Happy Christmas One and All

Right it's a real quickie today, I had lots to say, but time pushes on so I'll keep it quick.

Firstly, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.  Yeah I know, It may be hoping for too much, but we can all have dreams can't we?

Here are the last 2 Polka Doodles challenges for you.  Don't forget that Nikky has a show on Create & Craft sky671 or freeview36 the the 4th January.  Then she has another show on the 8th Jan launching her new CD, so get those dates fixed and don't miss them.

For today's (Friday 24th) challenge I've made a gift bag from a C5 envelope. My main image is Nikky's gorgeous cupcakes which I've stamped onto pale blue card and used silver embossing powder. I then watercoloured it with Aquamarkers. I'm sorry to to say it doesn't show that well in the photo, I seem to be going through a bad photographer phase at the moment! I've used papers from Paper Boutique Vol1 cd, Tea Dye and Stormy Sky distress inkpads, Martha Stewart corner punch, recycled brown card, raffia and eyelets.

I made fun loving 50 year old card for last weeks challenge.  All the papers and extra bits are from Sundae of Seasons CD. I edged the numbers with a silver ProMarker, first the fat nib then I went round again with the fine nib. I've added adhesive gems, ribbons and added some faux stitching.

 The inside of the card.

Well that's it for now.  Enjoy the holiday period.  Eat, drink and be merry as the saying goes.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

Well I managed to get loads of annoying bits and bobs done today, so I'm feeling quite pleased with myself.  I didn't manage to get my Aunties all-in-one working properly though.  I really think these printers are made not quite right just to keep us all annoyed with them.  It's all working except the scanner wirelessly. It's time to contact HP, deep joy!

I do now feel that the light at the end of the tunnel is just round the corner and I will be ready for Christmas. It may not be till midnight Christmas eve, but I WILL be ready.  Well actually I have to be, because I've got to cook for 10 this year.  And all in my slimline cooker (eeeks), I hope they all have big breakfasts before they come round, lmao.  It's going to be a squash in our tiny little home but at least we won't get cold with all that body heat.

It was my turn to set the challenge for last Fridays blog post over at Polka Doodles.  The theme I chose was to make a project that would hold a gift of some sort. 

I made a Christmas cracker for my project and  filled it with jelly beans, but you could put what ever you like in it as long as it fits. All the papers and elements are from Jingle Jangles CD. I just love all the whimsical artwork on it. I added red polka dot and gingham ribbon and used a Martha Stewart punch. I resisted the urge to smother it in glitter.

 

 I had some yummy stash from Kuretake so I set to work on making some samples using them.

Here are the results.

Altered cigar box. I marbled the paper using alcohol inks, then stamped and overstamped using black sparkle embossing powder.  The stamps are by Creative expressions.

 Glass heart. Alcohol ink on the back, Painty pens and an old Basic Grey rub-on on the front.

 

Alcohol inks on mirri card.  Creative Expressions stamps.

 My marbled paper (I was very pleased with the results). Elusive Images stamps.

 More marbled paper and a Polka Doodles stamp.

 A gift bag made from a C5 envelope, decorated with oriental paper, ribbons and brads.

That's enough for tonight, I need some sleep. Take care all.

Xmas decs and then more decs

I'm going to be in so much trouble this year, I've done the unforgivable for a card maker. Yes I've bought ready made Christmas cards.  I hear all your loud gasps of horror, but I just don't have the time or energy, and I'm not putting myself through the stress of trying to get them done in time (it's already too late).  I have a few made so a few lucky people will get handmade ones.

I had a complete disaster with my Polka Doodles challenge card for last week.  I lost the first one I made (still haven't found it), the cat knocked my coke over the second one and then I dropped an inkpad on my third attempt.  I gave up at this point so there is no card from me for that challenge.  Why do inkpads always land ink side down when you drop them?  It's like buttered bread isn't it.

Here are a few Kuretake Alcohol ink projects.  There are just over a hundred gorgeous colours and they work the same way as Ranger Alcohol inks or if you are an artist spirit inks.

Here are a couple of test pieces on foiled cardstock.

I've also done a few more decorations for my tree.  I came across some wooden decorations in Tescos, the boxes have 10 decorations in them for just £1.  Bargain don't you think?  Some I triple embossed and stamped into, then filled in the stamped detail with stickles.  I used a combo of Blond Moments and Cosmic Shimmer embossing powders.  The rest were painted with Ranger paint dabbers, stamped and stickled (is that a word? it is now, lol).  I used Polka Doodles xmas and 7Gypsies stamps.

 The next ones are die-cut grunge paper, painted, stamped and stickled.

Lastly a few pics of the snow, as if most of you haven't had enough of it.  We had loads for us, being on the south coast we either miss it or just get a dusting.

 Heeeeelp, Mum I'm sinking!

Yummy new Polka Doodle rubber stamps

Nikky has been working her little socks off for you all again and produced some gorgeous new rubber stamps. Yes proper Delicious RED RUBBER stamps.  Knowing who manufactures these stamps I can tell you they are top quality and deeply etched.  I'm sorry to all you clear rubber stamp lovers but rubber is definitely better in my humble opinion and far more versatile and long lasting. 

There are a few exceptions I grant you, one of which being Clarity Stamps which are far superior to other clear stamps and on a par with rubber.  They will withstand heat and permanent inks with ease, and there are so many designs to die for it's hard to choose.

I also have to say a big thank you to Kuretake UK for sending me some fabby Kurecolour alcohol inks. The colours are amazing.  If you have never used any of their products then give them a go. You really won't be disappointed, again the quality of their Zig pens Etc is second to none.  I'm using the inks for a Magazine set, so unfortunately I can't post any pictures of them till they have been published, but as and when I get some time (ha ha) I will use them on a project and post some pics.

I digress so back to Polka Doodles. This weeks challenge on the the PD blog this week was to make a card using the Poem 'Twas the night before Christmas ..........' as inspiration.  The design team have made some wonderful inspirational projects so hop over to the Polka Doodles blog and have a butchers.

For my DT challenge card I used the Paper Boutique Vol2 Creative Christmas CD for all the elements and backing papers. Santa and Rudolf won't be going hungry or thirsty this Christmas eve.

Below are four sample cards I made for Nikky with the new stamps.  I so wish I had had more time to play further, but alas other work was waiting to be done (nothing new there).  These little houses are so cute and all the little elements work so well for making up little scenes.  And I love the sentiments, some quirky, some standard but in gorgeous fonts and just so usable.

I used bog standard colouring pencils on the above image and I coloured the one below with Sakura stardust pens.

 I used a mixture of Copics and ProMarkers on the below cards

If your squeamish then go no further, I injured myself this week.  The table bit back and tried to rip my index fingernail off.  Oooooouuuucccchhhh is the polite version of my reaction!  It's been a real pain since, It's amazing how much you miss a finger when you can't use it. And boy does it sting when you get alcohol ink in it, I nearly hit the roof I can tell you, lmao.

That's it for now, feel free to feel sorry for my poor finger!

Almost forgot

Slapped wristies for me, I forgot to tell you all that Nikky from Polka Doodles will be on Create and Craft TV next Friday 26th November at 8am and she has some brand new lovely products up her sleeve that she will be launching on the show - make sure you watch, record, Sky+ or Internet watch - they're lush!

Samples galore

Before I get involved in uploading my sample cards, I'll just remind you all of the blog hop over at Polka Doodles.  Fabby prizes galore so pop over to the PD blog and follow the instructions

Right onto all the samples I made for my Creative Expressions Demo last Saturday.  I had a lovely day, it was very busy in the morning, which made the day fly past.  There was Christmas cake, mince pies and mulled apple juice on offer to everyone.  I have to say I thought Witney was a very beautiful little town.  They certainly had some very nice eateries there.  Anne the owner of the shop (Artbox Witney) was lovely, although being her first demo day she was very excited and very nervous.  I'm glad to say it was a success so big phews all round.  You can never tell before hand just how it's going to go, so it's always a relief that it goes well.