May the Magic of Christmas Fill Your Heart.....

I thought this would be a nice card to put on my Blog for over the Festive Period... it's the card that I made for my Mum.... she loves traditional red and green, and Poinsettias... so hopefully she will love this... sorry about the rubbish photo... taken with a flash in a hurry! :-)

  Image: Crafts and Me - 'Poinsettia Pixie'

Paper: Wild Rose Studio - Holly Lane

Flowers and Holly: Wild Orchid Crafts

Ivy: Marianne Design

Magic Sentiment: LOTV

and as the card says... I do hope that the Magic of Christmas fills your heart!!

Sending you... 

Love and Hugs!

The First Noel... the angels did say... was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay (all singalong)

Hello! I hope you are all doing ok. I've been trying to post this card for three days but keep finding jobs to do.

Anyway, here it is... a card that I made for my daughter's boyfriend. I've used a Sue Wilson Framed Noel Die... and some Wild Rose Studio 'Holly Lane' Papers. And some Gems to finish off.

I'm not sure I would call this card Clean and Simple because of the patterned paper? but maybe it is minimalist? I quite like how it came out anyway.

All the Christmas food arrived this morning... so we are stocked up! My daughter comes home tomorrow to spend Christmas with us and I can't wait!!! SO looking forward to spending some time with her and watching Downton etc! :-)) 

I will try and pop back with another Christmas Card... but first I need to photograph it... which is a chore when it never comes light! but at least the days are getting longer again now!! 

Just in case I don't catch up with you again.... I would like to wish you all the best for Christmas and New Year! Sending HUGE hugs to all those that need. You are all wonderful blogging buddies and I really do appreciate your visits to my blog!

Take Care

MAWTT - Hazel's Sketch

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today...  it's the turn of Team B once again at

Moving Along With the Times

our lovely boss Hazel is hosting this week and she has given us this fab

'SKETCH'

You can flip or rotate it, but we must be able to see that you have followed the sketch.
You have until 7th January to get your entries in... so plenty of time!

I've used some gorgeous Maja Papers - Vintage Frost Basics. The image and stamp are also from the pad. The Poinsettia Stamp was a freebie with magazine. I've added lots of Star Dust Stickles so the flowers twinkle.

 I've added some red nailheads for berries.

I hope you can pop over to our main site at MAWTT and see the rest of the Team's sparkly creations this week!!

You have until 7th January to get your entries in... so plenty of time!

I hope you are all nearly ready for Christmas? I'm hoping to get my tree up before weekend. Can't seem to get around to it... so just glad it's a little Fiber Optic one... I can just take it out of the box and plug it in! :-)

I'm looking forward to Downton and Call the Midwife on Christmas Day! they both look very seasonal this year! Yay!

I'd like to wish you all the very best for Christmas and New Year!
Take care and stay safe

Love and hugs

MAWTT - Christmas Climate

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today...  it's the turn of Team B once again at

Moving Along With the Times

our lovely Red is the hostess this week and she has chosen a fab theme of:

Christmas Climate

Some like it HOT and some like it COLD and sometimes we don't have a choice!  Whether your Weather is Hot or Cold over Christmas, make a card that reflects your CHRISTMAS CLIMATE!

I searched for some papers to go with this adorable image Art by Miran: Winter Sofia, and came across some Marianne Design papers that I bought last Chrismtas... or was it the year before? anyway, I was really pleased to find them as there are some knitted effect papers which were perfect for paper piecing the hat and mitten.

Image: Art by Miran: Winter Sofia

Papers: Marianne Design - Eline's Warm Winter Wishes

Sentiment: Lotv - Icy Angel Set
Gold Seam Binding, Pom Pom Trim, Twine, Wooden Snowflake: Stash

I remember in the 60's... as kids... we always had gorgeous fair isle sweaters, hats and mittens.... my mum knitted a lot back then... and she knitted really fast too... much quicker than I ever could!! Lol

Image coloured with Promarkers and Copics.
 Hat and Mitten paper pieced with Papers: Marianne Design - Eline's Warm Winter Wishes

There is a Fab Prize for this week's Winner!

Our hostess Red is a very talented artist and she is donating a prize of her wonderful Baobab Tree which you can see on her card below. The image is available to buy from DigiStamps4Joy.

I hope you can pop over to our main site at MAWTT and see the rest of the Team's sparkly creations this week!!

Can't believe another week has flown by.... I've just booked my Christmas Shopping delivery slots, as I'm trying to be organised this year. I've not done very much crafting though... as I've come down with another bout of bronchitis. Unfortunately it seems to be a regular thing now through the winter months. I've still got a few things made that I can post on my blog though, so I will hopefully keep up in Blogland! ;-)
Thanks so much for all your lovely comments, I do love reading them!

Love and hugs

Male Birthday Card

Hello, I hope you are all doing ok and enjoying the weekend. I haven't done much crafting recently as life has gotten in the way, but here is a Birthday Card that I managed to squeeze in last week. It was for a male birthday, but my mojo had gone and so was really glad when I opened my Papercraft Essentials Magazine and there was a lovely Birthday Embossing Folder. So I kinda made this card up as I went along.

 I embossed two pieces of Kraft Card and cut out the Happy Birthday panel and Parcel on one... coloured the details with Red Fineliner. Then cut out a Star and used some Authentique paper to add a bit of interest. There are a couple of  wee Red Gems to finish off, but they don't show up very well in photo. And that's it... quite a simple design but not too plain.... I love how it came out. 

It was my Mum's Birthday yesterday and she loved her Autumn Leaves Card btw... and yes it did make her smile... so I was happy! :-)

My daughter is home this weekend so think we are going to watch The Holiday later! 

Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Take Care

Love and Hugs

MAWTT - Autumn Leaves

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today...  Gosh, where did the last week go to?!!! I can't believe it's Thursday again already!  it's the turn of Team B again at

Moving Along With the Times

our lovely Hazel L is the hostess this week and she has chosen a fab theme of....

'Autumn Leaves'

It's my Mum's Birthday next week and so I thought I'd make her card for this challenge. She doesn't usually look at my blog so hopefully she won't see this before the big day! I found some wonderful David Parkin digital images in my folder that were freebie with Simply Cards and Papercraft Magazine... long time ago and sorry I couldn't find a link. I've merged some of the images together to create a little Autumn Scene... added my own sentiment. The gorgeous digital paper was also a freebie with Quick Cards magazine... they are a lovely set of papers called Falling Leaves and I've managed to find the link here. You just have to register first and then you can download them for free. Worth doing as I think they are gorgeous papers and I've used them a few times!! ;-)

Image: David Parkins - freebie with 'Simply Cards and Papercraft'

Paper: Freebie with Quick Cards Magazine - 'Falling Leaves'
Berry and Birch Pines: Live & Love Crafts

Ribbon, Button, Wooden Heart, Gem: Stash
Flower: Bo Bunny
Leaves: WOC

I've painted the wooden heart, button and gem with Metallic Gold Acrylic Paint, so that they all match. Loved colouring the image... it was so much fun!!

Image coloured with Copics and White Gel Pen (after much studying of hedgehogs, squirrels and acorns!!! Lol)

 I wanted a card to cheer my Mum up as she hasn't been feeling too good lately... I think this will make her smile! :-)

I hope you can pop over to our main site at MAWTT and see the rest of the Team's sparkly creations this week!!

Ah well, not long until weekend! I've got a few Christmas Cards to finish off and then I'm hoping to catch up with my regular TV programmes, and if I have time, watch a Christmassy Film. Not sure what yet? maybe a Classic or a Romance. I've not watched The Holiday for a while, but might save that to watch with my daughter as we both love it! :-))
Thanks for all your lovely comments, I really do appreciate them!
Take Care

Love and hugs

Happy 60th Birthday!

Hello, I hope you are all enjoying the weekend. I haven't done much crafting recently so thought I'd show you a card that my friend commissioned me to make for her Brother-in-Law's 60th Birthday which was a couple of weeks ago. I was pleased to hear that he liked the card! :-)

 I used two images from the PRE-COLOURED LOTV - Coloured Art Pad 1 - 'Vintage Boys' I also used my new wavy border die which I love.. must use it again soon!! The lovely Craftwork 'Vogue' Papers have an Art Deco feel to them which are great for male cards. 

My friend said he likes Cuban Cigars, so I found a fab free Cigar Label on Vintage Holiday Crafts. I have tinted it slightly to match the tones of the card.

I also found the Kilt Lifter Beer Label online!! I added the name on the Number Plate too which makes it more personal. 

Images: PRE-COLOURED Lotv - Coloured Art Pad 1 - 'Vintage Boys'

Papers: Craftwork Cards - Vogue Collection

Die: Spellbinders Borderabilities A2 Curved Borders 01 One

Cuban Cigar Label - Vintage Holiday Crafts

Stash: Bottle Top, Nailheads

Thanks for all your lovely comments and get well wishes... I'm feeling a lot better now. My mum wasn't too well last week, but she seems to be doing ok at the moment! :-)) Sorry that I wasn't able to keep up with commenting but hopefully I am back on track again now.

I've just bought the new 'Christmas at Downton Abbey' CD !! There are a few songs on that I don't like but so many that I love!! some great Carols by the King's College Cambridge Choir... pieces from The Nutcracker... it's a nice variety of songs... will keep me happy while I am pressie wrapping... and it's worth getting just to hear Carson the Butler narrating 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'.... he's brilliant!! :-))

Hope you all have a good weekend!
Take Care
Love and Hugs

MAWTT - Sparkle and/or Shine!

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today... I know some of you are unwell or going through very difficult times and so I'm sending huge hugs to you!!

 it's the turn of Team B once again at

Moving Along With the Times

it's my turn to host this week and I've chosen a theme of

Sparkle and/or Shine

We want to see something sparkly or shiny on your creations this week... it can be glitter, gems, pearls, glossy accents etc. .... I think we all like a bit of bling!! :-))
The paper I've used here is printed on semi-glossy paper and so it gives it a nice shiny finish... although it doesn't show up on the photos. And for some sparkle, I've used some lovely Kaisercraft Sparklets!

Image: Crafts and Me - Hannah Lynn - 'Cali Girl'

Paper: Shery K Designs - Himalayan Blue Kit

Gems: Kaisercraft Sparklets
Sentiment: Anna Marie Designs
Ribbon: Stash

I coloured Cali Girl with  Promarkers and Copics. She was such a joy to colour. I was going for a Rita Hayworth shade for the hair but it came out more Lucille Ball !!!! Lol - Oh well, I love all shades of red/ginger hair anyway, and think greens and blues look really nice with it... so that is why I chose the Himalyan Blue Paper.

I hope you can pop over to our main site at MAWTT and see the rest of the Team's shiny/sparkly creations this week!!

Looking forward to seeing all your beautiful creations... and there is a prize of some sparkly & shiny embellishments!! 

Sorry I am not around in blogland at the moment. I had a flu type bug at weekend which seemed to be getting better but then Monday night my chest went really bad. I managed to get an appointment with doctor on Tuesday, so at least now I have some antibiotics and steroids. I'm having a few days bed rest and hoping I will feel a bit better by weekend.
I have to be better for Downton!! can't believe it is the last one... where did the weeks go? don't want it to end but then we do have the Christmas Special to look forward to! :-)
Thanks for all your lovely comments, I really do appreciate them! I will catch up with you all soon.
Take care

Love and hugs

MAWTT - Someone Special at Christmas

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today... Big Hugs to those of you who are unwell or not feeling good... I hope things improve for you very soon. It's the turn of Team B once again at

Moving Along With the Times

and our lovely Shell is hosting the fab theme of....

Someone Special at Christmas!

We'd like to see the name of the special person on your creation.

I've made a bigger card than I normally do. An 8 x 8 inch Christmas Card for my lovely Daughter.... she doesn't usually look at my blog as she is so busy... so hopefully this card will stay as a surprise! I've used a beautiful Rubber Stamp from Crafts and Me called 'Tale of a Rose'.  I wanted to make a Christmas Card with a 'Tudor' feel as we both love that era.

 Image: Crafts and Me - 'Tale of a Rose' by Janna Prosvirina

Paper: Kaisercraft - 'Turtle Dove'

Dies: Spellbinders 'Die Holly Accents'
Sentiments: Freebies from Magazine
Flowers and Berries: WOC, Live & Love Crafts, The Ribbon Girl.
Nailheads for Berries: JosyRose

I've used black Mirri card so the light is reflecting off it a bit in this second photo. I really enjoyed making this card as I don't make many embellished cards at the moment... not because I don't enjoy making them... I just don't have the time and also I am very slow at making them! ... so with this card,  I just kept doing a bit here and there when I had a few spare moments... took me a long time (talking months now) !!!! Lol - but I got there in the end!  :-))

 Image: Crafts and Me - 'Tale of a Rose' by Janna Prosvirina coloured with Promarkers and Copics. I've created snow with White Viva Pearl Pen.

I hope you can pop over to our main site at MAWTT and see the rest of the Team's gorgeous and festive Christmas creations this week!!

Some of you were asking which Mr Kipling's cakes were my favourite?... well after much sampling! :-J  my favourite so far is the same as last year... Mr Kipling's 'Exceedingly Merry' Winter Whirls... they are very light which means you don't feel guilty when you have two... or three even!! :-0

Thanks for all your lovely comments, I really do appreciate them!
Will catch up with you all soon!

Love and hugs

Thank You!

Hello!! It's a beautiful sunny day here in Manchester UK!  lovely to see the sunshine again after all those dull days! I hope you are all well today.... but I know there are some nasty bugs going around at the moment... so if you are unwell, then I'm sending huge hugs and hope that you are feeling better very soon. 

My daughter commissioned a Thank You Card recently. This was a really quick make, but love how it came out! I've used a Pre-Coloured Image called 'Dahlias' by Pink Gem Designs. And I've added my own sentiment before printing out.

Image: PRE-COLOURED 'Dahlias' by Pink Gem Designs.

Paper: Prima 'Meadow Lark'

Pearls: Hobby House

Sentiment: Computer Generated

As I say, it was very quick card... but my daughter was pleased with it! :-)

I've started my online Christmas Shopping... ordered my 2015 Calendars and a few pressies for family. Also noticed that Mr Kipling's 'Festive' range is now out! So I am ordering different cakes each week... I have to start sampling them early to see which I like best for Christmas! :-0  that's my excuse anyway! ;-) Lol

Thanks so much for visiting! I will catch up with you soon!

Love and hugs!

MAWTT - Doggone It - Or Any Other Animal

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today...  it's the turn of Team B once again at

Moving Along With the Times

and our lovely Susan is hosting the fab theme of....

Doggone It! (Or Any Other Animal) 

I've chosen my favourite Christmas Doggy Stamp by Penny Black called 'Ice Dance'. Isn't he adorable!! so lovely to colour. I masked the image to create a night sky background with Paris Dusk Distress Ink. Then added some Star Dust Stickles for the Ice... some Viva Pearl White Snow.

Image: Penny Black - 'Ice Dance'

Paper: Shery K Designs - Jingle Bells Kit

Snowflakes: Cheery Lynn
Sentiment Ribbon: Pink Petticoat

I apologise for the rubbish photos... think partly it's just one of those cards that looks nicer in real life!! but also the light was very bad...  I really should have got my Light Box out but felt too tired to set it up.

I've coloured this cute little fella with Copics.

I hope you can pop over to our main site at MAWTT and see the rest of the Team's wonderful animal creations this week!!

I really enjoyed the film Gone Girl on Saturday... thought it was excellent... but the restaurant and cinema were very busy... and I have picked up a horrid cold... I guess it's that time of year again! I will feel better when I get past the streaming nose phase as it makes me bit grumpy!! Lol - Think I will dig out the Lem Sip tomorrow! :-))
Thanks for all your lovely comments!
Will catch up with you all soon!

Love and hugs

Home Sweet Home

Hello - I hope you are all enjoying the weekend so far! can't believe that we are now in October!! 

I thought I'd show you this little plaque that I made for my friend Lynn. After a lot of delays, she has finally moved into her new home... SO pleased for her! :-))

It's the first plaque that I've made and I was going for a Shabby Chic style but think I've got a lot to learn!! ... I want to make more of these and I'm hoping that I will get better at them with practice!! 

I've used a Marianne Design Collectables Set - Home Sweet Home which has the house die and also the sentiments. 

I've been really enjoying the series Our Zoo... think it's the last episode next week. I do hope they make a second series!! think there is so much more to tell of an amazing true story.

We used to go to Chester Zoo a lot when we were kids. So I thought I'd share this photo of me at the Zoological Gardens aged about 7 in 1969. I'm stood in front of the Fountain Cafe. I remember the flowers were always so beautiful there... lots of very happy memories from our visits.

Well it was VERY noisy here last night in Manchester, UK ... the wind and rain were lashing at my windows and kept waking me up... felt like I was in Wuthering Heights! Lol SO glad that I was warm and cosy in bed!

 I'm going out to see the film Gone Girl this afternoon... and there are some big thunder clouds on the horizon!! So I'm wrapping up warm and hope I can still fit in my Raincoat!! not worn it for a while! Lol

Thank you for visiting and for all your comments! I really do appreciate them!
Hope you enjoy the weekend!
Love and Hugs

Pop Up Bouquet of Flowers!

I thought I'd show you this Pop Up Card that I made for my lovely blogging buddy Elaine in Australia... It's perfect because it folds flat... so good for posting!! 

I wanted to make it like opening a big bouquet of flowers... hope I didn't go over the top!!  I've done a couple of other Pop Up cards but really wasn't happy with the actual pop up bits... there is quite an art to arranging them!!! I think it's more tricky than making the actual box!

The Flowers and Butterflies are all from Raspberry Road Designs Kits... I've used several kits and I changed the colour of some of them digitally as I wanted a lilac theme. The paper is Prima. Hope you like!

Last weekend I spent the whole weekend making some Christmas Card Kits... then found that they weren't flat enough to fit through the postal slot!!! Grrr.... they would all need Large Stamps... so yesterday I tried to come up with a new design... not tried it through the 'slot' yet... I'm scared it won't fit!! Lol - I have my own little Post Office... scales, slot, measuring gauge!! means I can work out the postage from home! :-))
Off to get a cup of tea now and get ready for Downton!! can't wait!!
Hope you all have a lovely evening!

Love and Hugs

MAWTT - 3-2-1

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today... Wow! where did the last week go? I can't believe it's Thursday again already! it's the turn of Team B over at

Moving Along With the Times

and our lovely Jessie is hosting the fab theme of....

3-2-1 Recipe
3 x Colours
2 x Papers
1 x Image 

Now I think maybe I'm colour blind or something as I had SO much trouble getting three colours!! I'm hoping there is Yellow, Green and Orange apart from her skin and hair? If not then I truly apologise for messing up. I think my Teamies have done better on this challenge.

 I made this card for my lovely teamie Pami's Birthday, and chose a gorgeous Hannah Lynn image called 'Monica'.  Both papers are by Prima.

Image: Crafts and Me - Hannah Lynn - 'Monica'

Papers: Prima - 'Zephyr' and 'Botanical Collection'

Flower: Bo Bunny
Gems: Stash

'Monica' was such a joy to colour! I've used Promarkers, Copics and then added a touch of depth in her hair with Prisma Pencils. Star Dust Stickles on her hearts and bow.

Please do hop on over to our main site at MAWTT and see the rest of the Team's wonderful 3-2-1- creations this week!!

I've had quite a busy week, so looking forward to weekend and chilling out with some crafting! my new Bigz 3D Star Die has just arrived and so am gonna have a play with it and try and make a Christmas Ornament! :-)

Tonight I'm hoping to catch up with Cilla and Our Zoo which I'm loving!

Thanks for all your lovely comments, I really do appreciate them!
Will catch up with you all soon!

Love and hugs

Vintage Birthday

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today. I know some of you are unwell or going through difficult times, so am sending extra huge hugs to you and hope things improve soon.

I thought I would pop by and show you a card that I made a while back for my dear friend Ira's Birthday. I do love these papers which were free with magazine... they are so pretty for vintage cards.

Image: E-Vint

Paper: Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady (freebie in magazine)

Flowers: Bo Bunny

Leaves: Martha Stewart Punch

Feather, Butterfly and Pearls from Stash.

 Thank you for all your lovely comments and best wishes... I'm finally improving after my IBS flare up, although I had a relapse earlier in the week... I thought an omelette would be a nice light meal !!!!!! :-0   Oh my, what a mistake that was!!... Lol - so I'm sticking to my safe foods for a good while longer!

I'm going to do a bit of Christmas Crafting this weekend... bought some Kits to make Christmas Cards as I'm not feeling very motivated this year... so will see how they come out... I'm hoping to tart them up a bit!! ?? ;-)

And of course I'm looking forward to Downton this weekend!! Yay!! it's come around SO quickly... can't believe how quickly this year is flying by. 

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Love and hugs

MAWTT - Add Texture

Hello... I hope you are all doing ok today... it's the turn of Team B this week over at 

Moving Along With the Times

as our lovely Tammy is hosting the fab theme of....

'Add Texture'

I've used my Santoro Kit again... hope you don't get tired of seeing this Kit but at least I'm making good use of it !! I thought as she's an Angel then maybe it would work as Christmas Card... and quite pleased with how it came out...  I've covered the butterflies on the image with wooden snowflakes which I've Frantaged. Then added some snow with Viva Pearl Pen. So lots of added texture.... I've just used one layer of decoupage with this card. You can see my Summer version of this card here.

Image and Papers: Santoro Kit

Wooden Snowflakes: embossed with Stampendous Fran-tage 'Shabby Pink' Embossing Enamel
Snowballs: Mark Richards Glitter Domes

Sentiment Stamp: Freebie with magazine

I've not added too many embellies as don't think it needs it... lots of lovely sparkle on the paper which I didn't want to cover up!

Texture - Frant-aged Snowflake with Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel... looks a nicer colour in real life!!

Please do pop over to our main site at MAWTT and see the rest of the Team's wonderfully textured creations this week!! :-))

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted. I'm having a bad flare up of my IBS and also had a chest infection on top of it... so wasn't feeling up to very much this last week. My chest is on the mend but my stomach is still bad and so feeling a bit drained at the moment.
So hoping to rest for a few days... I have some reading and a lot of TV to catch up with... not watched Strictly yet!! I just watched Who Do You Think You Are with Sheridan Smith... what an amazing family story! and looking forward to tonight's episode with Mary Berry!
Thank you for all your lovely comments, I really do appreciate them!
Will catch up with you all soon!

Love and hugs