Summer Holidays

Yes, it's me, yes I'm back!  Sorry for the prolonged absence.  I thought I would blog more often being on holiday but it just hasn't worked out that way.  I am back to work tomorrow (shock to the system!), so I thought I would do a round up of the summer holidays.

 

This has probably been the best summer holiday for a few years. I have spent time with my family, I have had time to relax and recharge, time to be creative and time to complete jobs.  Here's what I've been up to:

 

Despite initially not being bothered, I was completely caught up in the Olympics.  I felt very proud to be British and very proud of how we came across to the rest of the world.  It was just amazing.

 

We have decorated Edward's bedroom.  It started off with just tidying and throwing things away, and escalated into full on stripping!  New colour on the walls, new flooring, new bedding etc.

 

We had a lovely holiday in Kent with my parents.  We stayed in a great house in Westgate-on-Sea and spent lots of time on the beach, walking the dog and just relaxing.  There were trips to Whitstable and Broadstairs, and a great little shell grotto in Margate.

 

Edward had a week away in Centre Parcs with a friend, so Emily and I had a week together catching up on films (mainly Harry Potter!).

 

I have been to a couple of Scrapbook crops.

 

I have just returned from a Scrapbook Retreat - 3 days and 2 nights in a lovely hotel.  Super meals and great company.  I have never spent so long crafting (it was very tiring!).  The photos below show some views of the hotel, as well as the layouts I completed.

 

 

I made a card - well it was our 18th wedding anniversary, so it had to be done!  The design is a complete copy from one that Vicky Hayes made (see it here ) which I loved so much.  Vicky has such inspiring ideas, do check out her blog, it's incredible.

 

The card is made from white card stock.  The hearts are cut from Nestabilities.  I glued three red hearts together, scored down the middle, to make it look 3D.  I used a Swiss Dots embossing folder on the left hand panel.  This design is so versatile and I know I will be making many more cards in this style (in fact I am planning my Christmas cards around this look).

 

 

And after months of worrying myself silly, Emily started college yesterday and seems to love it.  She has had a tough couple of years and I let out a big sigh of relief when things went well yesterday.  A new chapter has started for her, and she is on the way to achieving her dreams of becoming a teacher.

 

So now, after all that, I can go back to work feeling refreshed and hopefully stress free.  With any luck I will be back soon with another card to show you.

 

Thanks for dropping by and sticking with me.  I really appreciate your comments.

 

Take care.

 

Michelle x

From the Heart

Here is the card I made for Mark for Valentine's Day (bit late to share, but never mind!).

I made the card blank from a sheet of Kraft card, it's a 14cm square.  I used my new Nestabilities to punch out the hearts.  Then I cut a square of red glitter paper slightly small than the card and stuck it behind the cut outs.  Finally I stamped the sentiment (from a set by Marion Emberson) and drew in the stitching effect.  Simple but effective.

Hope you are having a good day.  My boy is back from his skiing trip tomorrow morning, and I am champing at the bit to see him.  It's been a long week with no contact at all and I miss his cuddles.  No doubt he will be shattered from an 18 hour coach trip from Italy, but I am sure the lure of his Xbox will keep him awake!

Thanks for dropping by.  Take care.

Michelle x

Catch-up

Hi folks!  Thanks for dropping by.  Am I glad it's half term, last week was complete madness!  I am so looking forward to a calm, quiet week.

Thank goodness the snow is starting to disappear,  It just looks horrible and dirty now.  I have to say that all the ice made me spend last week worrying that Edward would slip over and break something before we got him safely off on his skiing trip.  I know that sounds neurotic, but it's just the sort of thing that would happen.  Anyway, I am pleased to report that he did get off safely on Friday afternoon, and I have heard from another parent, that they arrived safely.  Edward didn't take is phone, so it's going to be really difficult for me having no contact with him.

Emily and I had a great night out on Saturday at the O2 Arena, watching Snow Patrol.  It was absolutely fantastic and it did my heart good to see Emily having such a good time.  Emily and I are huge Snow Patrol fans, and they are a great live band.

Yesterday I went to the Stamperama show in Stevenage with my mum.  I wasn't intending to go but the lure of a craft show was too strong!  I paid a little visit to the Craftwork Cards stand to see what was new (may have made a little purchase or two!).  I was fairly restrained at the show and we only stayed for a couple of hours.  I did buy a set of heart Nestabilites, as well as a couple of stamps from Little Claire's, and some scrapbooking paper for Emily's book - see, not too extreme!

I'm waiting for my February Stampin' Up order to arrive, it's so exciting!  I've already planned for March - I am well and truly hooked.  Also looking forward to my Sale-a-bration goodies coming.

Anyway, I did manage to make a few cards last weekend.  They are all from the Secret Garden Project of the Month kit from Craftwork Cards.  As I said before, the colours are so soft and subtle, with just a hint of sparkle, gorgeous.

Well, I'm off to make Mark a Valentines card (nothing like leaving it until the last minute!). Have a good day.

Michelle x x

More Flowers

Hi all, hope your Monday has been OK. 

The cards I am sharing with you today took me ages to make, seriously I really mean it!

First I cut a circular aperture from a 12cm x 12cm white card, using my Cuttlebug and one of my circle Nestabilities.  Then I stamped the flower 12 times (3 colours, 4 of each) on plain white card.  Cutting each flower out was more time consuming than fiddly.  I randomly stuck them inside the aperture, joining them by the petals.  Then using a scalloped and then the same circular Nestabilities I made a frame from coloured cardstock, which I adhered around the aperture.  Finally I added some Glossy Accents to the centre of each flower to add some definition.

Ingredients

Card : Craftwork Cards

Cardstock : From collection

Stamp : Candi Stamps - Craftwork Cards

Inks : Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive - Stampin' Up

Glossy Accents

Hope you like it.  The only thing I haven't figured out, is where to write the message!

Take care and thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

Four Frames

Hi everyone.  Hope all is well with you.  Today I am sharing with you two cards that I made last weekend with the Four Frames stamps and coordinating punch from Stampin' Up.  I loves these stamps, particularly the dotty one (love all things dotty!).  The stamps are so versatile as you can put any sentiment you like in them.

The card blanks were ones I cut myself from a sale pack of A5 card from Craftwork Cards.  They measure 10cm x 10xm - perfect for notecards or thank you cards.

Ingredients

Purple card : Craftwork Cards

Paper : The Bloomsbury Collection - Kanban

Stamp and Punch : Four Frames - Stampin' Up

Ribbon : Grosgrain from collection

Sentiment : Find Joy Every Day - Marion Emberson

Inks : Rich Razzlebery, Old Olive - Stampin' Up

Ingredients

Cream card : Craftwork Cards

Paper : The Canterbury Collection - Kanban

Stamp and Punch : Four Frames - Stampin' Up

Ribbon : Grosgrain from collection

Sentiment : Find Joy Every Day - Marion Emberson

Ink : Tempting Turquoise - Stampin' Up

I'm not generally a fan of Kanban, but I really like these papers.  They are very good quality and the designs are so elegant.

I've planned my next Stampin' Up order and have managed to persuade Mark to buy me something for Mothers Day (I've promised he can keep it until the day and wrap it up!!).  I love the Ink Spots and can't wait to get another set - I think I am going to go for the Subtles this time.  I definitely need to expand my range.

I hope you have managed to sneak in some crafting time today.  I spent the whole morning cleaning up after the dog - there was more mud on the floor than in the garden!  I have managed to spend a couple of hours making cards this afternoon though, so that made up for it.

Chloe seems to have calmed down at night.  She is still howling pathetically, but it's each night it's gets less and less.  I think she has finally got the message (famous last words!!).

Take care and thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

Catching Up

It's been a funny week.  The weather has been hideous, all that wind has been so scary.  On Tuesday I got absolutely soaked to the skin just popping into town for an hour.  My umbrella was worse than useless in the wind.  Wednesday was back to work and school, which wasn't too bad, like I had never been away.  It was a bit sad taking all the decorations down on Friday night, the place looks so bare now.

Yesterday was Mark's birthday, and to celebrate we went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at the cinema and then afterwards we went for a Thai meal.  We enjoyed the film but preferred the original Swedish version.  I think if I hadn't seen the original I would have liked the new one more (Daniel Craig is an added bonus though!!).  The Thai meal was excellent too, so all in all, a very enjoyable evening.

From a craft point of view, there's a lot of things going on that I am very excited about.  Firstly, I am definitely joining the scrapbooking crop on Saturday.  It's a local group called Scrapbags and they meet once a month in a village hall near to where I live.  I am excited but also very nervous.  I don't know how much stuff to take, what to take etc.  The advice I have been given is to plan a few layouts and pick papers and embellishments for each one.  I'll let you know how things are going and will hopefully have some layouts to show you.

Another thing I am enjoying is Art Journaling.  I have painted two backgrounds so far and just need to pluck up the courage to add some journaling.  I have discovered that I am not frightened of the paint and you can't really go wrong.  There's another journaling project I want to try, where you make a monthly calender - check out The Kathryn Wheel blog (here) to see what I mean.  I'm not sure if I am going to do it, as I don't want to take on too much - we'll see how it goes.

I'm keen to add more lovely Stampin' Up products to my collection so I have joined the Stampers 6 club on this clever lady's blog (here).  You commit to spending a certain amount of money each month for 6 months, and one month you are the hostess,  It's all very exciting!!

Finally, on to the card I have made this weekend.  It's a 40th birthday card for a friend at work.

Ingredients

Patterned paper : The Canterbury Collection by Kanban

Purple Cardstock and ribbon from collection

Glitter : Martha Stewart

Ovals : Nestabilities

Punch : Martha Stewart

Well, I hope you like it and thanks for dropping by.  I hope you have had a good week and I'm off to have a peek at what you've been doing.

Take care.

M x

Happy New Year!

I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope that 2012 is a good year for everyone.  On a personal note, 2011 was without doubt, the worst year I have ever had and I am not sorry it is over.  But I do feel that this year will be a much better one - here's hoping! 

I don't know about you, but I haven't made any resolutions this year, mainly due to the fact that I usually break them!

My personal goals are still to craft more, and to take better care of myself.  I also need to restrain myself with my craft purchases (my stash overwhelms me most of the time!).

The main thing I HAVE to achieve this year is to make a real start on a scrapbook for Emily's 18th birthday in June 2013.  I have just less than 18 months to do it, and I need to complete at least one layout a month, at the very least.  I am hoping to join a crop once a month, where I will have 7 hours to craft - bliss!  So I need to get organised, make a plan, and to start putting together some paper and embellishments.  Watch this space for my progress.

Today was the last day of my holiday, and aside from getting soaked to the skin popping into town, and writing 52 thank you letters to the children in my two classes, I have actually made a card.  It's for a friend's new grandson who was only born this morning. (Excuse the fact that it looks wonky, it's the scanning, not my card making!!).

Ingredients

All products by Craftwork Cards

Well, that's me for tonight.  Time to go to bed and hopefully get a good night's sleep.  See you next time, thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

With Sympathy

I ummed and ahhed whether to post this card or not.  It is the first sympathy card I have ever made and it is for a dear friend of mine who lost her husband very suddenly last week.  The funeral is tomorrow.

M x

Christmas Money Wallets

Well, it's been a while.  Things have been rather hectic to say the least, but I bet everyone else is in the same position.  I am pleased to say that I have pretty much finished my Christmas shopping and most things have been wrapped too.  Today I have been writing Christmas cards, as well as making a couple more.  I have a couple of parcels to post and that is pretty much that.  The next job is to plan the food - haven't really given it much thought yet, except that I have made a Christmas cake.  I used the Waitrose Delia Smith cake in a box and am really pleased with how it has turned out.  Much less hassle than buying all the dried fruit that will sit in the cupboard for ever more.

I am giving my nephew and niece money for Christmas and I wanted to make them something nice to put the money in, hence the money wallets below.  I used a landscape folded card and decorated the front with papers that were free gifts, used matching embellishments for the envelopes.  Then I cut a semi-circle freehand inside to hold the money.  (Just got to find the cash now!!).

I have started a new crochet blanket for Edward - colours chosen by him - which I hope to share with you this week if I have time.  We are now in the final push at work - just got to get through Christmas parties tomorrow, panto at Stevenage on Tuesday, Christmas lunch and staff panto on Wednesday, Christingle on Thursday and then we break up on Friday - if I last that long!!

Ta ta and have a good week.  Thanks for dropping by.

M x

Craft Fair

Today was the culmination of all my weeks of hard work.  I had plenty of stock ready, flower brooches, hair clips, note cards, post-it-note holders, note pads, Christmas tree decorations etc.  Yesterday I decided to get a box of cards ready to sell as well (you never know), so I spent a couple of hours printing and cutting inserts as well as cutting hand made labels, and bagging the cards and envelopes in cellophane bags.

I was quite pleased with how my stall looked although I could have done with a bit more space.  Mark suggested I take my laptop and have a slide show running with all my special commissions, but unfortunately the table wasn't big enough.

Such a shame that I barely sold anything!  I am really disappointed as I have worked so hard.  I don't think it was just my stall though, because the whole hall was really quiet - there was a slow trickle of people for a couple of hours and then nothing.  I think the problem was that it wasn't advertised properly.

So now I have a lot of stock and no where to sell to sell it.  I am thinking of opening an Ebay or Etsy shop in the New Year.  Heigh ho, never mind.

It's been quite a tough week with one thing and another - Edward has been sick, Emily hasn't had a good week, work's been a pain.  The best thing that has happened was on Friday when I had a Christmas Shopping day and Mark and I went to Watford.  I did get most of my shopping done, as well as treating myself to a new pair of shoes, oh and a couple of tops too!

I hope you have all had a better week.

M x

Craft Fair Goodies

Morning all.  Phew, it's been quite a busy weekend in the Frecklepuss household this weekend - well mainly for me actually.  With just one week to go before my craft fair, I have been frantically trying to get everything finished off and packaged.  I'm now finally able to show you some of my creations.

These six packs of cards are my new designs of note cards.  Apologies for the quality of the photo.

Here are all the note cards in more detail.  For this first one, I used some paper that was a free gift from a magazine. These free papers are ideal for this sort of thing.  I made a paper ribbon from black card stock and punched the tag from my new EK Success punch (a really useful one).  The sentiment is stamped from a pack of clear stamps I have had for a while - not sure who they are by.

This next set is very Cath Kidston-esque!  The papers were another free gift, but they are actually from Craftwork Cards.  A bit too floral for me personally but ideal for this look.

I used up scraps from one of my all time favourite paper stacks - Making Memories Boho Chic.  This nine square style is so easy to make, but very effective.  I finished it off with some Prima flowers and a little bit of bling.

Another Cath Kidston inspired look, same papers as before.  The scalloped edges are punched with my favourite Fiskars punches.

Again. more free papers and Fiskars scalloped punch.  The daisy is a Martha Stewart punch which I haven't used nearly enough.  The sentiment is from a Marion Emberson set of stamps.  I added a touch of glitter glue in the centre of the flowers.

And finally, same as above really except that I added a couple of Petaloo flowers as a focal point.  I think the sentiment is a Paula Pascual stamp.

These kept me busy for a while as I had to make five of each design.  I have made matching notebooks which I will show you another day.

I did find time to go to the cinema to see the next instalment of the Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part 1.  I had booked the tickets weeks ago because I wanted to see it the weekend it was released.  It was a great film and now I can't wait for Part 2.  I will probably have to read the books again soon (have lost count of how many times I have read them!).

I am definitely Team Edward - even before I saw Robert Pattinson in the role.  Mark is very tolerant of my obsession thank goodness!

Well off to get back to the mundane jobs such as washing and ironing - the penance for yesterday I guess.  Have fun!

M x

Hi all.

I've been up to my eyes in crafting over the last two weeks, desperately trying to make stock for the stall I'm having at a local Christmas Craft Fair next weekend.  The problem is, that nothing is completely ready.  Everything is either in need of finishing off, or mounting or wrapping.  I've been working most nights trying to get through it all, and then of course trying to take photos at the moment is hard - the light is so poor.  I'm hoping to make major inroads at the weekend so that I can relax a bit next week. and hopefully I will have things to share with you.

I do have one card to show you however.  Yesterday was my Mum's birthday and here is the card I made for her.

All the products are from the Shabby Vintage project of the month kit from Craftwork Cards.  I took inspiration from the ideas sheet that came with the kit, but made a few changes.  My mum was thrilled with the card, and I have to say I am rather pleased with how it turned out.  This is the first card I have made from this kit so far.  It's very different from my usual style but it's good to do something different.

So, who is feeling bogged down by Christmas!  Me!!!  I can't get my head around it this year.  Usually by now I am much more organized, but not this year.  I am having to force myself to think about it, and my brain is resisting!  I have a day off next Friday and my mission is to go to a big shopping centre (hell on earth!!) and stay there until everything is done!  Wish me luck, I'll need it!

M x

P.S. I'm off to see the next instalment of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn Part 1, at the cinema on Saturday - I am beyond excited!!

A Touch of Greenery

Here's another card from my recent bout of creativity.  Again, a very simple card, and one I think would suit both male and female.

Ingredients

Stamps : All by Marion Emberson

Ink : Brilliance

Card stock from stock

I've got another card that I want to show you, that I made this week.  It fits the bill perfectly for the Less is More challenge blog - the subject being Polka Dots.  The only problem is that the card is for my Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary on Monday, and the final submission for the challenge is tomorrow, and my parents do read my blog - so what to do?  Ban them from reading the blog until Monday or not submit?

This week has been half term and a bit of a funny old week.  I've had very little motivation for anything, which is a bit worrying.  My dog is going through her first season (it's a bit of an eye-opener!!), and my kids are bickering.  It almost (not quite though) makes me wish I was back at work!!

Hope you are having a more productive week.

M x

Sunshine and Flowers

This is the final card from my recent card making session.  Again I've gone for something relatively simple, although the stamping had to be done in stages and was a bit time consuming.  The whole look is rather summery which, given the weather at the moment, makes me feel a bit brighter.

Ingredients

Stamp : Sunshine and Flowers by Marion Emberson

Ink : Versamagic - Persimmon, Pretty Petunia and Oasis Green

Ribbon and card stock from stash

Enjoy the rest of your week.  Take care.

M x

More Pretties

Here's another card from my weekend of playing.  Purple is my favourite colour, so I particularly like this one.  Again, it is very simple.  I have had a lot of fun stamping and colouring, getting back to the basics and to what drew me to card making 16 years ago (although my style has changed considerably!).

Ingredients

Stamps : Thanks a Bunch by Marion Emberson

Promarkers : Bluebell, Purple and Violet

Cardstock and gems from stock

Hope you have had a good Monday.  We have had to succumb to the heating tonight.  Gosh isn't it getting chilly?!

M x

Pretty Flowers

Here's one of the cards that I made this weekend.  Quite a productive weekend actually,  I am feeling like I have my crafting mojo back - I just want to keep making cards and do nothing else! Sadly, work looms tomorrow - but hey, it's half term in 5 days - hurrah!!

Ingredients

Stamped image : Thanks a Bunch by Marion Emberson

Promarkers : Magenta and Poppy

Embellishments : Ribbon and button from stock

Hope you like it.  Come back soon for some more cards.  Have a good week.

M x

More Flowers

Another card from last weekend.  Again, I have used some of my new stamps from Marion Emberson and coloured in the image with Promarkers.  I'm rather partial to my Fiskars' edge punches at the moment, as well as a touch of ribbon.  The colour scheme is not my usual choice, but I really like it.

Ingredients

Stamp : Sunshine and Flowers by Marion Emberson

Promarkers : Amber and Fuchsia Pink

Ribbon : From stash

Scalloped Edge Punch : Fiskars

I'm really hoping to make some more cards tomorrow.  Apart from the usual washing, ironing, shopping etc, we have nothing planned this weekend, which is nice after a really hectic, difficult week.  Heigh ho - one more week until half term! 

Happy crafting!

M x

Flower Power

Had a little card making session over the weekend, getting back to my roots - stamping and colouring.  I've made no secret of my love of Marion Emberson's stamps, and I finally got the time to have a little play.  I must say I really enjoyed the simplicity of stamping and colouring and adding a little embellishment with ribbon and sparkle, and my appetite has been whetted for more cards of this type.

For today's card, I coloured it in with my Promarkers, using my favourite colours.  Obviously there are plenty of options available.  I stamped the image three times, more or less in a straight line and just used two colours so it wasn't overly busy.  I made the little bow on the ribbon and stuck it down with Pinflair glue (in a syringe) -  I am quite impressed with the glue, I've never used it before.  I added a little bit of Glamour Dust in the centre of the flowers because I do like a little bit of sparkle!

Ingredients

Stamps : Flowers - Thanks a Bunch and Happy Birthday sentiment - Sunshine and Flowers

both by Marion Emberson

Promarkers : Orchid and Mulberry

Grosgrain ribbon and jewel from stash

Glitter in centre of flowers : Glamour Dust

Hope you like the card.  I feel very pleased with how it turned out.

I hope to share with you my Flower Garden blanket soon, I just have to finish the edging.  I am so pleased that it is almost finished - over 700 hexagons completed - wow!

I am really looking forward to half term (a week and a half to go), as work is getting me down a bit, but I feel in a way that other things have turned a corner.  That small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel is definitely burning brighter.  I might even start to feel that life is getting better (although now I am scared I have tempted fate!).  Maybe soon I will feel like sharing.  All I will say at this point is that it has been a very long, hard year.

Hope you are all having a good week,  Take care.

M x

And last but by no means least . . . .

My commissions are finally finished - phew!  It's taken me a while but I got there in the end.

I am particularly pleased with this offering and I hope the recipient loves it too.  The papers are new although I have had them a while (if you know what I mean lol!), and the same goes for the Nestability that I used to cut the flower - bought at Alexandra Palace last year and never used.  I love the colours in the paper and the subtle use of glitter.

Ingredients

Base card - Large cream scalloped - Craftwork Cards

Paper - The Linen Closet - DCWV

Candy - Craftwork Cards

Hope you are all having a good week.  Mine has been quite busy.  Mark has just come back from another work jolly - it's really not on!!  Work is a bit mad - deadlines for display boards looming.  I am split between two year groups this year, so I never feel that I am getting anything finished.  I've got 31 pieces of writing to trim and mount by Friday, as well as titles, and embellishments to make, to add to the display.  Not to mention making an enormous flower with 31 petals, each petal representing a child in the class, and they have to write a message on it to say how they have been respectful!  Nothing like leaving things until the last minute!!

Anyway, have fun.

M x

Fifty again!!!!

Apparently yesterday was World Card Making Day (or something like that), so what better incentive is needed to get the crafty stuff out!  This card is the penultimate one from a long list of significant age cards commissioned by a good friend of mine.  It was quite difficult to come up with a new design but I am very happy with how this one turned out.

Ingredients

Base card : Large scalloped - Craftwork Cards

Papers :The Bloomsbury Collection - Kanban

Candi : Craftwork Cards

Glitter : Martha Stewart - Golden Beryl

Thanks for visiting.  Enjoy the lovely sunshine, and fingers crossed it lasts a bit longer.

M x