Christmas Tree Baubles

I have a few things to share with you now that I know that things have been safely received, but think I shall spread them out due to lack of crafting opportunities at the moment!

So, to continue with my christmas card theme, these are the last two of the set currently made, again using my sale die (it also has a stocking on it, but I haven't had a play with that yet!)  I have had these glittery Doodlebug papers for ages and never quite known what to do with them, but they seemed perfect for christmas baubles (at least the red did, the green might be a bit too lime, but whatever, I went with what I had!)  The only slight problem was sticking the wavy line on - not easy onto a glittery surface!

At the moment, I am thinking about doing a "Journal your Christmas" thing!!!  Mad I know!  I decide to take the pressure off myself by not making ALL my christmas cards this year, then think about doing a day by day, blow by blow journal of Christmas!  I love Christmas, and I probably wouldn't have to do it again, not for a few years anyway, as for me part of the magic of Christmas is the traditions, so not all that much changes year to year.  Am I mad?  Already got loads of notes jotted down and ideas buzzing around in my head ... I thought about signing up for an online class, but think I will do my own thing - IF I decide to go ahead that is!!!

Carole x

Christmas Fairy Lights

I've been having a little play with my new Christmas die (OK, not so new, but the first time I have used it!  It was one that I purchased in the Boxing Day fiasco that was the Ellison sale last Christmas).

I wasn't sure what paper would make better glass bulbs, so I had a play!  The first one was metallic paper which was hard to photograph as it looks different depending on how the light falls on it.  I liked these bulbs although the paper is quite thin:

Next I tried some metallic handmade paper.  This was thicker so needed less foam pads:

And finally, I found a cover mount from an old Cross Stitching magazine from years ago which was a pack of high gloss metallic cards, so I used them!  They were even harder to photograph, but I liked the result!

So, in conclusion, I don't have a favourite, I think they all worked!  More good news too, whilst trying to work out which one I would like best, I have now made nine Christmas cards!  They are all along the same lines, i.e. my beloved brown paper and vintage book paper with die cut shapes, but I'm quite pleased.  Last year I stressed myself out by making all 100 of the Christmas cards that I send so now that I am working I have decided that most of my cards this year will be the bought charity kind, but I will continue with making my Christmas cards and see how far I get, but with no pressure.

Credit for the photography in this post goes to Alex who is loving her new camera, and has, it has to be said, taken some really fantastic photos already!

My Christmas preparations have continued today, although not in my Crafty Corner, but in the kitchen.  My Christmas cake is made and is currently cooling completely before I can "feed" it and wrap it up, and my mincemeat is made and popped into my lovely Le Parfait jars ready for some yummy mince pies nearer to December - although my family are all asking for mince pies now knowing that the mincemeat is made!  I intend to make my Christmas pudding some time this week ...

Carole x

Happy Halloween!

I don't normally make Halloween cards, in fact I have never made a Halloween card before, but my lovely little niece Charlotte bought me a pack of four card toppers and I loved them!  So I thought that I had better at least make a card for her, but got on a bit of a roll and made four!

It was quite nice working with completely different colours than usual, but I did manage to still use my beloved brown paper - I love it (just in case you haven't already noticed that!)  My Christmas cards also feature brown paper ...

Carole x

Christmas is coming ...

It certainly is here anyway!  What with working in a card shop that now has it's full Christmas range out, and visiting garden centres which are full on grottos, there's no denying it!  I would normally be much more advanced with Christmas preparations, including starting my gift shopping but what with the uncertainty of my OH's job and less time available due to my new job, I must confess that I haven't bought a thing yet - panic!  I have however got all the ingredients ready to make my christmas cake, pudding and mincemeat next week, as has become my new October half term tradition.

So, this afternoon I spent a little time in my Crafty Corner and I made my first two Christmas cards!!!  The first one is just as I had planned it in my head, but the second one is an improvement on the imagined design (at least I think it is!)

I also made a couple of birthday cards, but as ever when I make cards for upcoming birthdays, I can't share them until the birthday people have received them!

I hope that you are more advanced with your Christmas preparations than I am!

Carole x

New Punch

What a naughty blogger I've been - and it all started so well!  I can only apologise for my lack of blogging but sadly I haven't actually managed much crafting, so not much to blog!

However, I can now reveal two cards that I made last week and which have now been safely received.  The first went all the way from the south coast right up to Scotland for my lovely friend Gill's birthday:

and the second one is for my friend Jacqui, but this one only had to travel a short distance!

I'm loving my new EK Success flower punch - I had been inspired by other blogs and other people's projects using this punch, and eventually just had to have one!  I already had the smaller size one, and indeed a smaller still one so just needed the large one to complete the set ... rude not to!

Hope to blog again soon!

Carole x

Golden Wedding

I managed a few hours in my Crafty Corner yesterday!!!  I had a lovely time :)  However, I can't show you what I made as Alex has ordered her new camera and wants to take some "professional" photos of the two cards and my October ATCs.  Wouldn't you know it, the camera hasn't been delivered, despite someone being in the house all day today.  Not quite sure how she will set up the lighting etc, but we shall see!  She is thoroughly enjoying her Photography A level course so I am looking forward to seeing some lovely photographs - not only of my work!

I struggled big time with this card, my first ever Golden Wedding Anniversary card.  It was ridiculous how long I spent shuffling bits of gold card around!  I am pleased with the image though, a wooden stamp that I picked up at a boot sale for 20p!

I also made this New Home card for my lovely friends Louise and Ian who are moving out of our village into The New Forest, into a lovely converted barn - with an Aga!!!  How jealous am I of that Aga?!  Loads.  My Tim Holtz birdcage die has had many outings, it is far more versatile than I realised at the time I bought it!  I have used it for birthdays, anniversaries and now New Home too!

Carole x

Blog Award!

Earlier this week I was surprised, and very delighted when Valerie very kindly awarded me a "One Lovely Blog Award"!

I am still very touched - thanks again Val!

Yesterday, the kids took themselves off to Poole to the cinema so I managed a little bit of crafting, but I shall share those cards another day as I have remembered that I haven't yet shown my September ATC!  The theme was "Things that make me smile" and as you all know, I love my funky chicken die and every time I use him, he makes me smile!  I hope that the recipient of my ATC Fiona liked it too ...

Carole x