Woo-hoo! My hAnglar card came third!

I'm so chuffed! 

I couldn't get Inlinkz to accept the thumbnail piccie yesterday no matter what I did, so I thought I might have exempted myself from the challenge.  Then I checked out the old Dashboard this morning to see what everyone has been up to and saw my name on the Lovely hAnglar Only blog.  It's also well worth having a look at the winning card by Kathrin (aka Kruemel) - it's absolutely gorgeous.   The next challenge starts later today, so do pop over to see what it is if you like hAnglar and stAnglar stamps. 

Have a lovely Sunday!

Tracey xx

Lovely hAnglar Only - Take Two Challenge

Isn't it just wonderful when you get some "me" time, when you can forget everything else that's going on in your life for a while and just make something.  It's been a funny old week but I actually managed to make a few cards and I know you'll understand when I say how much better I feel for being able to do that.

Plus the sun is shining.  Yes, it's actually out, in Scotland, shining.  Amazing.  And because the light is 100% better than it's been for months, I was able to take some almost decent photos of my cards. Not a bad start to the weekend (she says, trying not to look at the windows and kitchen floor, which are pleading for attention).

Anyway, here is the first of two cards for today and it's destined for the Lovely hAnglar Only challenge, which is "Take Two" - in other words, you need to have two hAnglar stamps on your card. 

 

I decided on an easel card as I haven't made one for a while but wanted to change the shape a bit.  So, I stamped me hAnglars, cut them out with a Go Kreate large circle and stuck them on a doily (one of Tesco's finest!).  The image is coloured with Copics and edged with the faintest hint of Spun Sugar Distress Ink.

The papers are from the Panduro Tilda Wintergarden pad which I got from Cuddly Buddly and the jotting spot and sentiment are cut from the same pad.  The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Right, time to get on with some housework.  If I get a wiggle on I should be back later with my second card of the day. What a pleasure!

Enjoy your Saturday,

Tracey x

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Pastels

First of all, thank you everyone who has so kindly sent their "warm" thoughts - I'm pleased to say that my boiler is fixed and we are now nice and cosy again!  When I think back to my childhood days of no heating in the house other than a coal fire in the sitting room, I really do wonder how I survived! 

Anyway, on to my card for today.  I managed to make something for this week's Just Magnolia challenge - just my sort of theme - Pastels!  I'm not totally thrilled with the way it's turned out, but I was just happy to get some crafting time earlier this week, as it's been in short supply lately.

I wish I could remember who makes this paper - it could be Melissa Frances - but I really like the soft blue and green shades.  In fact I kept the layout fairly simple as I didn't want to cover it up too much!  I coloured Tilda with Copics and cut her out with an oval Nestie and I then stuck her on top of a scalloped oval cut from Coredinations Whitewash card. Tilda's balloon has had a coat of Glossy Accents to make it nice and shiny. I used some tulle, a ribbon bow and some roses in the top left hand corner and added the same soft green roses from Wild Orchid Crafts underneath Tilda's feet.  Finally I put a Sizzix rub on message in the bottom left corner.

I'm off to get a nice hot bath now!  What bliss!

Hope to see you again before the end of the week if I can finish the two works in progress I've got on the go!

Hugs

Tracey

Lili of the Valley - Colour Combo

I managed to make a couple of cards over the long weekend - thank goodness!  I came home to find the central heating boiler has broken down, so it's too cold to craft in my kitchen.  Fortunately Worcester-Bosch are able to send someone out tomorrow, so I've arranged for someone to be in.  I don't like being cold and I don't like cold showers! 

Anyway, I liked the sound of this week's Lili of the Valley challenge, which is to use a favourite colour combination.  Really my favourites change all the time, so I should say that is one of my current favourites. I particularly like this paper, which is Melissa Frances, I think!

Apologies once again for the photo quality - it's been pouring with rain here for days and hasn't really got light.  Anyway, apart from the pretty blue and cream paper, I used Bazzill cardstock for the base and Coredinations for the Magnolia lace border and the diecut Nesties shape. The image is LotV coloured with Copics and edged with Broken China distress ink.  The ribbon, flowers and pearls are all from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Fingers crossed that the boiler man can work his magic tomorrow.  In the meantime I'll be going to bed with a hot water bottle and my socks on!

Hugs

Tracey

Sweet Stampin' - Red, White and Blue

Over at Sweet Stampin' this week we have a FAB challenge - make your card using the colours Red, White and Blue.  Jump over and see what my DT Teamies have made - all those bright colours are just what's needed on a grey February day!

After my rant about over-priced hAnglars on Ebay last Sunday I'm pleased to say that my NORMAL PRICE hAnglars arrived within a couple of days of me ordering them. Perfect timing for my Sweet Stampin' card!

I suppose this card is quite plain - for me, at least - there are no flowers (wot? no flowers?!) and that's very unlike me.  However, I did paper-piece the clothes using some Magnolia red check and blue gingham Lili of the Valley papers.  The large fabric brads are Making Memories and are years old and the Love sticker is so old there is no trace on the sheet of who made it!  The colouring was done with the old Copics and I edged the card with Broken China distress ink.

We've got a long weekend, thank goodness.  The kids don't actually go back to school until Thursday but we're in Tuesday and Wednesday for training and meetings.  Off to a party tonight - taking Gregor with me as most of my friends have kids and we just let them party till they drop!

Whatever you're doing this weekend, enjoy!

Big hugs

Tracey

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Love Bugs!

Just a quick post before bedtime to tell you about the latest challenge over at Sweet Stampin'.   This week we'd like to see your designs featuring a bug or insect - hop on over via the link to see the fab creations Team Carrie have made to inspire you!

By the way, I ordered a new hAnglar kit from Ebay last week. This is kit no. 26 and I hadn't seen it before.  It looks so cute, but don't they all. Anyway, I ordered it - as always -  from hAnglar and stAnglar via Ebay and the cost was £33.

Someone is now selling the same kit on Ebay with a starting price of £60.  And some poor soul is no doubt going to pay that, and some, to get their hands on this kit.  It makes my blood boil.  I understand all about market forces and commend anyone with a head for business, but this is just pure greed.  hAnglar REGULARLY put their stamps on Ebay now and the company is easy to spot because they always put their address (Falun, Sweden) on the blurb, plus they don't charge p&p.  Sometimes the stamps go on quite late at night (9.30-11.00) but there have been times when the stamps have gone on at teatime.  There are always plenty of them but they do sell quickly - you just have to be a bit vigilant, that's all.

Please, please don't get ripped off.

Stepping down from my soapbox ... now.

Hope the coming week is wonderful for you. I think we could all use a little bit of sunshine in one way or another right now.

Big hugs

Tracey xxx

New hAnglar Kit on Ebay NOW!

Just a quickie to let you know that hAnglar Kit no. 26 is on sale on Ebay now.  I haven't seen this one before and it looks very cute, so I've just treated myself. 

Hugs

Tracey

Lovely Candy at Jane's Lovely Cards!

Hop over to Jane's Lovely Cards - she has the most yummy candy up for grabs!

Yes, it's a Whiff of Joy Spring Stamp Kit - definitely worth entering for!

Sweet Stampin' - Spring Flowers

Another week gone in a blink and I've only managed to make one card!  I think it's about time I sorted out my work-life balance ...

Over at Sweet Stampin' we would love to see your fabulous creations on the theme of Spring Flowers.  This is mine.

First, apologies for the dodgy photo - I'm beginning to wonder if Scotland is actually floating towards Scandinavia, as the light here is absolutely awful at the mo! I used a Bazzill base and Magnolia paper - my last piece of this daffodil paper, so time for me to go shopping, I think (any excuse!).  I stamped Tilda with Memento ink, masked her with a post-it and stamped the bench over the top.  She's been coloured with Copics and I added some Stickles to her petticoat and headscarf and flowers. The background has been distressed with Scattered Straw ink just to lift it a little.

I mounted the image onto a doily and used more of my lovely flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts around the edge.  Pebbles Inc pearls and some All My Memories ribbon (years old!) finished the whole thing off.

I've got another busy week ahead but I'm determined to get on top of things at work.  Gregor's got a pal coming to stay tonight so I might get a chance to make a card later.

Whatever you're doing, have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs

Tracey xxx