Tag Time

So - I bought these new stamps by the amazing Mr Holtz - when I first saw them I loved the soldier - and now everytime I use it or see it I end up humming in my head the 'toy soldier' song 'step by step la la la. Any of you who may be around the same age will remember 'Martika's' version in the 1980s  but anyone younger probably remembers Eminem's version. I digress -anyway here's those tags I was playing about with ..

First one - I don't know if the colours of the soldier are correct but I just thought he should have a red jacket and shiny gold across his chest.I bought the cute little reindeer charm a while back and thought he was perfect for dangling at the top..

Second one - I spritzed the tag with water first then inked it with various distress colours then heat set it. Then stamped the script with white distress stain - and heat set again. Then I stamped the Chrstmas tree and wording with Black Archival ink and painted one side of the tree with Pine Needles ink.

Third one - was just inked with various reds and marigolds and pinks and a tiny bit of crushed olive. Then stamped the snowman with plum ( I think) archival and the holly with black archival. I gave the holly a bit of green bling too.

I made a promise to myself that I was going to try and do a tag a day in December - I'm a bit early I know but I was in the mood for a bit of inky play and so enjoyed messing about in my grungey zone again.

Kanban Tuesday

I did a bit of stamping this week using some stamps - Reindeer and Snowflake set.
                                           I really like this quirky reindeer

The next one is a 'stepper' card using the Nordic Scenes toppper sheet  900406

This is using the same Nordic Scenes topper sheet  

Last but not least - Vintage Lavender 900 768

I went a bit overboard with the ribbons and bits :-)

I'm really enjoying making more cards again

 Last night I had a play with some of Tim's new stamps ,and got very inky and messy making tags- will blog those very soon 

Scrapagogo retreat

These days are going past way too quickly for my liking..It's Saturday again and I've still not told you all about the retreats..Scrapagogo was first and - way back at the end of October.I still haven't taken photos of all the lovely projects - and there were some crackers.
We were lucky in the fact that it was literally only 'up the road ' for us - but still fun to stay away for the weekend
The first class was with Nicola and was this gorgeous wreath - I really enjoyed doing it.
This was Nicola's

This was mine 

Another class was Pam's She art - this started life as very plain card ..we painted and stencilled..and inked

and cut papers and paper pieced 

Here's the very lovely Janice 

and this was her class

there's a brilliant tree house in the grounds and we all gathered in front of it to have a group photo taken

By the lovely Eileen

and here's us looking just a wee bit shattered at the end of the weekend.

To top off this weekend - it was off to the O2 in London for me to see Lionel 

Brilliant as always 

This week's DT projects

I went to the NEC at the weekend. What an amazing array of crafty goodness.. I didn't spend that long there as it took quite a while by train and tube and more train. By the time I   got there it was 2.30- but I managed to get a quick look round and also met the ladies at the Crafted By You stand- and saw some of my cards on display. It was really good to meet them properly and of course I bought a 'couple of bits'...there were so many different stands - knitting.crochet,painting, I could have spent all day there.

                                         Me with the lovely Dawn Wheeler

some of my cards on display..

                                     here's my design team  makes for this week

                                              Cute Santa card - CRD9942

                             This is using a lovely paper pad called Apricot Dreams- fancy me doing butterflies and flowers .....

Snowy Holly border 900497 and Sparkling Xmas 900422

Crystal Chandelier topper PCT 1096

Think I had a bit of a 'red' week this week! 

I wasn't looking forward to winter and Christmas this year but this has really given me something to get my teeth into and keep me busy .

thanks for visiting x

Retreat round up

Last weekend it was time to pack totes and things and head off to the retreat run by the lovely Jill and Mel..
I always take a photo of the cosy fire in the bar area as that's my sign that the weekend is under way

As always there were some amazing classes...

Katherine (Sutty's) was lovely and painty and inky 

Debbie Jewell's used vellum and lots of butterflies -perfect for a photo of my mum and her beloved Benson the poodle 

I've been wanting to scrap these photos of himself when he went rockpooling/fishing when we were away  and this one by Mel worked really well 

The food - was yummy

As was the company - perfectly awesome

there's more to come - including a fab little 'Nutcracker' house..with a tiny light inside- and I still haven't photographed the weekend before's retreat layouts in proper light yet.

As always thanks for popping by.

I'm fancying a blog makeover but am very wary of changing things as the last time I did it i got in a right pickle and panic !

First projects for Kanban

Well- what a whirlwind this last week has been - after a fantastic retreat at the weekend spent with lovely friends -playing with paper and scissors and glue and inks and photos- it was home to get stuck in to make my first projects for Kanban.
Honestly,my poor little desk is looking a bit full and bedraggled - the tote's waiting for me to unpack some of the layouts still to do and things are a tad busy..

Sorry if some of these photos are a bit skew whiff- Blogger's being silly tonight and won't put them where I want them !

It's really exciting for me as some of my cards will be on the'Crafted by You' stand (C16)  at the NEC Birmingham  this weekend as well as some from the other members of the Design Team.

'Crafted by You' is the brand new retail division of Kanban.

Here's my projects for this week..

A scrapbook page using the Bloomingdale collection - I loved this doily acetate

 Then onto something Christmassy

I used their Kanban Christmas tree stamps for this one and sentiments together with Tartan cardstock

 Another Christmas one - this time from Christmas Cuties Collection

And lastly - one from  the Vintage Tapestry collection

I've got lots to share from the weekend too so will be back soon with photos and chat about that.
Thanks for popping by - happy crafting..

Excited- dot com

I've got something to share that I am very happy and proud about. Now it's official - I can share.... that I have been chosen to be on the KANBAN UK design team.
So you will be seeing lots more cards on here as well as my usual scrappy stuff..
I'm thrilled to be part of the team who have all made me feel very welcome and am really looking forward to making different things with the kits....

This is a first for me so it's very weird to see my name over on their blog ..can't wait to get playing.

It's a very busy and exciting time round here at the moment. The weekend  retreat was brilliant,it was all systems go and lots of layouts were made.My feet haven't touched the ground this week as I went down with something yukky on Tuesday and Wednesday which kept me  off work and in bed for two days,and now it's Thursday and time to pack ready for the next retreat ..... Here are a couple of layouts of mine from the weekend
One using the lovely new Prima Rondelle range

and this one is from  a Scrapagogo kit

Oh and I almost forgot to mention that LIONEL was of course brilliant !

(That was Sunday night after getting home from the retreat ) 

Thanks for stopping by - back soon.