This afternoon I've been making a few new filler ATCs to add to my Journal Your Christmas spinner...
Some Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses....
SEI Wintersong sparkly bits...
A touch of vintage KI....
Some new Echo Park mixed in with Crate Paper Snow Days.
More Crate...
And more Crate...
Oh and er... more Crate...
No creating tomorrow as I'm off shopping with Ma and hoping to hit John Lewis for some some new Christmas additions, plus could do with visiting Lakeland.
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I managed to meet up with a very special friend today for a catch-up, ruminations on life, a few giggles, and of course my first seasonal Starbucks from the Christmas menu. I went for a Peppermint Mocha (the most coffee I will ever manage in one cup) even a latte is too strong for me but this certainly hit the spot - and of course it was accompanied by some fruit toast....
I also spotted this year's Starbucks Christmas CD, but will have to look at it more closely another time to determine whether it's one for the list or not.
We had a good flick through my new addition to the cook book library:
I may just try one of these recipes for the next crop... who knows, but it won't be one that calls for 8 egg yolks! LOL
We also ventured into TK Maxx - it would have been rude not to, and given the sheer amount of AC 12x12 album kits including a lovely Dear Lizzy one... I am amazed we walked out minus a kit... Will have to see if they get any other Dear Lizzy ones in in the range I really liked.
On the scrapping front... something has come out of its box ready to be added to...
And speaking of Christmas... take a look at the Christmas cactus I am currently plant-sitting...
Right, I suppose I'd best see about ordering Pink Martini's Christmas album... wonder if it's up for download on iTunes yet? I noticed there was a new Pink Martini track on the Starbucks album so... am rather hoping it will be on their new Joy to the World album.
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I don't know what it was about this weekend, but both yesterday and today I was wide awake before 6 a.m. {sigh}
So yet again today I started my day by filling the dark hours with a new book.
And well, the book I ready today (Mystique by Amanda Quick) was such an enjoyable read I had to read it cover to cover.
This meant I didn't really get out of the house until 1 p.m. to get in the ingredients for this evening's dessert at my mum and dad's.
I need to pick my brother up (typically I am the designated driver) in 15 mins or so, so better make this quick...
Anyway, I made Black Forest cupcakes from "Baking Magic"... behold the wonder of the chocolate cupcakes:
I used those cute little cupcake cases from IKEA. They are truly fantastic and aren't all greasy after baking like the Dr Oetker ones I bought are.
If I make these again I need to use a less sweet Black Cherry jam/filling. This was the only option in Tesco's (I usually love Bonne Maman but need a more tart jam for these cupcakes).
I filled the insides with a Bismarck nozzle and spread a little jam on top - the full cherries played havoc with the Bismarck filling and I had a few explosions, but nothing major! LOL
Then I whipped up some cream, piped it on (I still totally struggle with consistent estimates of how much is needed so all 12 cupcakes are sufficiently covered), grated some dark chocolate on (the recipe called for 60 g of dark chocolate, I just grated as I saw fit), and a nice uncoloured glacé cherry to finish - I had hoped for some Kirsch-soaked cherries to be available, but no...
And here they all are ready to go pre-transportation... I am going to need to go a route that doesn't involve any level crossings or many roundabouts... which will be a struggle as there are at least 3 on my brother's estate that I'll have to negotiate!
Well, we'll just have to see what state they arrive in at my mum and dad's. Looking forward to a nice lamb roast, but after making these I am not feeling all that peckish for cake. I think baking could be a sure fire way to going off cake once you've made it! LOL
Hm, I hope this could prove true! hehe
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Thought I would just post some recent makes - for the UKS monthly card challenge, which this month is focusing on label love! :o)
First up a nice festive number (trying to get some of that Jovial stash used!).
Papers: Basic Grey
Label and border sticker: Basic Grey
Stamp: Waltzing Mouse
Other: Twine, Stickles, 3D foam, Distress Ink
Then I needed a break from Christmas stuff (oddly was not in the mood today... shock horror!)
Papers: Cosmo Cricket
Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket
Die: Nestabilities
Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Waltzing Mouse
Other: 3D foam, Stickles
And finally, a little boy birthday card as I never really make any of these!
Paper: MME
Stamps: My Cute Stamps, Papertrey Ink
Dies: Nestabilities, Papertrey Ink
Brads: Basic Grey
Felt: Papertrey Ink
Other: 3D foam, Distress ink, Copics
There we have it...
I also started and finished this today:
Not bad, definitely better than the more recent Black Cobra series - ugh... those I find rather annoying, as you really have to suspend belief more than any other fictional tale of this period. Plus the baddies are true caricatures... {sigh}
Anyway, I'd best go get my tea in the oven!
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Because it's time for another dare on the DCM blog! And as it's the first Friday of the month, this week's dare is all about November's birthstone. The Topaz.
Now, I thought that Topaz stones primarily came in blue - not so!
So I set out to try and use some of the more yellow/red/orange shades in my card.
Papers: Crate Paper
Chipboard: Crate Paper
Die: Papertrey Ink
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Roll on the weekend!
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And it wasn't that bad after all, in fact I had to stay up late to finish it. Phew!
Not sure what's next on the list of things to read. It has been a very busy week at work and I've mostly been unwinding on an evening. So busy in fact that I nodded off under the slanket at some ridiculously early hour.... {blush}
Anyway, I'm hoping the weekend will be a good time to restore the batteries!
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...that I finished my Christmas Journal foundations on Saturday eh?
Because Shimelle's post today reminded me that in one month's time we'll be getting our first entries made!
Yes, I even allocated the dates with post-it notes as it was getting too confusing trying to work out what was what!
Now I'll just need to take a camera everywhere I go come December/beginning of January and will have to get my photos printed at Boots or it's possible the shop at the end of my street does instant photo processing... v. cool if that's the case!
But with the journal ready to fill and decorate the hard work should be done, right? ;o)
Ok, I am definitely off to sort that card box now....
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The box I use to "temporarily" store the cards I've made overfloweth... This is where my cards are supposed to go before they get allocated a lovely little envelop and popped into a bag...
Hm, there is obviously some problem with this system - in that it is totally not working.
But tonight, I have nothing else pressing to do, so will put the telly on and get this little pile sorted and get a basket ready to try and sell some of these for Children in Need at the reception desk at work.
Fingers crossed!
Also I have finally properly fall in love with Laws of Illusion.
Initially I wasn't all that taken, but now Lissie is going to be swapped out from my CD player in the car and replaced with Sarah. No doubt the Pink Martini Christmas album will be my December looped CD of choice... :o)
Mind you, I cannot stop playing this at the moment either! Talk about contrasts...
And on that note, I am off to start sorting... well, maybe in a bit... It'll give me something to do while Spooks is on (blimey looks like it might be gripping tonight eh?)
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But I was most definitely in a Christmas card making mood today.
Or really, Christmas cards were the perfect excuse for trying out some of my Waltzing Mouse stamps!
Paper: SEI Winterland
Stamps: Waltzing Mouse
Die: Nestabilities
Pearls: Prima
Other: Satin ribbon, Stickles and Distress Stickles
While making this card I was rooting about in my ink drawer and ink cube box looking for the perfect inks... well I made a rather serendipitous discovery. A Versa Color ink cube I have had for 7+ years and never used provided the perfect ageing to the white label. It's 181 Vanilla - although a pigment ink (which doesn't dry straight away) it does add that nice slightly distressed look and is quite similar to those Papertrey Ink Chai tea ageing pads.
Anyway, I rather love that SEI paper, the snowy ground is all glitter and it just looks very lush in person.
Papers: Basic Grey
Stamp: Waltzing Mouse
Rub-ons: Basic Grey
Die: Stampin' Up
Other: Satin ribbon, Stickles
This card looks much better in real life than it photographs, especially that burgundy/maroon ribbon. Nevertheless, the perfect way to use up a sheet of those BG Eskimo Kisses rub-ons. I swear I spent the best part of an hour trying to get the blessed things to actually rub onto the die cut. Grrrrr....
Finally, here's the card I made for the current Ribbon Girl red and green colour challenge... nothing like leaving it to the last minute! LOL
Papers: Echo Park
Ribbons: The Ribbon Girl
Die: Nestabilities
Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Waltzing Mouse
The wide pencil stripe ribbon is actually sewn on to the card so the edge can flap about a bit. Also another ink drawer find, my rediscovery of my KI ink pads (they were one of my most disappointing KI purchases ever). I have found they stamp beautifully on this SU white cardstock. And again the Vanilla Versa Color ink pad came in to just tone the WHITE white down.
Right, I think after all that festive creativity, I shall be delving into my little Philosophy Bake shop for some bath time treats tonight...
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Hi and welcome to the next stop on this month's Banana Frog blog hop!
If you've not joined me via the hop, then welcome along - the theme this month is all things Autumn.
And I could not resist teaming up my favourite autumnal paper collection with some of my favourite Banana Frog stamps!
Stamps: Banana Frog - Sentimental Style and Hiya Chick; Waltzing Mouse (die border stamp)
Papers: Cosmo Cricket (Nutmeg collection)
Dies: Nestabilities, Papertrey Ink
Felt: Papertrey Ink
Twine: The Ribbon Girl
Brad: Lasting Impressions
Other: Copics, Distressed Stickles, Distress ink, 3D foam
Although this card is quite small and makes a nice little notelet, it packs in quite a lot of texture with the crumpled edges, twine and felt embellishments.
I just love the little bird houses - they're perfect for any season!
Now, remember to check out the Frog Blog for the full list of blog hoppers and make your way to Audrey's blog to see what project she's sharing. :o)
Happy Hopping!
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So, instead of making stuff this week... and when not reading, I did manage to pick up a few things of a retail therapy nature.
My yummy new Winter fragrances arrived. Of the three North Pole is my favourite - it's vanilla frosting mixed in with a spearminty smell. Like Jack Frost meets Christmas Cookie. Most tempting and one I am probably going to be using a lot.
Winter Wonderland is quite similar to my all time favourite Christmas Yankee Candle fragrance. Winterland. A combination of icy mint and pine trees - Not as lovely as Winterland but a decent substitute since they discontinued it.
Mistletoe and Fig - also nice, a bit of spicy fruit and fresh evergreen. Will be interesting to see how this smells when burning.... Once we're into November I think I can start burning these, especially since it will be Christmas card production time and I can stick my festive tunes and festive fragrances on to get me in the mood. :o)
Speaking of Festive, I went into that dangerous shop again. TK-ooops-I've-spent-another-ten-quid-Maxx. Yes, it pays to check out that store regularly, I managed to get some of that sticky stuff remover (gunked up hole punches and pricking tools - not good) and checked out the Christmas section to see if any more Polish or German glass baubles had appeared. Well these were the nicest of the bunch and definitely fit my colour scheme. Will give a few to my mum and then I can swap in some nice unique ones from this year's John Lewis Christmas decoration trip!
Next up, this came in at the library for me. Now, I loved the first three shopaholic books, and have liked the ones that followed... but this one has had pretty meh reviews from even die-hard fans of the series. I know it will be a quick read, but not sure I want to spend weekend time reading it.... hm... we shall see!
Today went into Debenhams with my mum as she was after some more Bad Gal Lash Plum mascara (our favourite Benefit Mascara) and I was after some non-Black Mascara so went for the brown one for a change.
Anyway, that meant that the Christmas catalogue was neatly dropped into my bag and well... the temptation for yet more Benefit could be too much.
I mean, does it look like I need any more Benefit stuff to add to my little tower?
No, I think the answer is a definite "NO".
So that catalogue will have to disappear very soon.
I did at least get a nice top from Mantaray (it's the fabric behind the Benefit catalogue).
Oh and the other retail therapy is also creative therapy...
All Glittery Andrea's fault really... but I am looking forward to using these on some new cards. :o)
And that's it, from tomorrow no more spending!
For a little while.
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Well, it has been one of those week's where not much has been happening on the creative front.
Where has the time been going?
However, I have finished a book (phew the TBR pile is coming down a bit) and did share some card projects.
This week's DCM dare is my own - Trick or Treat - where you can create a Halloween card or use Halloween colours for a different theme.
I went with the Halloween theme as I only really get to send one Halloween card to a family that I know certainly celebrates the day!
Paper: KI Memories
Embellishment: Making Memories
Ribbon and twine: The Ribbon Girl
Glitter letter stickers: KI Memories
Dies: Nestabilities, Papertrey Ink
Felt: Papertrey Ink
Buttons: Basic Grey
Other: 3D foam, Distress ink, Goggly eyes
Must say I am pleasantly surprised with how it came out and I hope the recipients have experience some ghoulish glee opening the envelope!
Also this week, it was my turn to share a project of the day on the Frog blog.
Here's the rustic Christmas card I made:
Paper: KI Memories, Making Memories
Stamps: Banana Frog (Christmas Elegance, It's Christmas Deer)
Inks: Versafine
Dies: Nestabilities
Other: Twine, button, 3D foam, black pen
I've now just got one more non-Christmas-related card to make and then it will be Christmas crafting all the way for a bit... I have no idea how many Christmas cards I have to hand so far, but I suspect NOT ENOUGH will be the answer...
I have a couple of yummy new things on the way to help me out though. ;o)
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I've spent some of today and this evening trying to make progress on getting my Christmas journal ready.
Well... I may have to rethink the whole Paperchase binder idea:
I was originally going to have one entry per side, but it was looking quite cramped to then fit a photo, date, and journal strip in, so decided since I had cut enough pages I could make it a double page entry for each day instead.
Well, that was fine in theory, even if the pages would be random in style within each double-page bit...
However, I've got as far as day 15 and the ring binder bit is getting too tight for the pages.
I may have to get some book rings and purchase some chipboard or sturdy plastic to create new covers, either way it is going to be a standing album!
Hopefully it will all turn out OK in the end, just the album pages start off really random and then become less random as we go on. Oops!
I am sure a mix and match of the final touches will sort that out and bring it all together though.
Fingers crossed!
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This is the theme of this week's dare over on the DCM blog and when it came to making my card, I discovered a bit of a lack of foliage in my stamp collection. Or let me rephrase that. I just couldn't find the right leaf stamp to suit my purpose.
But then, it came to me when I glanced over at my desk calendar:
I could use my classic Out on a Limb stamp set from Papertrey and try and try out the new Toffee Versafine ink pad I bought (I had thought it was a light brown but it is much more of an ochre) that would finally have a seasonal purpose.
And here we have it, leaves falling from an autumnal branch twinned of course with that very autumnal Nutmeg paper line from Cosmo Cricket!
Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Inks: Versafine, Colorbox, Ranger Distress ink pads
Other: Satin ribbon, 3D foam
I rather like how it turned out against that background paper. :o)
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That's what I'm planning on doing tonight once I've had my tea, and stuck the fire on...
But I am feeling inspired and in a bit of a creative mood to just get on and make stuff this weekend....
One item has already been made... and it was inspired in part by this:
And the other stuff I am itching to get on with is building the basis of my Christmas journal ready for photos and further embellishment. Because I'm combining the old:
(including finally cutting into that gorgeous AC glaze-embossed snowflake paper)
With the new:
So much yummy Christmas stash to choose from, there might not be enough days in December to do it justice. But then, I do still need to finish off my ATC spinner as there are some blank spacer cards still to fill up. :o)
And don't you go thinking I've forgotten that it's October - and not yet Christmas, I haven't! I've actually got a Halloween card to make this weekend so that'll make a change from the festive fayre.
Right, off to see how my jacket potato is doing and get the fire going.
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I just got an e-mail through letting me know that Pink Martini are releasing their first Holiday album! Yaaaaay! I have been dying for them to do a festive collection since before their wonderful version of "Do you hear what I hear?" appeared on this Starbuck's CD:
It will fit perfectly in my yuletide playlist alongside favourite CDs:
And...
I wonder what other new Christmas offerings will be available on iTunes this year?
Any recommendations?
Roll on November 12th is all I can say!
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So today I've been at IKEA and the Metro Centre all day with my mum - we left IKEA with the usual restocks: new serviettes, new tea lights, new candle holders, and a lovely white basket for my mulberry roses (yes they needed their own basket!), but none of the other vital items on our lists. Wasn't that rocked by this year's Christmas stuff, much of it seemed to be last year's rolls now sold as separate ones and there wasn't that much of the kraft wrapping left this year.
But I do love my new tea light holders for my mantelpiece:
Red, purple and pink - perfect for my front room.
I also have a new long winter cardi from M&S, a dress from Mantaray that I think will work OK as a tunic top and another nice top to wear under my long cardi.
But no Christmas stuff purchased apart from the nice little Yankee Candle classic Christmas fragrances set my mum bought... and the gingerbread tea lights in Ikea.
So, here's the Christmas fix from the cards I made yesterday:
Papers: Basic Grey
Chipboard and stickers: Basic Grey
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Buttons: Making Memories
Twine: Papertrey Ink
Felt: Papertrey Ink
Die: Papertrey Ink
I just love this new line from Basic Grey - the snowmen completely crack me up.
And for something completely different:
Papers: Echo Park
Stickers: Echo Park
Ribbon: The Ribbon Girl
Die: Papertrey Ink
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
I used some of that lovely wide pencil stripe ribbon from The Ribbon Girl for this one, definitely time to be decadent and have a huuuuge bow!
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Life was a bit hectic towards the end of this week, so I was late making my card for this week's DCM dare, which has a bit of a dance theme...
But here's the card I made today using some yummy "new" stash:
Paper: Cosmo Cricket Togetherness, Bo Bunny
Stamps: My Cute Stamps, Papertrey Ink
Dies: Nestabilities
Twill: The Ribbon Girl
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Punch: Martha Stewart
Pearls: Kaisercraft
Other: Copic pens, Stickles, 3D foam
I just love my new Butterfly punch (a fab birthday present from Angela) and those mulberry flowers have finally been put to some use. :o) I'll need to get some handy plastic containers in Ikea to store them all by colour I think.
I'm not usually one for yellow, but I rather like it in this combo. :o)
Right, I think I'm off for a little sort out.
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This week's baking project came a little early... It wasn't all that long since my batch of Anzac biscuits and serious mocha cupcakes...
But since it was our monthly crop last night, I thought it only right to come armed with some sweet stuff!
So I made butterscotch and chocolate chunk cookies that looked nothing like the picture but tasted yummy - like diam bars in biscuit form:
I know where I went wrong in failing to achieve the look from the book - will let the butterscotch cool down more next time.
And I also tried the ever so easy lemon cupcake recipe and I must say... they tasted rather wonderful and very lemony which I like!
The piping skills still leave a lot to be desired - I think my astigmatism is to cupcake icing as it is to clagging paper down straight on cards and layouts. Not perfect!
But behold the buttercream mountain:
You can only just make out the ivory tint to the icing and the bubblegum rainbow sparkle dust (which would make for a very nice shade of embossing powder!).
And thankfully all cookies and cupcakes have now been eaten and I no longer have anything in the house to tempt me. Hurrah! :D
Well, that is until the next crop. :o)
Oh and as for actual scrapping, I managed to get a few more pages prepped for my December/Christmas journal so am in a bit of a festive stash mood again... I wonder if it's time for some new Christmas cards. <g>
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I have a Lilypad Lesson over on the Frog blog showing how to make cupcake wrappers à la....
Check it out if you're so inclined... ;o)
The Apprentice tonight and I have a few things I want to tick off my to-do list once I've had my tea. Oh and Nikita tomorrow night on Living, I really liked the season opener so hope this series will get a full season as it only started in the US in September.
Also it is not a good time for the battery to die in your kitchen scale when you are midway through weighing stuff ready for a recipe! {sigh}
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Now that all cupcakes are out of the house I can concentrate on other pretty things around the house. ;o)
Finally some nice late afternoon light around to get some snaps of the new leafy additions... mind you my lovely little spindle tree is not going to be leafy for much longer!
It's currently a bit lost in the montbretia and rather difficult to photograph without basically laying down on the decking!
But as soon as I spotted it, knew I had to have it one way or another in the garden, I mean look at the colour of these leaves...
A garden, no matter how small, needs some Autumnal interest, no?
Also for outside some violas or pansies, don't know which - they're small but pretty...
And another autumnal sight is my blueberry bush, its leaves are starting to go a little red here and there. :o)
Inside there are some new additions to the conservatory.
Two stonking great begonias.
Difficult to resist this colour eh?
I wonder how pink these will turn out..
The other great thing about garden centres is that they are just a treasure trove for Christmas decorations - and as a result the first new additions to the Christmas tree have been purchased:
Although not sparrows, i think I'll call them Peter and Paul:
Paul has a rather cute spotty botty...
But for now, they'll be living with the Christmas candles - in the Candle cupboard, which smells divine btw.
Right, off to get a few tasks off my to-do list and catch up with Sunday's Downton Abbey recording.
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Something which, I am not.
It is strange I know. I don't drink coffee, because I don't like the taste of coffee.
But I love the smell of freshly ground or brewing coffee, and I really like coffee flavour... hm.
It's tough to explain, but anyway... since I rather like coffee cake. And I like chocolate... the first cupcake recipe I've tried is one that combines those two magic ingredients.
"Mocha cupcakes for grown-ups"
And a first attempt with the disposable icing bag set-up - definitely need a much larger star nozzle so will have to add that to the list of things I'll be needing for definite.
The recipe also called for chocolate-coated coffee beans as an optional extra... Well, coffee beans are not for me!
So instead...
I put a giant Cadbury's button inside the mix before baking, for a little extra chocolate...
And the result is rather good. Not sickly at all with the bitter coffee and dark chocolate mix and one is definitely enough to keep you satisfied for a bit. :o)
Anyway, no baking for a bit now, as there's enough made to stock the biscuit tin for a while and it's time to get back to some playing with paper stash.
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So, Friday I went on a little shopping spree for the essentials that needed to be added to my kitchen cupboards in order to try a few recipes from my Baking Magic book...
TK Maxx turned out to be a very useful place indeed. Especially if looking for cookie cutters. I bought a great deep set of cutters for scones, a set of stars, some hearts and...
Something seasonal to try!
Also went to Big Tesco, and they had a 3 for 2 on their vintage cupcake kitchen line:
So I got a couple of canisters for sugar, etc.
And a new workspace saver for rolling on, my Joseph Joseph glass workspace saver that I love isn't a smooth glass finish, but this one is just right for cutting biscuits on and kneading dough.
And the first recipe to be tried last night?
Anzac biscuits!
I am finding the fan oven still difficult to judge - have always used a gas oven and just cannot get used to the tweaks I need to make when assessing oven temperature and timings for recipes.
Usually its 10 degrees lower than what is called for in the recipe (190 degrees in this case), but the instructions for the oven say to bake biscuits at 160 to 170 degrees...
I think I will need to try 160 next time as the biscuits browned too quickly, a few very dark edges as you can see. Also next time I will make them less chunky and mush them down a bit more...
But all that aside, they taste very, very good!
Now off to try the next recipe which calls for some piping...
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Today's dare over on the DCM blog is to use items you might find in an office on your card.
Well I needed no excuse to get cutting into that fab sheet of "telephone" paper in the alphabet soup collection from MME:
Papers: MME
Dies: Nestabilities, Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ribbon: The Ribbon Girl
Pearls: Prima
I really think I need a full reel of that pink twill - it is totally divine and a yard is never enough!
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So my bedtime read last night was this:
Ok, well maybe there wasn't as much reading done as drooling while flicking through pages.
But what am I still most wanting to try?
Why, the Battenburg style cupcakes that made me buy the book... however I think that's a bit too advanced as my first foray into trying the recipes on offer...
I'm much more likely to go with:
Need I say more??
Hm...
Also non-edible pretties I hope to be playing with soon...
All in search of the elusive perfect cream white mulberry rose... But I really couldn't resist the lilac cherry blossom pack:
And the pale pink roses, gorgeous:
So there we go, am out shopping for real flowers Saturday (bulbs) but with any luck will have time to play with the new stuff. :o)
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I picked up this fab book in Sainsbury's today for just £4.99 (cheaper than amazon at the mo).
Baking Magic certainly looks to live up to the title and it is packed full with recipes, not loads of life story blah blah blah writing that hides the main recipe event. And is really friendly for the novice baker who hasn't any gadgets or mechanical robotic assistance in the kitchen - namely me! I don't yet have any essentials but I've read the intro and found it so informative and down to earth on what you really need to get the right results (i.e. not a lot as it happens).
While out at dinner tonight with a friend we flicked through it and ooohed and ahhhed over so many of the recipes and photos, including homemade chocolate bourbons and even chocolate digestives!
There are cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits and even some yummy looking savoury treats.
Once I am equipped with a few essentials I will be trying something out - for the fun decorative bits and pieces I think I am going to need some recs for online sugarcraft suppliers (gel food colouring, edible glitter, cute muffin/cupcake cases, cute colours of sprinkles), a place I can get unwaxed lemons???
I am back on SW (well with a slight exception for part of tonight's meal) but I think it would be nice to make something fun now and again and share the joy so I don't scoff it all on my own! hehe
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Not in this weather!
Since it has been raining and cold.... much nicer to be indoors at my desk making something.
And since it was time for a non-Christmas card, I made something with my new Walk in the Park paper kit:
Paper: Echo Park
Stickers: Echo Park
Twine: The Ribbon Girl
Brads: Lasting Impressions
Other: Stickles
I Stickled the flowers and letters for a little extra pop, but must say I rather love that blue background paper - very pretty!
Also had an excuse to open up my nice roll of Paperchase gift wrap the other day:
I bought it in the sale as that's the only kind of Paperchase wrapping paper shopping I manage to do these days... and nicely finished off with some purple twine from a Polish Lidl, I still have raspberry pink and baby pink to open in that set, but it's rather nice stuff.
Right, back to my book - by the fire I think. :o)
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Especially if it's that lovely Echo Park paper line....
Today it was my turn to post the Project of the Day over on the Frog Blog. And since this line from Echo Park uses a certain font also available in stamp form from Banana Frog well, it seemed rude not to use the two together. ;o)
Stamps: Banana Frog - De Louisville
Paper: Echo Park
Journaling card: Echo Park
Other: 3D glitter glue
That stripy paper is especially lovely, and the colour combo is lush. So I replicated it in my stamped greeting - thankfully had almost all of the right shades in my stash - and hey presto! A great way to use up a journaling card, play with my fave font, and rummage through my ink stash!
Plus I seem to have overcome a few issues I had with my sewing machine of late - operator error now resolved. :oD So basically everything is getting sewn onto these days. hehe
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Eeek... I had to put the heating on today... it was such a cold start to the day that I had to abandon my plan to not use the heating until October 1st... I was doing very well until this weekend. hehe
But when it heated up nicely indoors I got down to a few projects including a card to share today - yep, Christmas central at the moment...
From the new stash, Crate Snow Day got opened and here's what I made...
Paper: Crate
Die: Papertrey Ink
Die-cut: Crate
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Button: Making Memories
Off for Sunday dinner soon, and I have a few bits and pieces to do, so alas playtime is over for now.
Until tomorrow!
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...has been required today to nicely sort packs of papers in my stash cupboard in order to make room in my "go to" Artbin box for the new yummy stash that arrived this week.
I was unpacking from last night's crop and just realised it was time to sit and sort rather than find a temporary solution.
So that led me to tackling my scraps dish à la this but a much bigger pile of things!
Which was a real mess and promptly had a lot of bits and pieces binned as I wasn't going to use them on anything any time soon. But I did find a nice kraft paper butterfly I'd cut out some time ago...
And I couldn't find a home for some left-over bits of the one sheet of Cosmo's Delovely papers that I bought....
So I made a card!
Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Making Memories
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Dies: Cuttlebug, Papertrey Ink
Bling: Kaiser
So that's that - some scraps used up, but I still have half a sheet of this Delovely paper left to use somewhere! {sigh} It certainly goes a long way this one...
Tomorrow I'm thinking it'll be a Christmas card day. ;o)
Also I get to play with my lovely new ribbons and things from The Ribbon Girl. Yummy stuff indeed.
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This week's dare over on the DCM blog is all about forgetting... birthdays, special events, you name it - you want to say you're sorry, make a card!
Here's mine using some new stash bits. :oD
Paper: MME
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Dies: Papertrey Ink
Pearls and bling: Prima
Other: Satin ribbon, 3D foam pads
The paper is from that new MME Alphabet Soup purchase. And well, you know the rest!
Also, could this be the least I've lugged to a crop in recent times?
I kind of feel the need to unpack it and play... hm.
Or maybe not!
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