A lonesome visit to the NEC!

Hi All

Apologies for the lack of posting at the moment. Work has well and truly taken over. Five days left and then off for two weeks…awaiting Ofsted though so really hoping we don’t get a call this week for the first week back…otherwise that’s my hols gone! Lol!

Anyway, I decided to take a day off today and go to the NEC for the craft show. Have managed to catch a cold over the past couple of days…yet again!…but was determined to go. Unfortunately, my partners in crime, Becky, Mum and family friend Jill, weren’t able to come so it was just me on my own…was pretty lonely. I managed to cheer myself up with a bit of crafty retail therapy though! I have popped a piccie below of what I bought:

I got some lovely goodies, lots of Beatrix Potter stuff, some Little Claire Christmas sentiment stamps, LOTV stamps (couple of new ones), various bits of card and bits and bobs and one thing I absolutely love is a wooden mounted House Mouse stamp…couldn’t choose which one I wanted but went for this chocolate box one. Really looking forward to Easter so that I can have a good old play! Also won a fiver at Crafty Bob’s stall and got myself a gold bag…that was a nice start to the day!

It was also the Fashion and Sewing show too and they had the Downton Abbey costumes…I am a big fan so thought I’d show you a piccy!

 

That’s it for me for now. I have been very kindly nominated for a few awards and promise I will accept them when I break up. Thank you so much for my nominations :)

Hope to be back in the blogging world from the weekend onwards!!

Thanks for looking as always!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Yay….a crafternoon!

Hi All

Managed to finally do a bit of crafting today! Has been nice, determined not to spend all weekend working this weekend!

My first card is my fave…this is my very first Mo Manning image and I love it! I used some old Papermania black and white papers in the background and used my Spectrum Noir pens to colour him in. I’d like to enter this into the Papertake Weekly challenge which is ‘Anything Goes’ this month. Hope you like it!

My next card is using a new stamp I couldn’t resist! This is a new Penny Black stamp and I want to use it in my scrapbooking but couldn’t wait to test it out on a card…went perfectly with my ‘Keep calm…’ stamps. I’d like to enter this into the Totally Papercrafts challenge this week which is ‘My Favourite Things’. I am entering this as it is my favourite stamp at the moment and it is also of a place that is probably my favourite place to visit as it means lots to me-Steve proposed at the top of the London Eye!

I am really trying to be good and avoid crafty spends, hoping to go to the NEC at the end of the month, but couldn’t resist buying some more Bella stamps from someone who was selling them on ebay! Here are a few of my makes-the blue one hasn’t yet got a sentiment on (might leave it as a notecard…) and have stamped some other images waiting to go onto cards but what do you think? I love the style of image-I can think of loads of people that would enjoy getting a ‘Bella’ card. I have kept them quite simple but am liking this kind of card at the moment!

My next card is for my mother-in-law for Mother’s Day. I have also made one for my Mum which I really enjoyed making but can’t share it yet….just in case she looks on my blog! This card is using a Lili of the Valley image which is sooo cute! I have also used a little bit of seam binding to finish it off. I’d like to enter this into the I Love Promarkers challenge which is ‘Ribbons and Bows’ (I have used tan, sandstone, blush, blossom, rose pink and buttercup) and the Allsorts challenge which is ‘Say it with flowers’.

There is more…hope you’re not getting bored yet! My next card is using one of the gorgeous Strawberry Kisses stamps-so sweet and this image is particularly mischievous-look at her opening her eye to see if anyone has realised she’s eaten some of the cupcake!! Lol! Not keen on the backing paper I have used…mmm…tis growing on me! I am going to enter this into the Facebook Crafter’s Companion challenge which is ‘Animals’.

Finally just one more Lili of the Valley card! Love this gorgeous image and have made it into a simple card just using some Papermania backing paper and card candi!

Thanks for looking-a marathon day! You should see the state of my dining room table! Will tidy it up in the morning! Off to watch Take Me Out now and have some tea :)

Night all, hope you have all had a lovely Saturday and enjoy Sunday just as much!

Hugs

Arline

xx

An award!

Hi All

Apologies for not being around much at the moment…I am determined that I will get some cards made today so watch this space! Work is a little bit crazy at the mo  and seems to have taken over once again!

I was really chuffed that a blogging friend of mine, Meg, has nominated my little blog for an award! Thank you so much hun, really made my day! Here it is:

 

The Liebster Blog Award is used to show appreciation of smaller blogs (under 200 followers) and to help spread readership and joy. As part of the tradition the award is passed along to five other blogs that have motivated and inspired me. It comes from the German meaning dearest or beloved but can also mean favourite. To accept the award you must:

1. Link back to the person's blog who gave it to you and thank them.
2. Post the award to your blog
3. Give the award to 5 bloggers (less than 200 followers) that you appreciate and value
4. Leave a comment on the five blogs you chose to let them know

It is always hard to choose just 5. I have chosen these ladies because their work is fabulous and I often don’t get chance to visit them as much as I’d like. Please take some time to visit them, all so different with such gorgeous creations!

1. Amanda http://ajecreations.blogspot.com/
2. Keeley http://havingameday.blogspot.com/#axzz1oi56CD89
3. Ali http://simplystylishstamping.blogspot.com/
4. Angela http://www.tintinheart.com/
5. Clair http://valentines-sharni-clair.blogspot.com/

Hopefully will be back later today with some makes!

Hugs
Arline

xx

Last afternoon of freedom!

Hi All

Hope you are all well this evening. I have enjoyed my last afternoon of half-term by doing a little bit of crafting! Probably my last, until the weekend at least, although I have applied for a new job so fingers crossed I get an interview….if so, it might mean giving up a crafty weekend! Lol!

I have had a go at a few challenges today but also used a few stamps that I haven’t used before. I have also coloured in lots of different images so they are waiting in the wings to be made into cards ;)

My first card today is a gorgeous Penny Black image. Love these little hedgehogs…they are so sweet. I have used some Papermania fairytale papers on this card…think I have fallen in love with them. I have also used my ProMarkers to colour them in. I used: tan, sandstone, blush, buttercup and pear green if you are interested. I would like to enter this card into a number of challenges today: Penny Black Saturday Challenge this week which is ‘Pearls and Lace’, Cute Card Thursday which this week is ‘Flower Power’ (have flowers in the image and backing paper), I Love ProMarkers challenge which is the theme of ‘Nature’ and finally the Sketch Saturday challenge which is this fab sketch.

My next card today is another Bella one. These are definitely my new thing! Love the images and I can give these cards out to so many of my friends…they will love them! Hoping to purchase some more at the end of the month…although I need to save as am thinking of going to the NEC in March! This Bella image is her having a brew or latte depending on preference! Lol! Again I used some of the Papermania Fairytale papers and coloured her in with my ProMarkers. Wish I had her skinny arms…hehe! I’d like to enter this into the Allsorts Challenge this week which is ‘Anything Goes.’

Another new stamp next (I haven’t had a shopping spree by the way…they are just ones I have had for a while and not used!) is a gorgeous little Christmas Sugar Nellie. This is such a cute image and I have used my favourite Christmas colour scheme which is blue and white! I have also used some of my seam binding to make a bow…another favourite embellishment of mine at the moment! I would like to enter this into the Winter Wonderland challenge this week which is to create a ‘Christmas card’ to start off their Christmas card challenges again and I’d also like to enter it into the Totally Papercrafts challenge this week which is ‘Ribbons and Bows’.

My final project for you today is a tag that I have made for the Just Magnolia challenge this week….which is to ‘Make a Tag’. I have used my lovely Princess Tilda and couple it with some gorgeous girly papers out of my stash. I have used a doily and some pearls/gems to add a little sparkle.

Hope you enjoyed looking. Am trying to get round to a big blog hop, update my blog and also thinking about some blog candy so will keep you all posted! If I get chance this week then I might be able to sort it then…so keep a look out ;)

Hope you all have a lovely week and thanks for the lovely comments you leave, they are really appreciated.

Hugs
Arline

xx

Think I’m in love with Bella…!

Hi All

Hope you are all well! Well, my quiet and relaxing week seems to becoming more and more hectic! In a good way though, visiting friends and spending some quality time with the hubby. Also managing to get crafting which is always a bonus!

I have a few cards for you today. My first two are using a new Bella stamp I have recently purchased….OMG think I am in love with these images! Very me…apart from the skinny body…am working on that ;) I am loving pink and brown and blue and brown at the moment. What do you think?

I also had a lovely craft night with my friend Becky, who I know a lot of you know. She had made a few little packs up to make some simple but stylish cards…this was really a ploy to make sure we actually craft as we often get carried away having a gossip! So here are the results! They were lovely cards and it is my turn to make some little sets next time we have a craft night…eek the pressure! Lol! Hope you like them!

Finally, Becky made me a lovely card on our craft night so I thought I’d share it with you!

Apparently she is the taller pig and I am the shorter….mmm….not sure if this is a compliment or an insult! Hehe! They are very cute though!

Well, that is it from me for now. Hoping I might squeeze in another crafty session in before I return to work…groan…so may have something else to show you soon.

Thanks so much for looking and your lovely kind comments :)

Hugs

Arline

xx

A few more cuties-second post of the day!

Hi All

Second post of the day…I’m on a roll! Hope you enjoyed looking at my Diva cards below! I now have a few more of my more ‘regular cuties’ to show you.

This card is another of the fabulous Crafter’s Companion Strawberry Kisses images…this is sooo cute! I have made this for my brother’s girlfriend as it is her birthday this week. I am hoping that she will like it, even though she is a dog lover! I have used some paper from my stash and the sentiment is also from the Strawberry Kisses range. I’d like to enter this into the Crafter’s Companion challenge this month which is ‘Anything goes’ and Cupcake Craft challenge this week which is ‘Pink and Red’.

Another pink themed card next is for the Just Magnolia challenge this week which is ‘Pink, Pearls and Lace’. I have used a new stamp that I bought recently and I love this image. I used some more of my seam binding and lace, a heart doily and some pearls to embellish it. This was a slightly bigger card than I normally make so not sure if I like it…not sure if it too empty…?! It is growing on me though :)

This next card is using a gorgeous new Penny Black stamp I have had. I have coloured this little image in with my ProMarkers as most of my others were using my new Speccies. I’d like to enter this card into the Totally Papercrafts challenge this week which is ‘Rainbow’ and I have used a range of pastel colours (pastel rainbow), hope it fits the brief ok! I’d also like to enter it into the Allsorts Challenge which is ‘Free and Easy’ this week.

My final card today is a little Valentines Day Card for a very special little friend of mine. Hoping he doesn’t see this before I give it to him! It is only a mini card and I had to make an easel mechanism as I don’t have any round cards…seems to work ok! I have recently bought a Cricut and finally cracked it yesterday! When I tried it last week the mat was too sticky and I couldn’t work out how to use some of the functions…cracked all of that yesterday! Lol! So I made a couple of little ‘love bugs’ and thought he would like one from his Aunty Arline! That’s your lot from me today! Have left my dining room in a right crafty mess…with the intention that I will do some more crafting tomorrow! What better way to enjoy half-term!

Hope you enjoyed looking!

Hugs
Arline

x

Viva La Divas!

Hi All

This is the first of two posts for you today otherwise you may get fed up of photies!! I have had a crafty day today and made a few quite simple cards but I was pleased with the majority. I still have this blasted cold but hoping it will go soon and I will get my mojo back!

I bought the Joanna Sheen Viva La Divas CD Rom for Christmas and have only just had a proper play with it! I have lots of toppers sitting here waiting to be made into cards but I made four…I couldn’t neglect the rest of my stash could I?! Lol! I absolutely love the sentiments on these cards…they are fab.

My first Viva La Diva card is one with the sentiment ‘Just so you know, I renewed my backseat-driving licence’. Hehe! This is so me sometimes…think it drives my hubby round the bend. I made these into easel cards so that the images were given the space they needed as they were quite large!

My second Viva La Diva card I added a few flowers and sparkle just to finish it off. The sentiment on this one says ‘Gwen was glad she had found matching gloves-digging was so much fun.’ I’d like to enter this into the Papertake Weekly challenge this week which is ‘Anything goes’. Something a bit different for the challenge this week.

My third card would be great for a couple who have been together for a while where the woman definitely wears the trousers! The sentiment on this one is ‘Caffeine first darling, then we’ll pretend to listen to each other.’ Love it! I also used a bit of my new ‘seam binding’ ribbon to this card…think I have fallen in love with this stuff today!

My final Viva la Divas card…for now…is my favourite. This is definitely me when I follow a new recipe and it goes terribly wrong! The sentiment on this one is ‘I’m sure this isn’t what the recipe meant by light and fluffy.’ Now it is half-term I must do some baking…watch this space ;) I have used Glossy Accents to highlight the mixing bowl etc. in the corner of the backing paper but the camera hasn’t picked it up. Think this image will get lots of use!

That is it for my Diva cards! Love this CD and if you’re thinking about buying it….do! You will not be disappointed. There are also bookmarks and decoupage on it which are fab too! Hope you enjoyed looking at them and watch out for my next post which will be a few of my ‘normal’ cuties!

Thanks for looking and for your comments.

Hugs

Arline

xx

Still here...!

Hi All

Apologies for not being around for a little while. I have the lurgy....flu-like :( Has really hit me and have had to have a couple of days off work because of it. Going back in tomorrow as I am starting to be able to function again....I think...last two days of the half-term so sure I can muster up the strength for those...then I have a whole 9 days to get rid of the blasted thing! Hoping to get back crafting at the weekend...have recently had a Cricut so am so excited about having a proper play around with it...I can feel some scrapbooking coming on! Watch this space...thanks for popping by and I promise to catch up blog hopping asap!

Hugs
Arline
xx

Some new digis!

Hi All

Hope you have all had a good week. Mine has been manic…really busy at work but not long before half-term now ;) Went up town today and spent far too much…went for a pair of boots and some make up…came back with an owl top, owl jumper and owl hair clips…think I have a problem! Lol! (No boots though!)

Anyway, back to crafting! I have made a couple of cards today with my new digis from Tiddly Inks…if you haven’t yet discovered these cuties then please go and take a look! Here is my first card today which is the gorgeous little Wryn! She was lovely to colour in…I have used my speccies too…loving my new pastels set. I’d like to enter this into the Totally Papercrafts challenge this week which is ‘Pearls and Lace’, the Papertake challenge which is ‘Happy Highlights’ which is to highlight a part of your project-I have used glossy accents to highlight the cute little bird that Wryn is holding and the Cute Card Thursday challenge which is ‘You’re a Gem!’ so to include gems which I have done in the centre of the flowers.

Sorry….bit of a picture overload there but I had a go at decorating the inside too…am trying to keep to my crafty resolution!

My next card is actually the hubster’s Valentines Day card! He won’t look on here so it should be safe to post. It is a really plain card as he doesn’t appreciate the ‘clutter’ that we call embellishments! Lol! I have used another fab image from Tiddlywinks. I have also used my speccies once again and am quite pleased with my hair and clothing blending…I’m getting there! I’d like to enter this into the Winter Wonderland challenge this week which is Swirls and Pearls (swirls on the background paper and pearls on the sentiment), the Cupcake Craft Challenge this week which is ‘All You Need is Love’ and it was to make a loved up card and finally the Allsorts challenge this week which is to use One or More Hearts (I have heart gems, shaped in a heart and then a heart rub on…hope that counts!)

I think that may be it from me this week…I have got quite a bit of work to do tomorrow and a busy week ahead. Waiting to hear about a job so may have an interview to prep for if I am lucky! If not, I will be playing with my new Cricut…hopefully being delivered on Monday! Woop!

Have a fab weekend everyone and thanks for looking :)

Hugs

Arline

xx

All About Me - December Challenge

Hi All

Just a quick post from me today! Thought I would share with you my next page for my scrapbook as part of the ‘All About Me’ group. The challenge this month was to use a punch on your project. I have used my new border punch…which I am a little bit in love with…to punch a little bit of glitzy vellum down the side. These are a few piccies from my hen party back in 2010! It was a fab night, all pink and girly! Hope you like it. The main piccie is of me…I kept being sent out to sit on the stairs! The other two pics are of me and my bridesmaids and me and my bessie mates from school. I have another one that I am working on that has got some more of the ‘hens’ on! Lol! Will keep that for a later post ;)

Thanks for looking!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Strawberry Kisses time!

Hi All

Work has been mad since we’ve been back, parents evening and reports due for last week! Finally been able to breathe this weekend and have enjoyed a good old crafternoon!

I decided to use my Christmas money to buy the new Strawberry Kisses collection from Crafters Companion and have had so much fun with it this afternoon…..my crafting mojo wasn’t there so I am not too happy with my cards but I loved playing with the cute little characters!

My first card is for the Crafters Companion challenge this month which is ‘Love is in the Air’. Love this little image, tis sooo cute! My colouring of the moon didn’t go well so please excuse it!

My next card is for the Totally Papercrafts Challenge this week, ‘Spots and Stripes’ (My backing papers have them both on!) and for the Cupcake challenge which is ‘Something New’ which could be interpreted as your new stash…this is definitely new!

All pink and girly so far….and yet another one coming up!! My next card, which I think is my fave so far, is for the I Love Promarkers challenge which is, cute and cuddly, and I have used Denim blue, Ice grey 1, Blossom and Buttercup when I coloured in this little cutie. I’d also like to enter it into Sketch Saturday this week….I have moved the sketch around a little but all of the elements are there :) I would also like to enter this one into the Winter Wonderland challenge this week which is ‘Birthday Wishes’.

  

One last Strawberry Kisses card for now, although I really don’t think I can stop playing with them!! This one I have made for my Uncle who is 50 in February. I made an easel card and thought the sentiment went really well with the image….hoping my Uncle won’t end up sleeping in a shoe on his birthday night though!! Lol!

Phew….that is a lot of cuteness…how about some attitude now?! I have recently bought some Saturated Canary images and have loved colouring them in today….definitely some more cards coming during the week or next weekend! Here is my first attempt which I have kept really plain as I would like to enter it in the challenge over at the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog and the challenge is ‘Clean and Simple’…hoping this will qualify!

This fab image is called Kitty and I love her! My little sister has a hoody similar to this one…tis white with cat ears and has paws that she can wear too! Definitely think this one is a good teenagers card or students…might keep it for my sis for later in the year!

Sorry for the mammoth post!! Just before I finish I thought I’d just update you on the resolutions!! Diet is going pretty well….pleased as I am being really good….getting back on my Wii Fit this week to get my exercise regime started! Saving money is going well…also trying to sell more than buy it…going ok..! Work/life balance….not bad…had almost a completely work free weekend which was nice…still one to work on though. Haven’t done anything in the house this week but think that will be more of a holiday progression…should have an update in February half-term! Moisturising going well and have decorated three insides of the cards made today! Other crafty resolutions are a work in progress! So a promising start I think!

Thanks for looking and I really appreciate all of your comments! Am feeling some candy coming on if I can get my followers over 200…!! ;)

Hugs

Arline

xx  

New Year…New Me!

Hi All

That sounds all very exciting as a title…in reality it means I am posting my new ‘New Year’s Resolutions!’ I always enjoy making resolutions at the beginning of the year…I know some people loathe it…but I enjoy having something to work towards! Lol! I didn’t do too badly last year, I managed to read a lot more, very nearly gave myself at least one day off at the weekend from work, I definitely blogged more…not quite once a day but much more than the year before! I didn’t do so well at losing weight or limiting the amount of times I stress out due to me being a control freak though! However, I will persevere once again this year!

My New Year Resolutions in 2012 are:

1. As always, lose weight and get fit! Did well when I got married, didn’t really have any ‘focus’ last year but we are going on holiday to Canada later in the year and would like to be able to look at my photos without thinking how fat I look! So this is my focus…will keep you updated! There are far too many nice things in the house at the moment though so will start once the Christmassy food has all gone…no point starting just yet! Lol! Think I will do a weekly weigh in on here to try and keep me motivated…might need you all to urge me on with this, even if I have been naughty! Would like to lose a stone to begin with…then see how I feel…don’t want to give myself an unrealistic goal to begin with…hoping a stone is manageable over time…
2. Save money-we need to save for our trip to Canada once again, but I’d also like to save for a ‘rainy day’ and just stop wittering money away…need to stop my trips to town the first Saturday after payday! Have also started selling some bits and bobs, crafty items and some old wedding bits and bobs so hoping this will help with this!
3. Still trying to get the work/life balance right…really difficult as a teacher. So going to try and make at least one night a week where me and the hubby can sit, without laptops, phones or work, and watch a DVD, go out, play Monopoly(!) etc. just spend a bit of time together…so often we are in the same room but not actually speaking to each other!! Lol!
4. Sort out the house-need to finish decorating the house. Only one big room to go, our spare room, that is going to cost quite a bit but the other rooms just need a lick of paint and freshening up. Hoping we can do this throughout the year…may even post some piccies if the results are good!
5. This is going to sound like an odd one…but I want to moisturise more and take care of my skin more! I swear I am starting to get wrinkles!! I do have eczema so should look after it better than I do!

Quite a bit there to focus me! I also saw a lot of my crafty friends are making crafty resolutions! So here are mine:

1. To use at least one stamp a month that has been in my cupboards neglected for a good while! (Especially after my recent sort out…found some gems!)
2. Continue to de-clutter and sell on any products of any use to other crafters.
3. Scrapbook more-I am part of a group so hoping this will keep me focused…but would really like to get my wedding scrapbook done by the end of the year…
4. Try to decorate the insides of my cards more…I see so many people doing this and it makes their cards look so much more professional and beautiful…will try my best :)
5. Keep persevering with my sugar crafting!
6. Finally, to blog at least once a week…more in the holidays though ;)

So lots and lots to do in 2012! Hoping it is going to be a good year! I was really good tonight, didn’t bring any work home with me…..was going to craft though, but being back to work had caused me to lose my mojo! Hopefully I will be back to normal by the weekend! So instead, you got my post about New Years Resolutions! Lol! Sorry to disappoint! Thank you all for continuing to come and visit me, no matter what my ramblings may be! I really do appreciate your comments and they cheer me up no end when I have had a tough day. Thanks again and sending you lots of hugs!

Arline

xx

Happy New Year and a new challenge at Christmas Crafting!

 

Hi All

Firstly, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! Hope that 2012 is a good one for you and your families. We had a very quiet one last night, in bed just after midnight! Now looking forward to the roast that is in the oven :)

Onto our first challenge of 2012 over at Christmas Crafting! It is a Christmas crafting blog, so we are continuing to get ready for next years festive season! Our challenge this month is to create an easel card. I have to admit that I am a little addicted to these cards…so couldn’t wait to get started! Our sponsor is Whimsy stamps and they have given us 5 digi stamps to give away so I hope you will join in with us this month!

Here is my DT card. I have used a gorgeous LOTV image that was already coloured in and have used my new ‘Keep calm and…’ stamps that my friend bought me for Christmas….have a feeling a batch of these cards may be coming up!! It is quite simple but I was pleased with the result.

 

I also found out this morning that I have made the top three at Winter Wonderland this week! So excited about this…I love joining in with the challenges so it has made my day, thanks ladies :)

Have a wonderful day, whatever you are up to, and here’s to 2012!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Top 10 cards of 2011!

Hi All

As I have been blog hopping I have noticed quite a few people have thought about their top 10 cards of 2011. Thought I’d have a look through my year and decide on my own top 10! Hope you enjoy looking through them. I have put them in order of when I made them…wonder if there is any progression! Lol!

Have a Happy New Year everyone!

Hugs

Arline

xx