Rudolph!

Hello friends

A festive tag today featuring Bird Stand and just with the addition of a red brad

for his nose it is instantly Rudolph!

The papers are Basic Grey and Classic Ovals LG makes a nice background.

A tiny bit of lace and hessian/twine keeps it natural.

Yesterday I talked about the CAPTCHA button that has appeared,
I know I'm not the only one having issues with this as it's on lots of other blogs too.
Even if you are signed in with a Blogger/Google account the button will appear
but just ignore it, type your comment and press publish.
Argghhh - technology isn't always good!

But now to something that is good....
I'm at my City job today but a day off tomorrow, Elliott and I are having a day out!
Ronald McDonald House in conjunction with a very nice London hotel have
offered Elliott and I a night's stay so we've decided to do a bit of shopping,
perhaps visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and generally feel festive.

Poor Mitchell has to work and look after Bella (of course!) but we promise
to make it up to him and bring him home nice goodies.

I'm glad to say I've prepared FDD so that will still be here.

Take care friends and I look forward to sharing some photos,
we will not be ice skating, I'm completely useless at that!

Kraft and Flowery

Hello friends

A layout of mine has just been featured in this month's Scrapbook Magazine 

and here it is.  It features my niece Rachel, bless her - she has so many 

layouts done of her because she's the only girl and I love flowery layouts!

Also helps that she's beautiful and photogenic.

I chose to keep the layout entirely kraft papers - these are Canvas Corp.

A tag found its way into the layout and Classic Edges One makes a nice scallop 

edge to the top of the photo frame.

 I picked out the white of Rachel's dress with the flowers - 

Just Because Celebra'tions Stamp and Die Set and the leaves are Foliage.

Using pearls for the flower centres provides a pretty touch too.

I really enjoy creating layouts, it's where I started on my crafting journey and I always

feel comfortable returning to what I feel confident with.

So, after talking to the geeks and trawling through a lot of info on the internet
I've finally worked out why there is CAPTCHA on my blog - this is when you leave
a comment and it asks you to type a series of numbers like this...

If you have a Google/Blogger account and you are signed in you need not do this,

just comment and press 'publish'.

If you do not have a Google/Blogger account it is really simple to make one.

There is lots of clear information here and truly hope it helps,

I know how annoying it can be with all this geeky robot stuff!

Take care friends, how is the Christmas shopping going?

Tuesday Tip/Technique

Hello friends

Today is Tuesday Tip/Technique and this week I'm featuring 

selective embossing with Spellbinders® M-Bossabilities™ .

First off if you have a Wilkinsons near you see if you can grab a packet of these tags.

They are really good quality thick card and just begging to be altered!

 I've used one of them with Enchanted M-Bossabilities™  folder.

 I placed just half of the heart tag inside the folder, the other part sticking out the bottom 

of the folder.  I didn't even remove the twine..speedy!

 The sandwich is base plate, your folder with medium inside and Raspberry Spacer Plate.

The end result is lovely. 

You could decorate the blank area or it is a good place to write your message.

 Use the same selective embossing technique with envelopes.

I've inserted just the flap inside the folder.

The finished envelope - how about doing this with your Christmas card envelopes?

It really dresses them up. 

 And again with an envelope, I've inserted it into the folder diagonally for a different finish.

This is Flora.

Three ideas for selective embossing. 

M-Bossabilities are available on the website here and there are quite a few

in Pre-Loved too.

Take care friends, I'm back tomorrow.

Surprise Gifts and Winner!

Hello friends

We received a lovely surprise yesterday....

gifts from Kathy - she is the lovely lady who owns the Alpaca farm and has been 

a blog follower and friend of mine for quite a few years now.
She had beautifully wrapped everything with such pretty tags
and she knows me well...Layered Poinsettia!

First up Bella opened her gift...

 Bless her - once it was opened she waited until I said she could eat them!

 And then the cats had a turn, this is Lilly - one of the kittens.

 It wasn't long until her big brother came along too.

Saving treats for the grown up cats too - yes we are overrun with pets!

And then my turn..I probably should have waited until Christmas but I was too excited.
From Alpaca wool Kathy has made the most beautiful wrap/shawl.
I love it.

Thank you so much Kathy, I know how busy you are working on the farm and
I feel so special that you put aside time and made this for me.
Be sure to check out Kathy's website here.

Now to the raffle for the Christmas stocking.

As promised Bella was set to work, investigating the bowl of tickets.

 A swift decision - hence the blurred image!

 It was then a little battle to get her to relinquish the ticket!

 And here it is, just slightly chewed!  Also being investigated by Lilly!

Congratulations to number 139.
Check your tickets please and drop me an email hope-chances@live.co.uk

I've heard from some of you that to leave a comment my blog is asking for word verification,
'prove you're not a robot' stuff - no idea why this appearing, I have it switched off!
Going to get the geeks (the boys) to investigate further, so sorry about that.

I hope you are all keeping warm, truly feels like winter with the thick frosts we are having.

Take care friends.

Another Money Wallet Idea

Hello friends

 

Following on from all the lovely comments yesterday I thought I would show

you another idea for a money wallet. 

This works with any of the Curved Border dies or Edgeabilities.

Take a piece of card and score and fold inward from each side.

Sorry about the shadow in the photos - dull days and wrong lights!

Attach one of the decorative die cuts to the left hand panel.

Layer up more die cuts on both sides.

Switch to landscape and I've added some decorative paper (Carta Bella),

you can of course go festive.

You could insert a pretty gift card - not an Oyster travel card!   

 Or money...of course.

 A close up pic.

Please stop by tomorrow for the announcement of the Christmas Stocking winner.

Bella is picking out the winner - should be interesting photos!

 

Also celebrations in our home this weekend, Elliott's had amazing results

from an eye test (King's check his eyes regularly as it is a good indicator as to whether

the tumour is growing again). His eyesight in his dodgy eye is actually improving,

it's surprised the doctors and we are thrilled. 

 

 

Take care friends.

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

Friday Die Day is here and this week I'm featuring one of the beautiful dies from the
Victorian Collection - Victorian Medallion One.
The set consists of 3 dies:
Accent: 1½ x 1⅜”
Inset: 3⅞ x 4⅜”
Border: 4 x 4½”

This is how the complete set looks cut/embossed.

This Friday's project is a gift card/money wallet.

Select an envelope that has a flap with a straight edge.

Fold down the middle and then apply adhesive as shown.

Seal the flap closed and you will see it has created a pocket on either side.

Next, I've taken my die cut and folded it in half.

I've placed it over the folded edge of my money wallet and stuck it down.

Next, wrapped around a little twine and a Back to Basics Tag with a stamped sentiment.

The wallet can be used for cash too or perhaps both!

The finished project, added a tiny flower and foliage for a finishing touch.

Some close up pics.

The boys are hoping to receive one of these...not empty mind!

Victorian Medallion One is available here (on special offer!)
It reminds me of a large snowflake and the fall out from the edge next to the middle section
looks like a bird in flight...it does honest, take a look!

Take care friends and have a brilliant weekend, I'm still shopping!