post their first sneak peek.  I have just been so busy with upcoming products and preparation etc.  oh and i had a weekend away with Margaret Brown as we went to Jayne Nestorenkos workshop in Rugby.  She has some fab new stamps coming out soon so watch out for some peaks of these.

Today i am sharing a stamped image from a range of 12 stamps Nigel is launching with his twin cd, Craft into Christmas, on the 19th June as a Pick of the Day on ideal world.  These stamps are just so A-MAY-ZING..............

I've have chosen the little penguin and coloured him with spectrum noirs.  Then i have chosen two backing papers from the CD.  I just love tartan and when i saw it i knew it would be on my first card.  I have kept it very plain and added just a little ribbon and a bow.  I have added a bit of sparkle to his hat and scarf though.  Hope you like it and there is a competition.

For a chance to win the whole range, add the blog picture i have at the top of my right side bar, 'have an amazing Christmas with nigel' to your blog and leave a link to your blog on the crafters companion news blog and your luck may be in.  the competition closes at 9pm next tues  morning, 19th June so don't hang about.

Hope you like it.

Louise

Festive Fairy - Purple

Hi Everyone
Well the house is a lot quieter now, Gracie has gone home and on to make some more cards for the POTW in the new year.  I've just seen that Leann has posted a very little sneaky peak and i can't wait to share mine.

Ok last festive fairy and probably the last Christmas card for a while as I'll prob not start 2012's until about November.

This card was for Kevin's mam and i choose purple as we bought her a basket of flowers in pink and purple.  coloured with speccies and the stamp is LOTV.  I had been waiting to use these pearls for a special card and felt it they were perfect for this one.

Hope you like it.

Don't forget to watch out for some sneak peeks soon.

Louise xx

Festive Fairy - Green

Hi Everyone

I hope you had a fab Christmas, we did.  Grace is still here and we are making some perfume at the moment so i thought i would do a quick post.  I have two more Christmas cards to post and then they will be done until next year.  A green festive fairy and a purple one.

This one was for my other sister.  Coloured with speccies and using nit wit papers, i love green.

Gracie is now shouting its not working so i better go and rescue her.

Hope you like it .

Louise xx

Festive Fairy - Blue

Hi Everyone

Well all my plans for yesterday went out the window!!.  I was going to finish work at 4ish, do food shopping and pick turkey up, take my hubby into Durham for his Christmas night out, do my blog and then relax until i then went to pick him back up later in a drunken stupor.

What actually happened was i didn't quite get my deadlines met, left work at 6 to go and take Kevin into Durham, that took 45 mins then i went straight back to work.  Finished at 9.10, went to do food shopping and lots of shelves were empty but i got the majority.  then it was 10.30 by that time so i ate a McDonald's I didn't enjoy it and chucked half away)  in the car until 11 and then went to pick Kevin up.  Put shopping away and finally sat down to relax at 11.50.  The only thing that did go to plan was picking Kevin up in a drunken stupor.  I am so glad i can now relax and not think about work at all.

So i really have tried to keep to a blog a day, but missed yesterday.  So here is my next festive fairy from lily of the valley coloured with spectrum noir pens from Crafters Companion  Watch out for their January sales too!! For any of you out there who don't have them as yet save up some of your Christmas gift money, (if you are lucky enough to get some) and give them a go.  They are due in in the first week of Jan and they sold  3months worth of stock in a few days last time!!!!  I've stamped onto Neenah Card which is fab for all alcohol pens and i use it all of the time for fab results, i have tried other card and i find the colours bleed.

This card was for my sister who has a blue living room so i made it to match.  Not heard from her yet so i hope she liked it.

Ok i am now going to get started on the new launch  early in the new year from Crafters companion.  I will be sharing sneak peeks soon so watch out.

Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and a happy new year and i can't wait for all the exciting products that will be coming your way sooooonnnn.

Hope you like the card.

Louise xx

Festive Fairy

Hi Everyone

This is one of my Christmas cards to give to friends and this is the first time i have coloured this image.  She is just beautiful.

 This was for Audrey, who's husband just passed away and she was over the moon with it.
Coloured with speccies and Nit wit papers.

Hope you like it as much as me and Audrey.  Sometimes i really don't want to give them away.

ONLY 1 MORE DAY AT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!

Louise xx

Another decorating the tree

Hello

I must say i am really enjoying counting down to my Christmas hols and now only 2 more days,  wahoooooooo!!!!.

I'm a bit late posting tonight as i went to see my friend Audrey about her Christmas present that i have planned for her.  I mentioned her a few weeks ago when i made her a tea light card and it was really colourful.  Her husband was really ill and he passed away very peacefully 2 weeks ago and I'm so pleased i went to see him in hospital just before then. He was a lovely lovely man, was Alan Watt.  I really miss him and i can't believe he is not here.  Anyway he used to give me lots of friendly advice from time to time.  Such as do want you want to while you're still fit and one of the last bits of advice were the following words 'why worry Louise?  cos you die if you worry and you die if you don't'.  How true.  Well I'm taking Audrey his wife to London in February and we are going to really splash out.  I got a freebie from the Waldorf Astoria back in July and I'm using this to treat Audrey.  We will go to a fancy restaurant and then go and see a show as she has never been before.  I'll update you with some pics maybe when we have been and we are both like a couple of kids laughing and saying how excited we are.  I know this sounds strange but this is honestly what Alan would have wanted, for Audrey to enjoy herself as she looked after him through a tough 10 years of his illness.  I do feel really sad writing about it but i think it will help me to get it out of my head.     

Ok...... my card......

This is another LOTV card with matching box and Sarah picked them up from work today while i was in a meeting so i never saw if she liked them.  I'm sure she will and this is the last one and I'll see her in the new year to get some feedback.

Coloured with speccies and using some paper i bought from dainty toys Washington.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Feeding the Birds

 Hi Everyone

Well another day at work over and only 3 more days left and they are all jam packed so I'm sure they will fly over.  Cant wait for some time at home where i can just do what i like.

Here's another of my Christmas Cards.  I've used another LOTV as the lady they are for has a boy and a girl and she really loved how these images could be personalised for family and it represented her own to children.  She still has to pick them up so I'll know tomorrow if she likes them.

Theres a box behind and this one was for Granny so made a tag to match.  Coloured with speccies and couldn't do without my ultimate for the box, with some lovely nitwit papers.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Musical Christmas

Hi Everyone

Well today i was up at a respectable time and have done all the housework etc and now am going to concentrate on my own Christmas cards.  The one below was part of an order and i love the way it turned out. I coloured this image not knowing how the finished card was going to end up and just looked for papers afterwards. Again photo is a bit dark as it was late when i took it. 

Ok must get on with my own cards.

Hope you like.

Louise xx

Decorating the Tree

Hi Everyone
Well i had a really long lie in today and until 10.45 which i'm totally ashamed off.  However my excuse is i must have needed the sleep and i do normally get up at 6.30 during the week and 7.30 ish on a weekend.  Then just chilled for a bit, did a bit of Christmas shopping on amazon and now just finished the housework so i can post another of my Christmas cards.

I took the picture on thursday night at 11pm when i had just finished them and its a bit blurry but the close up is ok below.  The image is LOTV and coloured with speccies.  The paper is nitwits and then just a few embellishments to finish.  I've embossed a LOTV tag in silver and because i embossed pretty much straight after printing the sentiment on centura pearl the powder has also stuck to the writing which i just love. And stood behind the card is the box to match.

Aren't they so cute, i love this image.

I'm so pleased its the weekend and only 4 more days at work until my Christmas Hols.  Can't wait.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Angel Gabriel

Hi Everyone

Hope you are nice and cosy in the warm after another awful day outside.  I think the snow has lain a bit further north today but there's none here in Coxhoe as yet.  However i did have a bit of a scary moment on the A1 this morning.  All of a sudden the car felt as though it hit something and skidded all over the place so i pulled over onto the hard shoulder.  It was pitch black as only about 7.30 and i was worried in case my tyre had blown.  However at intermittent points there were other people that had stopped and the driver of the car behind me walked towards my car and said his tyre had blown and that's what we had all hit.  it was in the middle of the carriageway and obviously it couldn't be retrieved.  I can tell you its very scary stopping on the hard shoulder in the dark with lorries travelling at 60mph and you are trying to get out of your car.  My car looked ok so i set off for work again but numerous people after me were late for work as i think they must've closed a lane to make it safe.

Anyway onto today's card and a lili of the valley image just for a change.  This is part of an order for a work colleague and i was to have them ready for today, which i did, but unfortunately she didn't make it into work so i hope she still has time to post them next week.

Coloured with speccies and the patterned papers are digi downloads from printable heaven, and they come in all sorts of colours, i love them.   They are matted onto centura pearl which is the perfect match.

I'm really being lazy and not adding any links as i want to finish this post quickly have my tea, chill for a bit then i'm going to have a lovely relaxing soak.  so i'm having a night off tonight as its the weekend and i deserve it.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx