Crafting in the Bedroom

Hi Girls I am BACK

2010-05-27T06:59:00.000+01:00

Hi all my dear friends, how I have missed you all, I have been computer less for 2 months, and my Uncle has kindly loaned me his PC so that I can get back online, How Fabulous is HE, Mike is my Uncle, but I have always thought off him as a big brother, as there is only 6 years between us, him being older off course, LOL.

I will try and give you an update of things that have happened over the last 2 months, last time we spoke, I was going off to a Craft Retreat with Tuesday Taggers and what a fabulous time we had, it was so great meeting the girls that I have been working with since July in the Flesh, and they are now ALL very dear and lifelong friends...

My Computer broke whilst in transit that week, then my poor Dog Fudge, started treatment for Cancer of her Lady Bits, she is 12 years old and fighting all the way, as are we, but you can imagine how huge the VETS bills are, hence the computer still being in the menders..

I have not been making any Cards, as I have boxes and boxes off them, but I have been altering items, for my daughters room, I will take a picture, once I find the Camera lead, another thing that I have not used since the weekend away.....

I have been spending quality time with my Son Kenneth, who is going off to the Army on 10th October this year, something he has wanted for many years, but was rejected at 16 as he suffered migraines, as a teenager, but he applied again, and has been accepted, so goes to Yorkshire (I place I LOVE) to start training in October, and I am sure that once he is away, he will not be home much, and I will miss him greatly.

Today I am going off to Glasgow with Jenny, whose exams finished yesterday, and she is being treated to a nice Dress, for a wedding that she is going to in June....so I am off to have a bath and get ready, very soon.

I will be back tomorrow as Winter Wonderland and Tuesday Taggers have welcomed me back, after my long absence, and I think with everything going on, that is what I will be concentrating on, I have stepped down, from ECP and Sophisticats, and am trying to contact Linnie at CDM, I have missed you all desperately, but, have enjoyed this 2 months, just concentrating on my family, who support me so well, with my illness and my crafting, so it was a kind off thank you to them, for all their support, i.e. my Son woke me up this morning at 5.30 with a Cup of Tea and my Tablets (as they take about 2 hours to kick in in the morning). and he ran my bath, how fabulous is that.....I am going to miss him....

I will be back to normal tomorrow girls, if I can find my camera bits....OUCH....Hope you are all keeping very well, I LOVE you all so much and look forward to seeing your creations and being in touch again....Avril xxxxxxx

Mint Green, Lilac, 1 other Colour and FLOWERS at Sophisticats WK27

2010-03-22T08:00:00.001Z

Please scroll down for Cute Daisy May challenge

As below my dear friends, another post that I hope goes off in time, and most probably not with the correct amount of details, which I will add, as I go along....this week at Sophisticats, our lovely Tracy, has given us a Colour Combo with an ADDED MUST, which is Lilac, Mint Green, 1 other Colour and Must have Flowers.....I have used Easter Anya from the Greetings Farm, and teamed it up with Pink Gem's Horace, which was free in Craft Stamper April 2010 issue, I also followed the Sketch for Pink Gem CH2, hope you like it girls, and I will be back tomorrow with an update, but I am hoping to have a long lie, as I know that the weekend will have been hectic, so Brian is getting up with Tommy to see him off to school...fingers crossed....Love to all Avril xxxx

Fairies at Cute Daisy May

2010-03-22T01:00:00.001Z

I am hoping upon hope that these posts go off as planned, as I will have, by the time you read these have been and come back from Beamsley, where I am sure I would have had a wonderful weekend meeting new friends and learning new crafts, these will be short posts, but I am sure I will have to add more details during the day, so please bear with me....our lovely Net has chosen Fairies as her theme, for Cute Daisy May this week, I have used one off my favourite images from sheet.......and used the Sketch - WK43 at Promarkers, to show her off, I hope you like it, Love to all, Avril xxx

An Aperture Card at Winter Wonderland

2010-03-21T09:00:00.001Z

A lovely Sunday morning, my dear friends, and isn't cyber space wonderful, I am in Skipton, N.Yorkshire, and this is going off, if I have done it correctly, this morning in Edinburgh.

Our fabulous Danielle has choosen, Aperture Card with (optional Scene), for this week at Winter Wonderland, and we have a treat for you all with our New DT girls, joining us, Marianne, Kate, Janet & Mandy, so please pop over to their blogs and give them your support, they have come up with some fabulous projects and done us proud. Our Sponsor this week, is our Old teamie the super talented Teri at Delicious Doodles, who has very kindly donated 3 off her awesome Digital Images, I don't know if you have been over to Teri's store recently, if not, you are in for a treat, as she has more and more beautiful images for using on your projects, like the "Sitting Westie" who is popping his cards in the postbox, for his wee friend, sitting on the wall...all the other goodies for this card from Patchwork Pals. I am also going to enter this into For Fun Challenges, WK5 who also want a Scene, I will be travelling home today, after spending time with my Craft Friends, so I will report tomorrow, how the weekend went, hope you have all had a Super Weekend, Much Love Avril xxxxxx

Jester/Masquerade Ball & Clowns at Tuesday Taggers

2010-03-16T08:41:00.002Z

Well my dear friends, I got behind, somewhere last week, and just never caught up on myself, so apologies, for the lateness of this post, hopefully things will improve this week....although with the Craft Retreat, at the weekend, I have less time than usual, YIKEES..

This is my week at Tuesday Taggers and I have picked the theme of Jester/Masquerade Ball, or Clown and I think I gave some of my sisters a headache, but as usual they did me proud, and have come up with some fabulous projects, as did our Guest Designer Dawn , so pop over and see the fab projects and have a go...I have 2 projects, 1 Card, which I used the Loralie, products, on, so it can be as easy as this, or The Mask, which I printed out, coloured in with Promarkers, went over with Marvy Embossing pens, and used Clear embossing powder for that sparkle, added gems and feathers, (which made me sneeze all night, as I am allergic to feathers, etc, )....The mask came in a RAK from a very dear friend off mines. Our Super Talented Teri, has drawn some fabulous images if you want to take part in our challenge and are struggling for ideas......I am going to enter the card into One Stop Craft CH71 who want Spots & Dots.I hope you can all enjoy this challenge, and join us.....Love Avril xxxx

New Beginnings at Sophisticats - CH26

2010-03-15T09:00:00.003Z

Hi girls this week at Sophisticats CH26 our lovely Diane has chosen New Beginnings as a theme, and our DT girls have come up with some fantastic cards for this theme, mines is a New Baby Boy card, using an Image from CDM - Sheet 1, and teamed it up with FF Baby papers and FF - Pink Parfait papers, added lace and charm etc from stash..There are Die cuts from Lisa for this weeks prize, please pop over tomorrow and find out the winners off last weeks, challenge, so that I can send out the prize.....hope you like it girls, Love Avril xxxx

Please Scroll down for the Cute Daisy May Challenge "Anything Goes"

Anything Goes at CDM, meets various Challenges

2010-03-15T01:00:00.002Z

A lovely Monday morning ladies and I hope that you have recovered from the Spoiling of Yesterday...LOL..I got some lovely cards and a box of Quality Streets, which Tommy choose, as he knows Granny Shares....did I taste one, I don't think so....at least the waistline did not suffer...

Today at CDM, Linnie says "Anything Goes", which is just fab, so come on girls, no excuse this week, any theme, any card, any atc, LO or altered item, is welcome into our challenge and for this there is a chance of a sheet off these fabulous Digi's and a Blinkie....you don't have to use a CDM image, but if you have one, get them out and join in. .I have used an image from Sheet 173, and teemed it up with the Promarker Challenge WK42 Colour Combo - Bright Green and Mango, which I think are quite funky together and suitable for one of my many Nieces birthday's this year, 7 off which turn 17....I am also entering this into Cute Card Thrusday CH103 who are celebrating their 2nd Blogversary with a challenge of CELEBRATION, and also The Secret Crafter Saturday, CH74 - "Anything Goes"....so come on girls get creating and join us this week....Love Avril xxxx

Victorian Christmas (distressing optional) at Winter Wonderland and Guest DT card for OSAAT, meets various challenges

2010-03-14T14:17:00.001Z

A very good Sunday afternoon, my dear friends, and a huge apology for the lateness off this post, I have been suffering so badly from the migraines, that my vision, went double yesterday, and the fatigue of my FMS, took hold, so I have just this minute finished my DT card for Winter Wonderland, which this weeks challenge was chosen by our Darling Pascale, who wants to see a Victorian Christmas with Optional distressing, there are so many variations of this theme, and our DT girls have made some awesome projects for you to look at and take inspirations from, I used a Digital Image, Tilly, which was free from Wendy, before xmas, and I think looks quite Victorian, I used Anna Griffin papers and embellishments, which just scream Victorian to me, don't you just love her goodies, I usually look at them, stroke them, and then put them away, this week I made an exception...We are being sponsored by Regina at Cutting Cafe, who is giving 3 digital files as a prize for this weeks challenge winner. .I would like to thank everyone who took part in our DT call, and we have chosen our new Girls, to join our team, they are:-

It was so difficult to choose, as usual, and hopefully you will all pop over and give the new girls your support.

The top 3 for last weeks Sketch challenge are:-

so please girls pop over and pick up your Top 3 badges and wear them on your blog with pride, Well Done...

I have used a sketch from Papertake Weekly SK36, and have added this card to Tellens Place - CH9 Green , and Pollycraft Challenges, WK35 who want Distressing (around the edges of the backing papers) I also want to add this to For Fun CHALLENGE, which is Green also.

Also here is the card for my Guest Spot at OSAAT CH4, which I won the other week, and was thrilled to be chosen, there challenge this week is a Recipe, off 1 Ribbon, 2 Brads/Eyelets and 2 Backing Papers, I love this wee cat image, and hope you girls do too, please pop over to OSAAT and join their challenge this week...and maybe you too can be a Guest in the weeks to come...

I am sorry for the longness off this post and please believe me when I say, that I would go on and on, if the head allowed....but suffice to say, that I wish you all a fantastic Sunday and hope all you Mothers out there are getting thoroughly spoiled....as you all so richly deserve.....much love and Happy Mothers Day, from Avril xxxx

ECP Challenge 8

2010-03-13T09:00:00.004Z

A lovely Saturday morning dear friends, hope you are all looking forward to a fantastic weekend, we start a new challenge here at ECP - which is a Colour Combo, I used another CDM image from Sheet 174, a boy this time, which is a card for my Nephew, cannot get over how much this image looks like him.....our sponsors this week are Sunshine Stamps who are donating a $20 voucher to the winner off this challenge. I have also added my card to Corrosive Challenges, CH54 - Sketch, which I liked as it was not too fussy, also adding it to Crafty Catz Weekly CH23 which is "Something for the Boys" hope you like it my dear friends....Love Avril xxxx

One card for Several Challenges

2010-03-10T18:40:00.001Z

A very good Wedensday evening, dear friends, I am sorry I have AWOL, since yesterday morning, but I have had a massive migraine, that just lifted this afternoon, thankfully, as I had a Commisioned card to do, for the boys in Brian's work, who go golfing and forgot, a certain young ladies 18th birthday last month, I have to still, add their stupid message, but I left it out, for the minute, more because I am waiting on Brian bringing more Ink in for my printer...

I followed the Sketch at Moving Along with the Times, CH36, who also wanted "One for the Girls", OSAAT, CH3, want colour combo, Pink and Purple, Ooh-la-la , CH49, Anything Goes, Kaboodle Doodles, CH26 Happy Birthday, Cupcake Crafts, CH81, Flower Power, Crafty Calendar CH6, Flower Power also and Quirky Crafts, CH23 want Buttons....I used a Cute Daisy May image, Sheet 174, coloured her with promarkers, they guys wanted an A4 card, so hopefully the sketch worked out...mainly I hope Laura, will like the card....

I am off the check out the challengers, before I get back to some more crafting, this weekend is a busy one for my DT wise, as ECP begins on Friday and it goes on each day until Tuesday....so please don't be angry with me if I struggle to visit your blogs, you know how much I love you ALL and love your cards....have a great night...Love Avril xxxx

St Patricks Day at Tuesday Taggers

2010-03-09T10:00:00.001Z

A very lovely Tuesday Morning my dear friends, today at Tuesday Taggers, our fabulous Teri, has chosen St. Patricks Day, as our theme, also we welcome as our Guest designer this week Gail, who has some awesome work on her blog, you should pop over and take a look, please, ...I decided to make a Gift Card to hold a Lottery Ticket, that I am going to send to my Mum and Step-dad, as a wee surprise...and hopefully it will be lucky for them, my step-dad is an avid Celtic supporter, so the colours and the Irish theme of St. Patrick, suits the card and the gift, perfectly, I picked up a free image from Dustin Pike, which I am sure you will agree is very cute...hope you like this my dear friends and hope you will take this chance to join our challenge this week, please pop over and see what our Awesome DT Sisters have come up with this week.

I am adding this card to Cute Card Thursday CH102 which is "Lucky Green" and Crafty Catz Weekly CH22 who want Shades of Green, Option of St. Patricks Day. I think this also fits into Prairie Fairy - WK 9 - Lucky Green.
Love Avril xxxx

CH25 -Flourishes & Bling at Sophisticats

2010-03-08T08:00:00.002Z

This week, our leader Lisa has choosen Flourishes and Bling for this weeks challenge, the flourishes on her card can be purchased from her shop at Allissas Papertown. Our DT girls have come up with their own take on the challenge and as per usual some fantastic work is over on the challenge blog for all to see...mines is made with a gorgeous image that was given to me in a RAK from a very good friend (you know who you are, thank you so much, love these images).

We have a couple of Rubber Stamps up for grabs this week, brand new, just out off the packet...

I am adding this card to the challenges at Creative Card Crew, whose theme is "It's a Celebration" and Gingersnap Creations - CG45 - who have the theme Celebrate.

Please scroll down for details of Cute Daisy May Challenge

Mothers Day at Cute Daisy May and various challenges

2010-03-08T01:00:00.002Z

A very lovely Monday morning my dear friends and I sure you all had a fab weekend, can you believe how quickly we are getting through this year?

This week at Cute Daisy May our fabulous Max has choosen Mothers Day as our theme, and as usual all our DT girls have come up with awesome work, using Linnie's fabulous images, I have used on on Sheet 170, so cute, and good enough to eat I think...I followed the Sketch at For Fun Challenge 3, given by the talented and wonderful Stef...I also followed the Recipe at Papertake Weekly, which is Buttons, Bows, Brads & Bling, I am also going to enter this card into Simon Says Stamps Challenge who are asking for Mother Day, Girly, Tellens Place CH8 - Bling it Out, and Totally Papercrafts CH6 - Mothers Day/Special Lady, some challenges I have picked up visiting all the challengers blogs, so thanks girls, for making my life so much easier..LOL..hope you take the time to join us this week, I am sure all our Mother's will love having a card made with such beautiful and cute images, such as these....have a fab day girls, Much Love Avril xxxxx

Mad March Days at Dragons Dream Tag It On

2010-03-07T20:58:00.000Z

Hi dear friends, just a quick post before I go up to Bedfordshire...LOL, I am so very tired, been up since 6am this morning, and have crafted for most off the time, in between, mountains of washing and bedding, getting done, a woman's work is never done...LOL...

I had a play with my inks and things this afternoon to create a Tag for T29 at Dragons Dream Tag It On whose theme is Mad March Days, I typed out the background words and made a tag, inked with distress inks, and stamped some flower CD, images with an acrylic dabber, sorry if you are getting fed up off seeing that colour, but I only have 2 paint dabbers, Aqua and Black.....I then printed out a Lion image that I purchased a while back, and coloured him with inks and covered with crackle...I then printed out a Freebie Lamb, sorry I don't have the link to hand, but I will post it tomorrow, I coloured the lamb with white gel pen, added fluffy stuff, and accented it with glitter gel pens...added the ladybird (as I just love them, they are spring, in the making), and added a tassle from my stash...hope you like it girls, I used my TH book again for the inspiration and now have a list of wants as long as my arm...I am off to bed now, but I will be back probably 6am tomorrow morning, and hopefully get a chance to catch up with all you dear friends...I am off to the Craft Retreat a week on Friday and need to try and get all my DT work done for 2 weeks, as they are all, over the weekend, challenges, so I have been busy choosing images for the challenges to come, and dear friends, there are some Awesome challenges in the pipeline for you all....eyes closing now from tiredness, hope Brian has got the bed remade, don't ya just love the fresh washed smell of your bed...I do...can't wait...Love ALL, Avril xxxxx

New Beginnings at Winter Wonderland - WK41

2010-03-07T09:00:00.001Z

Well ladies, we have had a very emotional week at Winter Wonderland this week, having to say a very tearful goodbye to some off our wonderfully special DT girls, Joey due to family and new projects, Lesley, due to work and family commitments and Teri S, who is wanting to spend more time creating her Delicious Doodles mages and very kindly agreed to continue Sponsoring us, so please join us in thanking these fabulous girls, for all their work on the blog and wish them well in their future ventures...

We who were left behind, decided to have a little Spring Clean off our Challenge blog, so this WK41 - We have a sketch to follow and the theme New Beginnings....and if you pop over to the challenge blog, you will see our creations for this challenge..

We also have a new blinkie, for our Blog, as well as 2 major changes, from this week, we will be having a Top 3 - winners badge, for you girls to put on your blog, and also a Designer Spotlight, which will be for 2 people each month to join us as Guests...a lovely Blinkie has been created for those too...

With our team depleting, we are having a DT Call....so if anyone is interested in joining in our New Look Blog, please leave DT along with your name, when adding your cards to Mr Linkie, this week...

Card for 2 challenges

2010-03-05T16:15:00.001Z

Well dear friends it seems like ages since I have posted here, but honest I have been busy Card Making....I have had a fair few trips down to the shed, and I think that everything I need is here too hand, once Brian gets more shelves up for my glitter glues etc....this card is for 2 challenges, and is for a very dear friend, whom I hope does not visit here, until she has received it in the post....so .....Sh...........

1st I have followed the Sketch at Create 4 Fun - WK9, this is the first time I have entered this challenge, that I picked up along the way, whilst commenting on the Challengers to my various DT posts, see girls I do pay attention....2nd I am entering into Secret Crafter Saturday - CH72, who want "STITCHING"

The image was purchased from my dear friend Step at her Etsy Shop, you should pop over and see her stunning images.

I am hoping to get around to visiting you all tonight, as I am still busy cardmaking, for my DT posts, as I am hoping to get out off the house for a wee while tomorrow, I am going Stir Crazy, have not been over the door, since a week past Sunday....I hope you are all looking forward to a great weekend, I know that some off you will be visiting the SECC, and I wish I was joining you, but I have to give it a miss this time, as I am going down to a Craft Retreat, organised at the Tuesday Taggers, on the 19th March, which I am really excited about...so Glasgow is out....until October that is....LOL..have a fab weekend. Much love Avril xxxx

OSAAT - CH2 - Sketch & For Fun Challenges - Fairies and some news.

2010-03-02T14:24:00.001Z

For Details of Tuesday Taggers challenge, scroll down, thank

A fabulous Tuesday afternoon, the sun is splitting the pavements today here in Edinburgh, and my only dilemma is will I or won't I hang out my washing, how great a problem is that too have....LOL

I have a card here for One Stitch at a Time, CH2 which is a Sketch, and guess who won the 1st Challenge? yipe little ole me! how great is that and I have to thank Marianne for pointing it out to me....so sometime in the near future I will be a Guest DT for them, so watch this space....I am also entering this card into For Fun Challenges WK2 - which is Fairies...I am also going to be a Guest DT for this challenge blog, at the end of March, I am honestly chuffed to bits, by all this news girls....I used a stamp from Pink Gem which I have had for ages and never used it, used papers from my stash and coloured the image in with Promarkers, hope you like it dear friends.....and hope you will pop over and give these 2 new challenge blogs your support....Love to all. Avril xxxx

Swirls and Curls at Tuesday Taggers

2010-03-02T08:00:00.002Z

A lovely Tuesday Morning my dear friends, can you believe how fast the weeks are going by, I cannot believe this is a weeks since I posted my project for Tuesday Taggers, messy hands, which I have to say, the challengers who took part, made a fabulous job off...This week, our fabulous Pat has choosen "Swirls and Curls" and again I have used a project from TH "Compendium of Curiosities" and as I only have 2 paint dabbers at present, I was able to follow quite easily...I used the free stamp from Fabruary's issue of Craft Stamper, as there were swirls around the image....I also teamed it up with some of the Dawn Bibby design stamps. and added some Precious Pearls and a butterfly charm to complete....Our sponsor this week, is Crafty Individuals, so we ask that you post a link to them in your posting to be in with a chance off winning the prize this week....this is also the last week for our Guest Designers, to be with us, and I am sure you will agree that they have all done a terrifc job for us...so please pop over to either our Blog or their blogs and give them your support...I will be back with another posting later on, as I was busy crafting all day yesterday, such bliss....hope you will join us this week at Tuesday Taggers, love Avril xxx

Year of the Tiger, and Asian

2010-03-01T15:49:00.002Z

For details of Sophisticats and Cute Daisy May challenges, please Scroll Down...

Well dear friends this is unheard off from me 3 post in 1 day....but I have had such fun playing with my TSV goodies...I am entering this Tag into Dragon's Dream Tag It On Challenge #28, who had my dear friend Lyn as a Guest DT this week, and anyone who knows Lyn's work, will be in for a treat by popping over to check out the challenge..the theme is Year of the Tiger, I used my SeeD stamps, stamped onto a background of Distress Inks, taken from the TH Book *A Compendium of Curiosities" I also picked up a free digital image of a Tiger and her cub, which I coloured with promarkers and embossed and used Crackle Paint to vintage it a little.....so girls pop over and check out this challenge blog...I am also entering this into Corrosive Challenges CH53, want to see Asian. I might be back again tonight girls, if my camera plays along with me, I only have 2 rechargeable batteries, as I lent 2 to Jenny's friend and guess what, she lost them, teenagers, eh...LOL, lots of love from a very Beautiful, dare I risk saying it "Spring" day, here in Edinburgh....Avril xxxx

Challenge 24 - Oriental at Sophisticats meets A Spoon Full of Sugar CH92

2010-03-01T10:00:00.003Z

2nd post for today, please scoll down for details of Cute Daisy May challenge!

Another post from me today girls, then I am off to play with my new Machine, so excited about that, so without further ado, this week at Sophisticats our talented Tasha has choosen "Oriental" as a theme, and us girls, just about fell apart, honest we did, but nothing gets us down and everyone rose to the challenge, as the word describes...LOL. I used my Distress Inks to do a background card, then got out my peel offs, which I have had for yonks and got to work, filling some in....I then stamped a Panda from my Oriental C-D's embossed him and inked him up a bit, added some ribbon and an oriental charm to finish...I found this card hard, as when I am making cards I am always thinking off the person, I am making it for, but no-one in my family or friends are much into Oriental, but I like the outcome fine, especially as I got to get messy again...LOL...so pop over and check out the other fab projects from the DT girls....and have a go, at Oriental....There is a Sheet of Debbi Moore images up for a prize this week...I am also wanting to thank everyone who took part in our "Embossing" challenge last week, as usual there were some Outstanding creations to visit...I am also going to add this card to CH92 at A Spoon Full of Sugar, who wants to see the Use off Distress Inks on your projects...

Follow a Sketch at Cute Daisy May

2010-03-01T06:49:00.000Z

Morning ladies a new challenge at Cute Daisy May, this week, a fabulous Sketch given to us by the Awesome Pinky, such a fabulous sketch to follow, I loved it and will definetely be using it in the future, I used an image from sheet on 133, of Linnie's fab images, I am using as an Anniversary card for my Mum and Step-dad who got married on 29 February 1988, but celebrate the inbetween years on 1st March, as my Step-dad has a birthday on 28th February...I hope you like this an join us in our challenge this week, remember that a sheet of digis and a blinkie are up for winning.....our DT girls have once again outdone themselves, with their projects...I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for taking part in our "Flower Power" challenge last week. as usual you girls rock...Love Avril xxxx

Week 40 at Winter Wonderland - Monochromatic Christmas

2010-02-28T08:00:00.003Z

A lovely Sunday Morning my dear friends, we have a new challenge at Winter Wonderland this week, which is Monochromatic Christmas, our DT girls have made a fabulous job off this challenge, and we would so very much like you to join us in the task off getting those Christmas Cards done early, so as to avoid stress, later in the year, remembering tomorrow we are into March already...our fabulous Teri, has very generously donated a set of stamps from Stampin Up, as a prize for this challenge, these are stamps I have yet to have any off, and would love to be in with a chance to win them myself, but I am more than happy for anyone of my dear friends to win instead...also this week, we had a new member joining our Team, Baby Ella, new daughter to Joey and Martin, so hopefully you will all pop over and meet our new member and welcome her to the world, she is absolutely gorgeous, and just makes me want to have another baby, now I hear you all saying is 6 not enough, well girls "no" it is not.....LOL...congratulations Joey and Martin. So come on girls get out those Christmas goodies, don't be afraid....and join us in our challenge this week.....Love to all, Avril xxxxx

ECP - Challenge 7 - "take your pick"

2010-02-27T11:16:00.000Z

Morning dear friends from a rather White Edinburgh, yuk......I was planning to take Tommy and his friend to the Disney shop for a new "Puffle" but I cannot see it now, walking sticks just don't go well with snow....maybe Brian will take them, when he comes back from work...well onto the business off the day.

Easy Craft Projects have a great challenge for this week, you can choose, what you want to do, and there is a fabulous prize of $20.00 gift voucher from our fabulous sponsors, for both CH7&8 Sunshine Stamps, up for grabs for taking part in our challenge...pop over and see what our talented DT girls have come up with, and hopefully get the inspiration to take part this week...

Your choice off projects are: (with links to the projects for more inspiration)
Thank You Card
Quick Mothers Day Card
House on a Hill Pin Cushion
Button Bracelet
Storage Projects

So come on girls, come and join us in our challenge which closes at 11.59pm Thursday 11 March 2010.

I am also going to enter this card into Totally Stampalicious - Vegas Style who want Glitter, Bling on your projects.

I think I have caught up a bit from my couple off days off line, and I am so excited as My Sizzix Machine and Grunge Paper were delivered whilst doing this post, so I am off to play....have a great day, my dear friends. Love Avril xxxx

Just for Men CH4 - Green- Birthday Card for Step-dad

2010-02-26T16:06:00.000Z

Hi girls, have you wondered where I have been this week, well I have been a very naughty girl....I spent so much money on Tuesday, with the TSV (which came today...hurrah), and re-ordering my Sizzix Machine (which is on its way) that I forgot to leave money in the bank for the phone bill.....OOPS, so Brian had to scoot to the bank before his work and move things around...so back online now...thankfully...I will be going round all the challengers off my various DT posts, after this posting...

This card is for Challenge 4 - Cards for Men, who wanted to see GREEN, on your projects, well my Step-dad will be 78 on Sunday (told you february was a nightmare for men's birthdays) and he is an avid supporter of Celtic FC...so I made a card with Green vintage cars....which I know he will love...Kenny is off to the post office, so that he gets it on time...hope you like it girls, and sorry this is so short, but I have not visited any blogs since Tuesday Morning...bad girl...that I am..hope you are all having a great day, and looking forward to the weekend, the weather here in Edinburgh over the last few days has been just awful, again, with snow and today, just rain, all day long, I am cossetted in my wee craft area in the kitchen, crafting, and loving it...Love to all. Avril xxxxx

Messy Hands at Tuesday Taggers

2010-02-23T07:55:00.002Z

Morning my dear friends, it is bitterly cold here in Edinburgh, on today, Brian's Birthday, and off course QVC's Craft Day, did you see the TSV from the lovely Tim Holtz.....? I had my order in before 1 minute past 12....needless to say I have gritty eyes this morning....LOL..

We have a treat for your today at Tuesday Taggers, our fabulously talented, Janet, has choosen the challenge Messy Hands, and my what a great time I had yesterday, inking, gluing, the picture of my workdesk and hands is there for all to see, and we want to see yours, you can do anything from and inchie to a LO, you choose, but we want to see a picture off your hands or workdesk....our talented band of Sisters have as always come up with fabulous projects along with our 6 Guest DT's, so plenty of inspiration for you girls to check out....we have a prize this week, a £15 gift voucher, from the The Craft Barn this week for the winner off this challenge, for to be in with a chance to win the prize, you must put a link to The Craft Barn, in your post....

I have made a wee gift box, for Mother's Day, along with a Fridge Magnet....I had the best time making this, and the doily obtained discreetly from the resturant, that we had dinner on Sunday, you should have seen the faces on Brian, Kenneth, Jennifer and Tommy, they were mortified, when I put it in my bag...LOL..so come on girls get out those inks and chalks and paints, etc, etc, etc, and made a Mess, can't wait to see your creations....and hands.....

I am also going to add this to Incy Wincy for their CH31 "Touchy Feely". Creatalicious CH7 want Create a Little Something, The Secret Crafter Saturday CH71 - Mothers Day, Lexis Creations CH8 - Anything Goes and Our Creative Corner, want a "New Technique" - which is the Inchie Magnet, inside the box, this is the smallest piece I have tried to Alter.....

Have a great day my dear friends, hopefully it gets warmer up here in Edinburgh, so that I can send Brian to the golf and watch "Craft Day" in peace.......LOL....love to all, Avril xxxxx

Embossing at Sophisticats, meets Pink, Purple and Grey, at For Fun Challenges

2010-02-22T10:02:00.000Z

Hi girls as promised my 2nd DT card for today, I am so behind with my work this week, and started off really well, but with new shelves going up and Brian taking me off for lunch and then Sunday Dinner, what is a girl to do.....we had the most Fab meal out last night with Kenneth, Jennifer and Tommy, as an early celebration of Brian's birthday tomorrow....thankfully he is going for a game of golf today, so I can get on with my other DT work....and also get a chance to catch up with my friends....you have all been so great at leaving comments on my blog, and I assure you I appreciate every single one....you Rock girls, honest you do..

Now onto the business of the day, at Sophisticats we welcome a new member to our team Tracy, who is yet another talented girl, I am sure you will agree, once you have visited her blog.....our fabulous Mandy has choosen "Embossing" as this weeks challenge, now this can be any kind of Embossing, wet, dry, machines etc, I had to resort to my trusty light box....as I had to cancel my order for my Sizzix machine, Weep, Weep, and could not get to grips with Embossing with the Slice Machine, if anyone has tips, for this I would appreciate it....they only showed the cutting on QVC. I used yet another Cute Daisy May Image, - Sheet 171, as I have a few birthday cards to make this year for 17 year old girls...and I think this is just the business. I followed the challenge at Helen's new Challenge Blog, For Fun Challenges, CH1 which asked for Pink, Purple and Grey.....I coloured the image and embossed her stockings and hair, with Silver and Clear embossing powders and embossed with a Flower Fairy stencil around the image, which I chalked lightly, I kept this simple to let the embossing show...hope you like it girls and give our newbie Tracy a Warm Welcome....love to all, have to get back to work for now....Avril xxxx

Flower Power at Cute Daisy May meets Pink Gem Challenge 1 - Sketch

2010-02-22T07:57:00.001Z

Sheet 169

Well the start of another week ladies, Monday is here and the kids go back to school today, boo!hoo!, I love having them here..but Brian has taken 2 days off to help me get over it....LOL, I honestly do get a little down, when holidays end for the kids.....

A huge thanks to everyone to took part in my Challenge last week, at CDM, I love you all for your kind comments also....this week, we have another fantastic Challenge choosen by our fabulous Lorraine, who wants "Flower Power" on your projects, now I know that the bulbs are beginning to peep through the earth, even with the snow and ice still around, you can see them bravely trying to come through...I think also that Linnies, fabulous image just lend themselve to flowers, so if you want to win a set of her amazing digis, take part in our challenge this week.....and the I have left the best news until last, Linnie has asked Myself and Valarie to stay on FULL time as DT's, after our 3 month guest spots, and honest girls, I am over the moon to be staying at CDM with the wonderfully talented girls that are there...so come on girls get your entries into our "Flower Power" challenge this week, also Linnie is looking for Guest DT's from April, so please pop over and check out the details....I followed the Sketch at CH1 at new Challenge blog at Pink Gem for this card, .hope you like my card, as much as I liked doing it....I will be back later with my 2nd post in a wee while.....love to all. Avril xxxxx

Winter Wonderland - WK39 a Sketch by Pascale

2010-02-21T10:22:00.000Z

A very good Sunday Morning, my dear friends, here at last is my post of Winter Wonderland's WK39 Sketch challenge,a which our fabulous Pascale has done for us, it is fab, and I hope you take this chance to get started on your Christmas Cards for this year, can you believe we are nearly at the end of February all ready..I can't.

The challengers last week, made fabulous cards, with our colour combo, and I enjoyed looking at each and everyone, you Rock girls, honest you do..

This week, we have a great prize of 4 fabulous digi's from Chris at Sketching Stampers, they are fabulous digis girls, what a fab prize, wish I could enter....

If any off you have been over at our blog this morning you will have seen a wee mistake on my card, and thanks to Teri, I have been able to sort it out, (once the internet, went back on, and the batteries charged for the camera, LOL), thanks Teri for being a great friend...I have tried to do a little bit of using different papers on this card (not sure of it really, as I usually like clean lines and less pattern), I used an Image that I received in a RAK from a very good friend...not sure off the name of the image, so I would be happy for anyone to tell me, as I just love it...so girls without any further gibbering, (I have so much to catch up on today, as Brian took me out to buy a new blade for my trimmer and some more shelving for the kitchen, then we went for something to eat, so a whole day, lost to crafting, YIKEES) here is my card for this weeks challenge, hope you like it better than I do...much love to all. Avril xxx

1 Card - Many Challenges

2010-02-19T12:27:00.000Z

A very good, sunny Friday to you all, my dear friends, I am finding that crafting in the kitchen, is not such a good idea, especially when the kids are off from school...to many interuptions....I was trying to get ahead with my crafting this week, but that has not happened...however, I have completed this card for a few challenges, I used a Digi Image from the Greetings Farm (Oriental Anya) for Anyone for Anya's challenge - Flower Power, I followed the Sketch WK37 at Sweet Sketch Wednesday, I also used my new Tulip punch to enter Incy Wincy Designs, CH30 who want "Punch it Out", Crafty Angels Online, WK22 want Fantastic Flowers, Crafty Creations CH55, want Stitching (mines is faux, again,) as do Bee Crafty, CH24 who want a "Sew Cute" using a digi image....Corrosive Challenges, CH51 also want "Sew it Up", One Stitch At a Time CH1 want Stitching, and Pile It On CH6 want Flowers, phew I think that is a record, for me....I have to say, going around an commenting on the challengers of my DT posts, I have picked up some off these challenge blogs, so thanks for that girls, as I don't seem to have time to find my own....LOL......I am waiting on Tommy's friend Jamie coming for the day, and they want on the computer, as Club Penguin are having a party, so I must get, on, off to check out the challenges....much love to you all, hope to be back with something else today..

Just a quick plug, my dear Friend Helen Dooley, has set up a New Challenge Blog, called FOR FUN CHALLENGES....pop over girls and give her your support, there will be Guest DT spots, up for grabs, so off you go and spread the word....thank you so much

One Card Multiple Challenges

2010-02-17T16:17:00.001Z

A very fine Wednesday afternoon dear friends, I have made a card with a free digi from Lisa Foster at Digital Delights - SNR Group, for their February digi-day challenge and event, called "Lovesick Nesbit" isn't he cute, I thought I would add this card to Crafty Catz - CH19 Buttons & Bows, Passion for Promarkers - WK39 - Any Colour & Theme - Buttons & Bow and Totally Papercrafts (a fairly new challenge blog, and my 1st time off entering) CH3, also looking for Buttons & Bows, hope you like this cute image girls and maybe pop over and see the challenge at SNR - digital delights....I am off to try and complete some more challenge cards, hope you are all having a great day I am also adding this card to Kaboodle Doodles, CH24 who want Spots and Stripes, thanks Marianne. Love Avril xxxx

Tuesday Taggers, - Time & Welcome to New DT's and Guest DT's

2010-02-16T08:30:00.000Z

A very lovely Tuesday morning my dearest friends...there is a lot going on at Tuesday Taggers today, 1st off our challenge for this week has been set by our Ubber Talented Michelle, who wants to see Time/Clocks on your projects....and as per usual our DT have come up with some awesome projects....I enjoyed getting inked up and messy yesterday creating the card that will get used for my Step-dad's birthday on 28 February, from my kids...We are also introducing 3 New very talented DT members to our band of happy crafters, they are Sally, Ildeko and Zoe, and even more news we have 6 fabulous Guest DT's joining us for the next 3 weeks, so we have lots of projects to show you all for inspiration....they are Doreen, Jill, Nikki (my darling daughter, off whom I am so very proud off), Paula, Sheng & Suzanne, now last weeks "Love" theme, tickled all your fancies, and we had a fantastic amount off entries into our challenge, and I enjoyed going round and commenting on them all, so lets make it another fab week for the Tuesday Taggers........

WK22 at Sophisticats is "Stitching"

2010-02-15T19:57:00.000Z

My 2nd post today(which is much later than usual, as Lisa has had computer problems today, so forgive our lateness) is for our CH22 at Sophisticats, which our lovely Gina has choosen this week, to tempt you all to join in with us, and I have to say our DT have come up with the goods this week..... "Stitching", could be real or as I have done Faux, with the trusty, ruler and white gel pen.I used an image that Jan sent me at my birthday, and I loved it, not sure off the name of the design, but lent itself to be coloured in the blue hues and matted onto a flower cut out from a 12 x 12 dcwv paper, which I used glossy accents and glitter on...I also used other papers from my stash with buttons and stitching on them....Please pop over and see our DT Projects and welcome our 2 New DT's Diane and Tasha, nice to have another 2 members join the team, girls and hope you will be very happy....I want to personally thank everyone who took part in last weeks "Tartan Theme", and for all the lovely comments that were left about my beloved Dad, they were all very greatly appreciated....Love to All Avril xxxx

Bright & Cheerful Colours at CDM

2010-02-15T07:25:00.000Z

A very good morning my dear friends, well a new Challenge at Cute Daisy May has been choosen by myself, Bright & Cheerful Colours, which is another tribute to my Dad who would have celebrated his 75th birthday today (so if Elvis can be celebrated for his songs, my Dad, also has to have fame, for his Painting and Decorating), I asked the talented Linnie to come up with a Wee Boy with a Paint Pot and she did this for me, so thank you Linnie, if you want to own him he is Sheet 151 in the Cute Daisy May shop.....I used all the colours of the Rainbow, as there was one shining on the day off his funeral and Jenny said "Grandad is Painting the Sky" so we love Rainbows in our family...and this card will sit on our mantlepiece for him today, along with Kenny's 18th birthday cards, as he and his grandad always had a joint celebration....so I am sure in this depressing time off snow and rain, you will love to make a card with Bright and Cheerful Colours for our challenge this week, and don't forget there is a chance to win a sheet of Linnies awesome designs.....

Colour Combo at Winter Wonderland

2010-02-14T11:45:00.000Z

A very Happy Valentines Day to one and all, I hope the romantics have come out in force with the Rosses and the Chocolates and maybe a nice Dinner out.....my hubby has just gone off to the golf.....LOL, such a romantic...I must apologise for the lateness off this post, a very late night was had last night, we DID NOT get thrown out off the house as planned, but joined in a very noisy, 18th Birthday Party for my Son....it is fabulous to get an insight into their lives at this age, and we all had a great time...except Tommy, who did not like the party, as there was no "party food", just "stovies and birthday cake"...

Onto the business off the day, at Winter Wonderland, we have a fabulous "Colour Combo" Satsuma, Gold and Chocolate and all the things we find in our "Christmas Stocking", I bought the image JOY from, the talented Stitchy at Digital-Ink Co, and coloured it with my Promarkers and my Trusty Clear Glitter Sakura Pen, added gems and papers from the new Papermania range, and my stash...hope you like it girls, as it may come to one off you, come Xmas, LOL....I know at this time off year Xmas seems a long way away, but can any off you believe we are in the middle of February already, so come on girls, take the stress off those "tesky xmas preparations" and get ahead, with us at Winter Wonderland... and you could be in with a chance to win 3 fabulous Digis from Regina Easter at the Cutting Cafe, how great is that, .Love to all a very tired but happy Avril xxxx

A Sketch at ECP

2010-02-13T17:19:00.000Z

Our talented Nan has done a Sketch for us for CH6 at ECP, this is so great that I decided to do a layout, so as not to miss out any elements....this is just my 2nd scrapbook page, the hardest part was choosing the photograph..our Sponsor again for this challenge is Jane Doodles, who is giving the winner of this challenge (printables and some off her awesome homemade Fimo Buttons). Our DT have made some great projects, so please pop over and take a look..I apologise for the lateness of this post, but it is my Son's 18th Birthday today and he is having a party here in the house, so we have been cleaning and sorting things out all day...

The picture on this picture was taken 14 years ago and the little ladies, Jennifer (my daughter) Erin and Stacey (my nieces) will all be 17 later on this year, and they are the best of friends. I used papers from a kit that I got from QVC recently, can't remember the make, but really nice papers and embellishments were in the kit..I used 2 of Jane's Doodle "You are Sweet" and the "Cupcake" and coloured with my promarkers and ink pads...hope you like this girls and have a go at our challenge this week. The challenge finished 11.59pm on 25th February...I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their entries into Challenge 5, they were all awesome..Brian, I and Tommy are getting thrown out off the house tonight, so I am off to get ready to go to my Aunt & Uncles for a couple of hours.....hope my house is still standing when I get back....YIKEES...Love Avril xxxx

Another Valentines Card

2010-02-11T21:16:00.000Z

Evening my dear friends, I have had a busy day, creating today, with my Son's birthday on Saturday, he will be 18, and Valentines Day on Sunday and DT projects....I just managed to catch up with all the challengers of my many DT posts today, I am continually amazed by the amount of talent out there, and you girls are just the best, I love visiting your blogs to see what you have come up with and you never, ever, fail to disappoint me....this card is for my Son to give his girlfriend, I found the "Kiss Me" image at Squgglefly and just loved it, thought it was so funny....my Son is a prince anyway, but I am biased..LOL.

For this card I followed the the challenge at Sketchy Colors, CH10 their Sketch is just fab, also this card fits Tellens Place CH5 with is LOVE with at least 5 Hearts, (maybe went overboard with the hearts...LOL), Ooh-la-la Ch47 is LOVE, Digital Tuesday's challenge is "It's all about Animals" and lastly Cute Card Thursday's CH99 is "In the Name of Love"....

Hope you like it my dear friends, I don't know what time I am going to get to bed tonight, as I still have mountains of projects to finish, and my Mum and step-dad are coming through from Dundee tomorrow to take Kenny out for his birthday...so I am going to meet them, and have some lunch...so a big chunk of friday will disappear if you know what I mean..hope you are all well, my dear friends. Love Avril xxxxx

Sir Stampalot Challenge & Blog Hop, meets Crafty Catz (Lemon & Lilac)

2010-02-10T14:36:00.001Z

Afternoon ladies....it is lovely and Sunny here in Edinburgh today, but still, bitterly cold....I have just finished my card for Brenda's Blog Hop for Sir Stampalot's premises move....there is fantastic prizes up for grabs, including a Sizzix machine, WOW...the card is to be Moving...either a card that or project that Moves or for Moving....so I did this card for my daughter Mhairi and her Fiance Allen, who just moved house 3 weeks ago, I am also going to put the card into CH18 of Crafty Catz, who want to see Lemon and Lilac on your creations...I bought the stamped image of the house from Digi Stamp Boutique and the Owls were given to the ECP girls to play with from Willow Designs. Not so sure about this card, but Mhairi and Allen will love it I am sure....off too see what you have all been up to...Hugs Avril xxxx

Love Makes the World Go Around at Tuesday Taggers

2010-02-09T07:11:00.000Z

Thank you my dear friends for all your good wishes yesterday, they really did give me a boost.....

This week at Tuesday Taggers our fabulous Janet has choosen "LOVE makes the World Go Around" for our challenge, as she is celebrating her anniversary on Valentines Day, so best wishes to Janet and her Husband....love you my dear friend. We have the talented Joan joining our DT as a guest this week, you must pop over and visit her blog and see her creations, our DT have made some awesome projects as usual this week, so love working with these girls....There is a prize this week....Craft Empororium have donated a surprise 6 x 6 paper pack from the CHA show in America....please include a link to the Craft Emporium to be in with a chance to win this prize......so come on girls let yourself be in LOVE this week. I made this card for my daugher Jenny to give to her lovely boyfriend David.... Hugs Avril xxxx

WK21 - A Touch of Tartan - at Sophisticats

2010-02-08T10:44:00.000Z

As promised my 2nd post for today, it is MY challenge this week, at Sophisticats WK21 which is "A Touch of Tartan" this the 5 year anniversary of loosing my dear dad, who was my very best friend, so in his honour, I have choosen this weeks challenge, he taught me everything there was too know about Dancing, (and life in actual fact) Scottish Country, Ballroom & Jazz....and he was Scottish through and through, his name was Bruce Cameron Robertson, the Robertson's were a CLAN, from Struan... he was very proud off his roots....so a "touch of tartan" girls, does not have to be much...the girls on the DT have utterly rocked this challenge, so thanks girls for that, we were kindly given some amazing digis to use from Judy at Digital Ink Co, who are sponsoring our challenge this week...and Judy was a star in her own right this week, when she helped me to download ZIP files....I was tearing my hair out and even went off to bed one night in the huff....LOL...but she helped and within 5 minutes I was printing Images like no-ones business...so meet Ella, isn't she just gorgous....so to win 3 fabulous digi images, take part in our challenge this week. We are also introducing 2 New DT Members the lovely Tasha and Diane, I am looking forward to getting to know these girls....so pop over and give them a huge welcome.....I am off to do some more crafting, try to get through this day, as best I can....love to all....Avril xxxxxx

Lavender & Lace at Cute Daisy May meets Tic Tac Toe and Floral Frenzy

2010-02-08T06:58:00.001Z

A very good Monday morning and this is my 1st of 2 posts today, Monday's are always a busy day for me in blogland....at Cute Daisy May, our talented Wendy, has choosen the classic "Lavender & Lace" our DT girls have come up with some fantastic projects as always and if you want to own some of Linnies fab images, you must take part in this weeks challenge...

I am also going to enter this card into Tellens Place who have a fab challenge called "Tic Tac Toe" I have choosen, Charm, Flower & Lace.....

Sweet Stampin Challenge 12 are looking for "Floral Frenzy" this week, and I think this card cover this, with the backing papers, the punched border, flower soft etc...

I love this image from sheet 169, which just said to me "Water Colour" so I did, using the Brilliance Dew Drops, in pearalesent.....I also used flower soft on the Bird House, I may use this for a Mothers Day card, but I might also frame it...as I love it so much....what say you my dear friends....

Week 37 - Sketch (Baby's 1st Christmas) at Winter Wonderland

2010-02-07T09:09:00.000Z

The Top of the Morning to YOU all, and many many thanks to all who took part in our 1st Blog hop at Winter Wonderland last week, we were blown away with the entries and the fabulous cards that went with them.....you are so great....the list of Winners is on the challenge site, along with this weeks. challenge.

Our fabulous Anne, has come up with this great Sketch, (which I am a bad girl, did not know, was to be followed this week, until last night, must take my time to read.....). We want to see Babies 1st Christmas, and this week our fabulous Teri is our Sponsor, she gave us some off her designs to play with (which could be used for baby's 1st birthday, easter, etc) and girls if you have used Teri's images you know how fab they are.....well if you win this challenge 3 off her awesome images can be yours....of your choice no less....

This is a short post today girls and for that I am sorry, but I had another fall yesterday, and have hurt my neck so you could say I have a "pain in the neck"...LOL.....you gotta laugh

I am going to try to get round the challengers for all my DT posts today, I love seeing your work and appreciate all your support...so be patient with me my dear friends.......have a fabulous Sunday. Love Avril xxxx

It is here at last our 1ST Bloghop at Winter Wonderland - with Candy Cane (Red & White)

2010-02-06T18:00:00.000Z

A very good Sunday Morning ladies, are you ready to Hop along with us a Winter Wonderland today, did you remember to put the Date in your Diary, well if so, pop over and check out all the details off how to join in our HOP (open until 6 February 2010)...if you have already started on the Hop and have come from Teri you are going in the right direction.....the rules of the blog hop are that you must visit every DT......and submit a project for our Candy Cane (Red & White) challenge, Candy Canes are optional, but Red and White is a MUST, this project MUST ONLY BE FOR OUR CHALLENGE,(this week) ......and for this we have some superb prizes up for grabs at each DT blog and a main prize at the Winter Wonderland Blog kindly donated by 2 new sponsors, Nikki at Bunny Zoe Crafts and Christine at Sketching Stamper. Thank you girls for your generosity.

The Prize I have choosen for my blog is as follows the New Honey & Hugs 6X6 paper Pack and Stamp Pack (with the chick), and a packet of buttons, all from the New Papermania range...hope you like them, as much as I do...from here you have to visit our lovely Sam, hope you all Enjoy our 1st HOP...xxxxxx.

New Baby Card to fit Multiple challenges

2010-02-04T10:57:00.000Z

Good morning my dear friends, I cannot believe we are at Thursday already, and I have not even started my DT projects for next week, thanks mainly to the many challengers that we have had in our challenges this week, great stuff girls, I have enjoyed looking at all the projects, you are all STARS, also yesterday we had Power Cuts in Edinburgh, which was a real pain, as everything was so blooming dark, and no computer, etc, etc, but we are onto full power today thankfully, so thank you to everyone who has been with me all week, commenting on my projects and entering the challenges, I truly appreciate it.

I made a card last night for Jennifer, whose friend's sister had a Baby Girl on Tuesday, I have seen the pictures of MILEY already, the power of New Technology, she is just so very beautiful, makes me broody, even now...and my baby days are well over....

The Card fits into 6 challenges, SSDS WK25 which is an "Open Theme", Pile it on - "~Enough of Winter Colours", Cute Card Thursday CH98 - Spots and Dots, ABC - N for anything NEW.. Get Funky and Craft, "Open - I love Crafting" and Flutterby Wednesdays CH95, "Butterfly, Angel, Fairy"

It has been an age since I have made a Multiple challenge card, but this one, just seems to fit them all, hope you like it my dear friends. I have to make a move and get some more crafting done....

Teddy Bears at Tuesday Taggers

2010-02-02T07:32:00.000Z

Well it is snowing here again in Edinburgh (spoke to soon last night Wilma), but the good thing is I am toasty warm in the kitchen and don't have to go down to the shed......(see the shed, now, not my shed, how fickle),

Thanks to all who entered our challenge last week, it was great seeing all the lovely projects with puzzle pieces, you are all so very talented, also thanks to everyone who entered for our DT call....good luck.

This week we want to see all your TEDDY BEARS choosen by Emma at Tuesday Taggers and there is a prize up for grabs this week, for our fabulous sponsors at The Craft Barn, before you pop over and see all the fab projects our team have come up with, I would like to introduce Christine as our fabby Guest DT for this week, so go and say hello to her, she is one of the friendliest and talented crafters on blogland, and a very special friend, who has made my time here on blogland a pleasure....great to work with you this week my dear Yorkshire Pudding....

I could not resist Paddington Bear for my creation, and as he has a love of marmalade, I decided to "alter" a "jar of marmalade" all the goodies I used excpet for the inks and glues, came free in different Crafting Magazines. A quick story, I am a Dundee Lass, born and bred, the home of the 3J's (jute, jam and journalism), and my maiden name was Robertson as in Jam....I also worked in the factory where the 1st jar off jam was made by Mrs Keillor.....whilst being a secretary at Dundee University (we had our stationery store and office in this factory), so hopefully you can see why Paddington had to be my choice of Bear....now I cannot wait to see all your projects, so come on girls......beary on down and craft with us at Tuesday Taggers this week.....Hugs Avril xxx

ps don't forget our bloghop at Winter Wonderland you still have until Saturday to join us.....

Love at CH20 at Sophisticats, meets Blooming Gorgeous at Cute Card Thursday and Blossom & Pastel Green at Passion for Promarkers

2010-02-01T08:00:00.002Z

Another week at Sophisticats, CH20 choosen by our lovely Jan, simply called LOVE, is there any better word, I think not....we also welcome a new addition to our team Mandy, I was delighted when I heard this news, as I have followed Mandy for quite a while and love her work, so pop over and welcome her girls..There is also a prize this week from Little Craft House. Lisa is also looking for DT's to join the Team so pop over for the details. I am also entering this card into Cute Card Thursday CH97 "Blooming Gorgeous", they want to see flowers on your projects girls....I coloured my image with Pastel Green and Blossom, the colour combo asked for at Passion for Promarkers...WK36 challenge. I quite like this card, I used a card that was in my stash, cut it down and added ribbon, to make a Matt for Tilda, I used papers long forgotten in my stash, from a kit at QVC, many moons ago, and used ribbon, flowers, gems and charm from my stash.....

Valentine Pink at Cute Daisy May meets N for New at Alphabet Challenge

2010-02-01T06:00:00.001Z

Morning ladies, well another week has started and a Cute Daisy May we would like to see Valentine - Pink, choosen by our lovely Michelle, our DT girls have come up with some stunning creations as always, so pop over and check them out...I used an image from Sheet 133, which is available to buy, and always the lucky winner of our challenges, get a chance to own Linnies Digital Images.....how great is that.......I am also going to enter this card into the Alphabet Challenge - N for New, I have used New Papers, Peel Offs, (bought for this years Valentine's cards) and little pearls are new too, bought them at Hobbycrafts when I went for my Candy for the Winter Wonderland Bloghop....hope you like it girls, I struggle with pink sometimes, but this I quite like.....Hugs Avril xxxx

Mojo Monday (MOJO123) - meets - ANY STAMP WILL DO (CH3)

2010-01-31T11:57:00.000Z

Afternoon dear friends, I hope you are enjoying hopping along with us at Winter Wonderland today..

This card is for 2 challenges, I followed the Sketch at Mojo Monday - MOJO123, I used it to create the cards for Stef's 3rd Challenge at Any Stamp Will Do, where her color combo, is Rose Red, (Red) Saffron,(Yellow) & Eggplant, (Purple), I used another fab image from Linnie at Cute Daisy May which can be found on Sheet 133, should you wish to play with it.....I used a backing card that came in a QVC kit, many moons ago, teamed it up with some card from my stash and paper, from the New Papermania range (Sunshine Paper Pack), the bow is also from the same range, the buttons are from my own stash....hope you like it....I love that image so very cute...what say you my dear friends? It is fab, crafting here in my kitchen, the smell of Roast Beef is making me feel hungry...LOL..hope you are all having a fabulous Sunday, Hugs Avril xxxxx

ECP - CH5 - Valentine for a Man

2010-01-30T21:45:00.000Z

Evening ladies, have you wondered where I have been, along with the ECP challenge.....did you think we had done a runner..LOL...I have been moving my crafting goodies, from my Shed to the Kitchen, I had had a couple of falls again this week, so lost me confidence in going outside on my own, so yesterday Brian decided to get the kitchen carpeted and move things, so now I have a wee cosy niche, and no worries about falling....

This weeks project for ECP was delayed too, due to technical diffuculties, but we are back with a fabulous challenge and a great new Sponsor, with some fab goodies for our winner off this challenge. We want you to do a "Valentine for a Man" now we know that these peskie man cards are a pain, but the 14th of February will be here before you know it...so here is your chance to get it done and dusted.....Jane Doodles, is going to kindly donate printable and some of her home-made fimo buttons, to the winner, now I don't know if you have seen Jane's fabulous designs, if you have you know what a great prize you are getting here, but if not, please pop over and check out her amazing designs...I kept my card quite simple, and used a free image from the super talented Terry. I tried to do a grafitti, style, design on the backing card, hope it works, and used some gems, glossy accents and scrap paper from my stash. Hope you like girls.

M for Matting at ABC, meets FAIRY FANTASTIC at Cute Card Thursday

2010-01-26T19:35:00.001Z

Evening dear friends, I have been down to the shed for another play today, and this time for a challenge card for 2 challenges, M for Matting at ABC this is my 1st time for matting, and I am pleased with the result, had to get Brian to get me post-it-notes, when he came from work this morning....also Cute Card Thursday CH96 which is Fairy Fantastic..Tommy has a 10th Birthday party on the 6th of February, a wee girl in his class Olivia is having a "Pool Party" so I thought this would be just fine for her.....I will probably put her name on it...I used the new Cupcake stamps from Kanban........which I bought last week from QVC when they did the mini-series of buy now and pay in 2 installments, it was magic, as Brian just got paid, so I treated myself to a couple of bits and pieces in lieu of xmas.....hope you like this my dear friend, I am in the middle of another card, so I am off back to the shed to play, Tommy is at his friends for tea tonight, so I am free to play.....love to all..Avril xxxx

Tuesday Taggers - Jigsaw Pieces.....

2010-01-26T07:37:00.000Z

Good Morning ladies, thank you for all your great comments on my projects yesterday, I will be round to see you all today, but yesterday, I spent the whole day in the shed, covered in ink.....and it was the greatest fun ever.....I bought a 24 pieces Jigsaw in the sale, and now have 3 pieces left...LOL......I was given amazing advice from my fellow Tuesday Taggers and this is what I came up with for our challenge this week, (my 1st or 20th attempt, more truthfully, of COLLAGE) (in the night, whilst I was dreaming of my crafts, as you do, I decided that I would make this into a Magnet), which Bee has chosen.....to use a Jigsaw Piece or Shape somewhere on your project. Pop over and check out the amazing projects that our DT have done, with this challenge....and remember if your fancy joining our Happy Team, use the e-mail address on the challenge website stating your interest (the call is open for another week).....I can honestly say that this is a fabulous DT to belong too, we all help one another and have lots of respect for one another.....there is no stress, just FUN......

Challenge 19 - Mum, Nanna or Miss You at Sophisticat this week

2010-01-25T09:00:00.001Z

This week at Sophisticat in honour of Lisa's mum, we are wanting to see Mum, Nanna or Miss You on your cards or projects.....we have our new DT Member, Gina joining us from this week so please pop over and check out the DT projects and give Gina a nice welcome.....I would like to thank everyone for taking part in Teri's challenge last week, what an amount of entries we had, Spring certainly brought out your MOJO's so thank you everyone who took part, I am glad I don't have the job off choosing the Winners this week girls....I used a CDM image, on sheet 133, that I just love, and some papers that were free in Creative Cardmaking magazine, (Spring Special), you got to love these free papers, also the flowers were free in Crafts Beautiful in December, I used my slice machine to cut out the mat, and some other flowers and gems from my stash.....also coloured her with my trusty promarkers....and used pearly glue around the heart...there seems to be a lot going on in this card which is unusual for me, but I think the image and the papers allowed for that....what say you......

Vintage at Cute Daisy May

2010-01-25T01:00:00.001Z

This week at CDM we want to see VINTAGE on your projects, our DT girls have come up with some awesome projects as per usual, I cannot believe that I am working alongside, such a talented bunch of girls.....I used an image from Sheet 46, and coloured her with promarkers....I used papers from K&CO and distressed them with sandpaper around the edges, I also used some green velvet ribbon, flowers and pearls from my stash.....I just adore playing with these images, I feel so honoured, honest I do....I want to thank everyone who took part in our challenge last week, so much stunning work out there, I am constantly, dropping my jaw.......I hope I managed to get round everyone with a comment....

I am also entering this card into Passion for Promarkers, WK35, Any Colour and a Theme, Girls, Girls. Girls, so I think this fits very nicely. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend, mines was a mixed bag off ups and downs, but hey, ho, Monday came around and a new week begins.....I want to thank you all for your comments on my projects this week and I will get round to everyone this week. I am back to full fitness, thank goodness, with maybe a touch of tiredness, but I am sure as the week goes on that will improve, fingers crossed, dear friends....Love Avril xxxxx

Challenge 35 Follow a Sketch at Winter Wonderland and a Date for your Diary

2010-01-24T09:36:00.000Z

Morning dear friends, I feel like I have not posted on here for a long time......it has been a busy week, 1st with my daughter moving house on Wednesday, then she came through to Edinburgh on Thursday to go to Ikea for some bits and pieces for her new house....she left on Friday, just a Brian arrived home with our Grandchildren Sinead and John.....we took them swimming yesterday, had tea out....unfortunately this morning Sinead was very sick, so I have been up since 4am with her, and now that is Tommy and John up.

I had so many problems with this card for Winter Wonderland this week. I printed the image out on card that came from Brian's work, but when I used Silicone glue to stick it on it came through the card and spoiled the colouring, I tried everything to cover it up, but gave in in the end and coloured a new image.....just been back to the shed to put it on, as I left the Glossy Accents drying on Friday.....phew, think I just made the post......

This week we are following a fabulous Sketch, by our talented Pascale, which I hope you all love....sketches (which can be rotated if you so desire) are a great starting place, especially at this time off year, when MOJO's are still feeling lost (well I know mines is.....LOL). I used a free Digitial Image that I picked up over Xmas, from Carol, such a fun image to play with, coloured him with my Promarkers, managed to add a few more to my collection, last week, after Brian got paid, a late Xmas pressie to myself.....LOL...I used glitter and Glossy Accents to highlight bits of the image, the papers and ribbon came from my stash, not sure which ones they are...I have lots of bits a pieces that I am trying to use, before starting on new sheets, we will see how far I get with that idea........pop over to Winter Wonderland and see the terrific projects that our talented DT have come up with this week....

A Date for your Diary

Winter Wonderland's 1st Blog Hop

Sunday 31 January, don't miss it, we have

lots of prizes up for grabs.

I am also going to enter this card into the Incy Wincy Challenge 26 "Colour me Wonderful", which, is to use your Favourite Medium, which is presently Promarkers, with Alchohol Inks coming a very close 2nd.....

Christmas Left Overs at Tuesday Taggers and a DT CALL

2010-01-19T08:12:00.002Z

Before

After

A very good Tuesday morning my dear friends, well I finally got all my DT projects finalised for this week, more slowly than usual, but I did it....our talented Lyn, has chosen a fantastic challenge, this week, at Tuesday Taggers which stretched the minds off all us DT sisters and our Guest Pinky. You may remember that we asked you a few weeks ago to keep some, left over Xmas Papers, ribbons, tags, etc, for a challenge, well this is it.....our DT have made some fantastic projects and Lyn has forgotten all about Black....must have been painful for her...LOL.., I tried a bit off "collage work", but that did not work out, so I used a Xmas Tag, (I have the before and after picture), to let you see, how easy it actually was, once I got the idea in my head....we want to see anything, a tag, a card, a Scrapbook Page, and altered item, anything girls, so get the thinking caps on, and join us this week. I want to thank everyone for your support for my challenge last week, we all seem to have a great love of "Birds", I was thrilled to listen to them, whilst playing in my shed on Sunday, a sure Sign that spring is on its way...I am entering this tag, into Anyone for Anya, who this week, want to see Black, White and 1 other colour.....

DT CALL at Tuesday Taggers

How would you like to JOIN our TEAM? - Well now is the chance to apply, we are looking for 2 new DT's to join us...if you want to apply e-mail, with a description of yourself and what you like to do....you will find the e-mail address on the Tuesday Taggers challenge site, the DT Call ends on 1st February, so no hanging around.......

Cute Daisy May is up and running

Just a quick note to let you know that Cute Daisy May, has re-opened, and are running, last weeks. Ribbons and Flowers, for the rest off this week, so if you have your card make, pop over and enter....thank you for your patience......

Hope you all have a fab Tuesday, I am hoping to get round to visiting you today, my hand is much better, thank you all for your kinds comments......you made me smile and it also gave me a good reason to keep going.....Love Avril xxxxxx

CH18 at Sophisticats - Spring and a Recipe for the Character Cafe

2010-01-18T08:00:00.001Z

A fabulous Monday morning dear friends and what a difference in the weather.....we have green grass....yipee.

This week at Sophisticats we are welcoming a New DT Member, Gina, I hope you nip across and give her your support.....this week Teri, chose the challenge, which is "Spring" now come on girls, we can see the grass, I actually heard the birds singing yesterday....so whatever Spring means to you, that is what we want to see...Thank you all who played along last week, I think I managed to get round everyone, more slowly than usual...LOL....I also want to thank Teri, for giving us such brilliant Challenges.....

I also want to enter this card into the Character Cafe, who have a "Recipe" this week, (1 Design Paper, Buttons, 1 Ribbon) hope they like it, and I hope you all like it too.......have a great day, Hugs Avril xxxx

Any Stamp Will Do, meets Multiple Challenges

2010-01-17T21:58:00.000Z

Our fantastic friend Stef has set up a great color challenge forum, ANY STAMP WILL DO which runs from Wednesday to Tuesday, we are at week 2 now and the colors that Stef has choosen is Pillar Box Red, Pink and Olive Green, so we would like you to come along and join us.....

I used a new Pink Gems Designs that I bought from Janet, (there is an amazing sale, at the minute over there,so pop over and grab a bargain.... just loving Owls at the minute and I felt that this one, looks so cheeky and funky, it just lends itself to bizarre colours, if you know what I mean....

I am also entering this card into Craftwork Cards - C is for Card Candy, I love these little Candy things, and need to get some more....fortunately I had the colors to fit the Color Challenge, and also Polkadoodles WK2 want to see LOVE on your Projects, well I have the lovehearts and the message "With Love from Me to You", hope this counts....ABC want L for Layering, Anya Ink, want to see Flowers, and finally, phew I am out off breath, LOL, The Crafty Pad CH54 want to see Animals on your project......well girls I think htat is me for today, it has taken me literally an hour to type this, I am off to my shed to do my project for Tuesday Taggers.....I hope to do some visiting tonight, depending, on how my arm is, but I wish you all well, and thank you for taking the time to come and visit.....I do truly appreciate it....and once my battle wounds have healed I will be back to full throttle so to speak..... Love Avril xxxx

Colour Combo at Winterwonderland, and some Great News

2010-01-17T14:32:00.000Z

Well this is a late post and no mistaking, for that I am sorry, still having a wee problem with my hand, but it is getting better, just taking longer to complete things, especially the typing....

This week at Winterwonderland, we have 2 New DT girls joining our team, the fabulous Sue and Danielle, who applied for our earlier call for new DT's and WOW what a response we got girls, thank you for that, we honestly expected maybe 2 or 3, it made for a very difficult job for us girls to choose, how can we, so, we had an inhouse vote....for the ladies who applied and were unsuccessful, I hope that very soon, you get a DT post somewhere, and maybe a Guest Post at Winterwonderland, will be offered, later in the year.....everyone was very talented and we were very stressed choosing believe me.....

I would like to say thank you also for the great response to our Sketch challenge last week, there was some fabulous work out there and I love visiting each and every one off you, lovely friends...

So onto this week, Teal and Burgundy is what we want on your projects, I pondered over that this week, as Teal and Burgundy come in many disguises in the craft world, but I finally settled for my favourite Anya image, coloured her with promarkers, used some papermania papers and leftover bits and pieces from my scrap box..I had a wee trip out to Hobbycrafts, yesterday and bought some embellishments, Babies Breath, in Teal and Burgundy, and some glitzy stars...hope you like it girls.....pop over and checkout the DT projects as per usual they are awesome, and also pop over and give Sue and Danielle your support, welcome them into the fold.....we are looking forward to seeing their projects and hope you do to...

I will be back with another card that I have made for a challenge forum that the fantastically talented and friendly Stef has set up in America, and I will be giving you the link to this fantastic colour challenge.....so pop back later, I am going to give my hand a rest from typing, and go and do some more work in the shed.....much love Avril xxxx

ECP Challenge 4 - Lavender & Anything But A Card for Kaboodledoodles

2010-01-15T21:11:00.000Z

Hi dear friends, I am sorry that I am a little late in posting this DT project for ECP CH4 - Lavender, as I had a tumble down the stairs (thankfully only the bottom 5) this morning and busted my right hand....I am trying to type this with my left hand, and it is taking forever......we are wanting to see an altered project, or a card, or scrapbook layout with the colour Lavender....

I decided to make another Calander, I have 4 more off these to make at some point this month, and I hope you don't get fed up looking at them....our DT have as usual came up with fantastic projects, so diverse....we are sponsored again by Willow Designs, I have used one off Sharon's images on my calander, she has the most wonderful images and backing sheets, so please pop over and see what she has...I teamed the image up with yet another kit, that I remembered I had, whilst watching QVC on Tuesday, I coloured the image with promarkers and decoupaged her a little......Hope you like, and find the time to enter our challenge, which is open until Thursday 28th January at 11.59pm (GMT).

As you know I have been playing with my alchohol inks this week, and the reason for this was, because I wanted to enter the Challenge 22 at Kaboodledoodles, (thanks Angie, for giving me a wee push, to doing some challenges this week, instead off just my DT projects, I have been covered in Ink since Tuesday, LOL) who wanted "Anything but a Card", I wanted to make a Bookmark, for myself, as I am forever turning the pages down at the corners, and I have decided not to do that this year, as my books go to the charity shops after I read them....I used Tim Holtz Alchohol, Inks, for the background, then used a Mask from the Tim Holtz range and dabbed more ink over it.....I then stamped a flower with the inks and added some Copper Shimmers to the middle off the flowers, not sure about it, but it was better than the earlier attempts.....

I hope to be back on Sunday with my Winter Wonderland DT project, but I will have to see how my arm is, as my project is only half finished at the minute.....

I hope you are all well and are getting rid off the awful snow, we are thawing out here in Edinburgh, and Brian is talking about getting me out on Sunday, for a wee while, so hopefully it does not start again...love to ALL, Avril xxxxx

1 card for 3 Challenges

2010-01-13T16:57:00.001Z

Evening my dear friends, I have been playing in my shed all day, and my fingers are a lovely colour of Purple...just love playing with these Alchohol Inks, can't get the result that I see around Blogland, but with a bit more practice......

I made this card for 2 challenges, Crafty Catz CH14 wanted to see Bright & Sparkly, and Anyone for Anya, want a Charm on your card for their challenge of "That's Charming, I would also like to submit this card to Cupcake Craft Challenges, whose theme this week "Going Girly". I was playing yesterday in the shed on a couple of DT projects and came into watch QVC and have some lunch, then a kit came on and I thought, I have that....so this card was born.....hope you like it dear friends...

I also have a couple of bits of News Brenda at Floral Fantasies, is have a Mega Candy and Blog Hop on the 1st of February, and would like a bit off help spreading the word, if you have not already done so, could you go over and follow the instructions there.....

Also there is a new Challenge Blog starting, called Just Cute Bears, Ali is looking for DT's to join her in this fabulous new challenge blog, once again, click on the link and follow Ali's instructions.....

Hope you all have a lovely evening, after Tea, I am gonna come visiting, which I have not done since Monday, so sorry for that, busy playing, at one time the internet worked down in the shed, but for some strange reason, I am not picking up the signal now, which is a bit off a pain, as I have my music on here too......Much Love Avril xxxxxx

Tagi it with Birds at Tueday Taggers

2010-01-12T07:39:00.000Z

Maybe it is the thought off the lovely Spring Morning to come, and waking up to the sound of the birds chirping, that made me choose this challenge this week...Now don't be put off with the name all we want is a project with a tag and a bird on it, it could be anything from an ATC to a Scrapbook Page, you decide, but we want to see your projects.

We have 2 Guest Designers at Tuesday Taggers this week, Sally and Doreen who are just wonderfully talented, and I ask you to checkout their blogs and give them your support.....pop over to Tuesday Taggers and see all the beautiful projects that my lovely friends have made.....so come on ladies, let forget the snow and the wind, and think off the Birds that are going to wake you up on a beautiful Spring Morning.......Our Winner from last week is Christine, so congratulations my dear Yorkshire Dumpling....you are gonna be a guest with us....YIPEEE

I want to use this card for the challenge at Creative Inspirations, Ch24 which is to Distress, not sure my distressing worked out too well, I used Alchohol Inks and sanded round the edge of my Tag, also sanded the paper and add Perfect Pearls in Gold, but on the picture it just looks like a smeary mess, but in real life, without the lousy picutre taking it is really quite nice......

Love to all Avril xxxxx

The North Wind Doth Blow - Sophisticats Challenge 17

2010-01-11T09:00:00.001Z

We had a great response to our challenge last week, and I loved visiting all your projects, I must say I am glad we have Mr Linky, as I could not choose between you all, you are all so fabulously talented, so thank you for entering our challenges.

This week, we have one of my dear Friends Teri, as a Guest Designer, and if you don't already know how talented she is, now is the time to pop over and see her fantastic work and beautiful digital images.....she choose the challenge this week which had me Reading Poetry off all things.......so here it is " The North Wind Doth Blow".........we have all made entirely different projects for this challenge, but given that the whole of the UK is covered in Snow.....I think this is the perfect challenge for everyone this week...I used the Crafters Companion papers that were inside "Creative Cardmaking" Issue 9....I have none off these images in my stash, but I can tell you there will be by the end off this year......LOL....there is a prize for the Winner of this challenge can select 2 Digi Sentiment Stamp Sheets (excluding the round ticket style personalised sheets) form Lisa's Etsy Store.....so pop over and take part in this challenge, mainly because I love visiting all your blogs and seeing what you come up with......Much Love as ever Avril xxxx

Flowers & Ribbon at CDM

2010-01-11T06:54:00.000Z

BRR, good morning dear friends, this is the 1st of 2 posts this morning and I can tell you, they could not be more different...that is what I love about Blogland, is how people pick out challenges, and your creative juices go from one extreme to another...the 1st one gives you a chance to get your hands on some off Linnies awesome digitial images......and I am having the most fun playing with them, who can resist playing along......Our Challenge this week has been choosen by Katie which is "Flowers and Ribbon" very simple.......so come on girls.....join us at CDM.....I have used the Sunflower image and teamed it up with MME Bloom and Grow papers, along with ribbon and flowers for my stash....and off course my favourite hobby at the minute "Alchohol Inks" round the edge of the Matt......hope you like, come back later for my other card please......Much Love Avril xxxxx

Sketch Week at Winter Wonderland

2010-01-10T09:00:00.001Z

Well dear friends we are already at the 3rd Sunday of this new year and decade for that matter....and hopefully, apart from the weather, being so awful, everyone is happy and healthy....

At Winter Wonderland this week, our talented Anne has made a Sketch for us to follow, which you can turn any way or resize it as you wish......also it does not have to be a Xmas Card, anything goes for a couple of weeks, although, our DT have stuck with the Xmas Theme, which is great, as I am sure that I will not run out of cards this Xmas.....LOL...so please pop over and take a look at what has been done with the Sketch.....

I used an Image that was sent as part off a gift, so I am not sure what the image is, so any help in that department will be greatly appreciated, as I like it very much and would love to know where to get hold off it....I used papers, ribbon, and gems from my stash....hope you like girls and will take part in our challenge this week....love to all Avril xxxx

1 Card for 4 Challenges, Well Done Wilma, and Say Hello to Jane

2010-01-08T08:00:00.001Z

Brr, girls it is freezing.....I managed a wee stint in the shed yesterday to produce this card for 4 challenges, but Brian had to rescue me, by carrying me back to the house, and No girls, he is not a fireman....LOL.

Ist off all The Stamp Man Blog Hop Winner (pop over and get the full list of winners) for my blog is WILMA, congratulations Wilma, your brads will be on their way very shortly.....hopefully the Postman can still get to your door....the winner of my Surprise Candy is, KYM (could you e-mail me Kym with your address, so that I can get the goodies off to you) congratulations and thank you to all who took part, hopefully it was a bit off crafty fun, after the Xmas festivities....

Onto my card, this is for Cute Card Thursday, CH94, who wanted "NEW", Cards for Men, CH02, who also wanted "New suitable for a boy, man etc" Tellen Place, wanted to see the colours Blue & Silver, and I have followed the Sketch at MOJO Monday - MOJO120.......the layers are all there, but the Camera has not picked them up so well. I have used a CDM image which is Sheet 1, so very cute, don't you think, I coloued him with Promarkers and cut out layers of C&C Teddy papers. cards and ribbon......which I have had for ages in my stash, also added some buttons, I think you can guess that it is a "New Baby Boy Card"

Also in this post I want to introduce you to JANE, the Snowgirl, that Jenny and her friend, (Kerri, who is in the picture) have built, before Xmas and is still going strong.....you can see the path down to my shed, which is much worse now.....(and you can see Brian's shed, next door, which I crave for, as you all know), what do you think about Jane.?......

Classic Black & White at Tuesday Taggers

2010-01-05T09:54:00.000Z

Well my dear friends I am a little late with this posting today, this is the 1st time since the Christmas (school holidays) started that I have overslept, and the kids go back to school tomorrow....must have needed it, Brian was on Night Shift last night, his 1st night back, and I did not sleep very well until he came home a 7am....hate the night shift.....would think after 20 years I would be used to it.......

Anyway onto the business off the day, at Tuesday Taggers, we have "Classic Black and White" to whet your appetite.....this was a pleasure to do, after all the xmas colours.....and my 1st every black and white card....I decided to use my Little Claires peel offs, onto white card and mounted it onto black.....I thought I would use this card for a member off the family, as we have about 10 young adults turning 17 this year (my Jenny being one off them), and we all know that at 17 they are dying to get into driving lessons..... but Jenny's boyfriend had a birthday on New Years Day, and off it went there, with a little bit off extra wording...and he loved it, so did his Mum, who is going to be giving me some orders throughout the year...how cool is that for the start of 2010........We have a Guest DT joining us this week Irene, you must pop over and look over her blog, she is a very talented crafter. The DT's Sisters have as usual weaved their magic and come up with some brilliant projects....so come on girls....pop over and enter our challenge this week.....also don't forget that I have some Candy for the winner of the Name off my Kitten up the tree.......posted somewhere below.....Much Love Avril xxxxxxx

Fancy Borders at Sophisticat

2010-01-04T08:19:00.000Z

At Sophisticat for the 1st challenge of the New Year, we wanted to ease you in with a simple Fancy Borders theme.......pop over and check our DT projects to give you some inspirations. I decided to do an Easel Calander, which again, I have used another fabulous image from CDM, everyone in the family wants a Calander, so I think I have about 5 more to do, so watch this space...LOL. we have a fab prize from our Sponsor Julie at JB Crafting Supplies, so girls you don't want to miss out on some lovely crafting goodies, so get out the fancy borders and start creating.......I will be back to catch up with you all as soon as my adapter turns up, Tommy is up now and wants to play at Club Penguin, and as it is a rule that no-one uses my laptop, I only have myself to blame....LOL....love to all my dear friend, and I hope that 2010 is being kind to you all.......Love Avril xxxxx

Love at CDM

2010-01-04T07:55:00.000Z

A fab Monday morning, well I did warn you that I have been busy in my shed over the last week, and here is one off the projects I finished, at CDM we have off course a LOVE theme, this is on Sheet 133 from Linnie all off which are fantastic and I am sure with Valentines day around the corner, you will have great use off. We welcomed a Guest DT Maria to the fold and she has given us a fantastic project, to start off the New Year, as did all our DT girls....you must go over and take a look, and I urge you all to take part in our challenge this week.......I will be back later, computer permitting, my adapter for my laptop died a death last night, whilst I was visiting you all, this is Tommy's laptop which is very, very tempremental, according to my SIL to be is needing a new motherboard (whatever that is), thankfully I had posted all my projects on Friday, so they were more or less ready to go, with the pictures inserted etc, or goodness knows when you would have heard from me again.....Brian is going to PC world this morning to hopefully get me a new Adapter.....I will be back with my project for Sophisticat, all being well. Have a fab day my dear friends and don't forget to pop over to CDM and join in our challenge......Much Love Avril xxxx

Happy 2010 from Winter Wonderland

2010-01-03T11:07:00.001Z

A very good Sunday Morning dear friends, I wonder if you have recovered from the festivities yet, I know that I have.....at Winter Wonderland we have a few things going on, we are looking for some DT's to join us, and I have to say being a newbie myself, I cannot think off anywhere nicer to be, a friendly bunch off girls who have a motto of "family and life come 1st", and they have made me very welcome indeed. We are looking to update our blog and although there are a few Christmas Challenge blogs starting out this month, on blogland and we hope that you will not forget us the "Original Christmas Blog". To ease us into the year we have a colour combo to get you going, "Cinnamon, Lime and Berry", I decided to do a Happy New Year card, using a fab digi image from CDM which I have to say I am geting a bit addicted too, I hope you all love them too......We are also having a blog Hop at the end of January, with some fantastic prizes up for grabs so keep a look out for that too........phew, I thing I have remembered everything....LOL....Have a fabulous Sunday my dear friends...I am off to get Breakfast in Bed......be back soon.....

Back from my BinB...LOL and am linking this card to Charisma Cardz, who are having a bloghop to celebrate their 1st birthday, you must pop over and take part, they have some really awesome prizes up for grabs........their challenge is "Celebrations" so I think a card for the New Year and infact a New Decade, which I believe is going to be called the "T's" is appropriate.....

Happy New Year and Challenge 3 from ECP

2010-01-01T20:43:00.000Z

A very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all, I hope that so far 2010 is being kind to you all, I had an adventure in the snow last night, just as the bells went and I raised my glass of champagne, Brian's phone went, the Fire Alarm had gone off at his work, a joke I thought, but no.....in -10 degrees and snow everywhere, I had to take the "Alchoholic" to work....and pick up one off his workmates from a wee village outside off Edinburgh, and I thought, what a way to spend the New Year.....but here we are safe and well, and I was right Mhairi and Allen did appear from Dundee to ring in the Bells with us....

Challenge 3 at ECP is here today, and is very gentle to get you into the swing off things, We have a fabulous sketch from Katie, to hopefully give you some inspiration, we were lucky to get to play with some great downloads from our New Sponor this year, the fabulously talented Sharon Armstrong from WillowDesigns, if you have not already played with her digis, I have used Precious and the backing paper, this is the 1st time I have printed out backing paper and it worked out really well, very pleased with it..... you must give it a go, they are a pleasure to work with, as usual our DT girls have been busy coming up with fab projects to give you all some ideas....so come on girls give us a go, and support both us and Willow Designs.....much love Avril xxxxx

No Cards - A Picture of our Kitten in the Tree

2009-12-31T11:42:00.000Z

Well friends the last day off the year and in fact the decade.....is it really 10 years since Millenium madness...and what a lot has happened......I have made some cards but they are for projects next week, so I am sorry, to tease you, but you will have to come back, tomorrow for the 1st one...off the year......
I thought I would post a picture off our Kitten, who has no name yet, so names please.......and a surprise Candy for the Winners......our Cat Poppy had 3 kittens in August and as yet no homes have been found so I guess they are staying, there are 2 girls and a boy, all black and white...this girl is very clever she opens the door and lets herself and here brother, sister, Mum, and 2 Aunties in.......this is the 1st year that I am sure our tree will not be up until 12th night (Brian is threatening to take it down today.....yikees, I am afraid to go to the shed....), as you can see it is pretty wrecked....LOL......so we are looking for 3 names, 2 for girls and 1 for a boy, the boy is the quietest off all, our present cats are called Pip, Poppy and Baby (Baby was raised by me as a kitten, as her mother was unfortunately run over, a couple off days after she was born, so hence the name...).

Remember also you have until Midnight on the 3rd off January to enter The Stamp Man, blog hop, (post below), I am amazed at all the entries all ready, there are 400 brads and also a surprise for 1 other......I don't think that the stocking will be going up the loft this year....LOL.....

Have a fabulous "Hogmany" and raise a glass at the BELLS to friends Old and New.....Much Love Avril xxxx

The Stamp Man Blog Hop Candy and Award Event

2009-12-27T11:00:00.011Z

Today The Stamp Man is celebrating with a Blog Hop Candy and Award Event, running from 27 December until 3 January 2010, 1st off all if you have come from Tracy you are on the right track, if not please go back to The Stamp Man, and follow from there, you are picking up letters for a word or a phrase......My letter is "O" and you wll find the next letter at Kay's blog.......You must visit every blog to collect the letters and once you have the word or phrase, you are to e-mail it to Jill at thestampman@btconnect.com with your answer, please Don't leave your answers on any off the blogs

For more information about the New Award from The Stamp Man, pop over and check out how to go about getting this award.......

There are prizes at each station, and here there are 400 Assorted Brads up for grabs, HERE I love Brads, especially now that I have my crop-o-dile, and no longer have to do the Ping thing...LOL.I will also be picking a name for some Surprise Candy too.....so come on start hopping girls......

There is so much exciting things going on at The Stamp Man today and you do not want to miss this opportunity for a bit fun, with your blogging buddies and a wee release from the kitchen...LOL......we were to choose a project that we were particulary proud off this year, and I have to say that my style has changed so much since joining blogland, I have learned so much and know that I have so much more to learn and can't wait until 2010 and the projects that you girls come up with for inspiration......I have choosen the 1st Calander I made, which I loved, my grand-daughter Sinead laid claim to it many months ago...LOL. I used the Patchwork Pals kit, that I really love and by coincidence QVC have a TSV today off Patchwork Pals, which I hope they have on again later in the year, for obvious reasons.....as I wanted to collect them all, how could they have a craft day 2 days after Xmas.....BOOOHOO.......LOL.

Have a fab day at the bloghop girls and I am so looking forward to getting back to my shed and creating some new projects for the New Year.....Love to you all.....Avril xxxxxx

Winter Wonderland - Thank You Cards

2009-12-27T09:00:00.009Z

A Very good Sunday Morning to one and all, I hope you ALL had a fantastic Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year, I for one, just want to get back to my crafting and blogging, but with all the family around, it is utterly impossible....LOL...also the snow down to my shed is still pretty deep here in Edinburgh, but I did manage to do a Card for my MUM who has a birthday on Hogmany, she will be 71.....I thought, I made it around our challenge at Winter Wonderland this week, which is Thank You cards, could be for the Xmas Gifts etc, but I thought I would Thank my MUM for my life......could there be any greater thing...

I hope you all feel in the mood for crafting this week girls, should you have the time, and join us with this fresh new challenge, our girls as usual have come up with some great projects, also pop over and give our Guest DT Marianne support, we have loved having her as our Guest she is a very talented crafter

Also pop over and see the changes that are coming your way at Winter Wonderland, next year.....

I will be back later on with the Blog Hop for the Stamp Man, so until then, have a great day. Much Love Avril xxxxxx

Merry Christmas, Santa has been, Yipee....

2009-12-25T07:32:00.002Z

Merry Christmas to all of MY Friends on Blogland, Santa has beenhere, but as yet there is not stirring from the rooms above, so thoughtI would take this opportunity to Wish You ALL a very Merry Christmas, Ihave not cards as the snow has been too deep to get down to my shed,the cards for my family here are stuck in there...LOL, well they canmaybe do for next year.....

I will be back on Sunday,with a Blog Hop for The Stamp Man, so drink, open pressies and enjoyyour time with your families as I will do with mines, the Dumpling ismade the Turkey is ready to go in the oven and I have my grandson, son,daugher and hubby here, what more can a girl ask for.....

LoveYou ALL, and here is to many, many days and years off friendship, Iwould also like to thank everyone for their beautiful cards and gifts,I will treasure them forever and ever and am so very touched. I hope Idid not miss anyone out.

Love Avril xxxxx

Let it Snow at Tuesday Taggers

2009-12-22T05:07:00.000Z

A Great Tuesday Morning dear friends, I hope you are all getting to grips with the Christmas Celebrations, I am slowly catching up, but have to spend another day shopping, pity the money is running out, LOL.......we have a 2 week challenge for Tuesday Taggers, which unbelievable is "Let in Snow" and the snow is pouring out off the sky as I write this, we have a £15 voucher for the Craft Barn for the Winner of this challenge, so if you are not too sick of the Snow, put it on a Card, a Tag, even a New Years Card.......whatever takes your fancy and enter our challenge, pop over and check out the fab projects that us Girls have brought to you......I hope to be back before Xmas with maybe a challenge card, should I have the time, but if not, I would like to wish you ALL A FABULOUS XMAS........Love Avril xxx

Happy New Year at Winter Wonderland

2009-12-20T08:00:00.001Z

A Happy Sunday Morning to you all, well only 5 more sleeps and Santa will be here, I am getting alll ickapicsited........LOL. I managed to get some christmas shopping done yesterday, whilst driving in blizzard conditions, my car handled the snow beautifully, so we got home safe and sound if not more than a little sore, I am hoping to get things wrapped up today and get a bit of crafting done, still a few christmas cards to do.....where has the time went....Well today at Winter Wonderland we want to see "Happy New Year" projects.....we have a fantastic Guest DT Marianne joining us, so please pop over and give her your support, along with all our usual, talented DT sisters.....we have a new sponsor this week In Style Stamps, so get your proejcts in for a chance to win a fab prize.....I bought a diary from the £1 store and decided to cover it, this is did with some of the New K&Co papers that were a TSV recently on QVC, I used some free images from one of the craft magazine (sorry cannot remember which one, as I have so many, just bought another 2 yesterday, I think I am addicted to buying them too....LOL). I made a wee envelopes at the back, using a CD cover, for notes.....I know I will be using this next year for my blogging......and it only cost a £1.....hope you all like it.....Much Love Avril xxxxx

Challenge 2 - ECP Challenges

2009-12-18T20:09:00.000Z

A great Friday evening, to you all my dear friends,( I hope you are all getting ahead with your Xmas plans, and are not getting stressed....) here we have the 2nd challenge at ECP Challenge, ( I would like at this point to thank everyone who joined our 1st challenge, everything that was entered was Awesome, so thank you)...we want to see one of the projects set out below:- (You can create anything you like - a card, scrapbook LO, alteredprojects, ATC...whatever. You can also interpret the projects to suityou). I decided to go with the Christmas Bag, made out off a box that was given me at my birthday, I used a 12 x 12 Patchwork Xmas Paper to cover and make the handle....embellishing it with some gold tinsel, I used an Image from CDM again, as I just love these cute designs, you can obtain it from CDM, just ask Linnie for sheet 90.......I coloured the image with Marsh Green and Orange, and used glitter and gems from my stash, I am quite pleased how this bag turned out, so girls pop over and check out the awesome projects from our DT, and take part in our challenge, which is open until 31 December. We are again being sponsored by the Cutting Cafe, who have a fabulous range of digital images, so remember you have to "Be In It too Win It"... I am also going to enter this into Passion for Promarkers, who wanted "anything but a card", so I think this qualifies.....

Christmas Bag -http://www.easycraftprojects.net/Projects/4258christmas_bag.pdf
Stockings - http://www.easycraftprojects.net/Projects/3027felt_stocking.pdf
Calender - http://www.easycraftprojects.net/Projects/5994calendar.pdf
Recycled Glass Jars - http://www.easycraftprojects.net/Projects/797recycle_recycle_recycle.pdf
Picture Frame - http://www.easycraftprojects.net/Projects/4150picture_perfect.pdf

Jolly Old St. Nick at Tuesday Taggers

2009-12-15T07:34:00.000Z

A very good Tuesday morning my dear friends, and this week at Tuesday Taggers we want to see "Jolly Old St. Nick" on your projects, you can't have christmas without him, can you.....LOL....As we had the bloghop to celebrate his birthday, we decided to Dedicate a Challenge to him.....we have a fantastic Guest DT Suzanne, join us this week, pop over to her blog girls and give her your support, also take a look at all the projects that our talanted bunch off girls have made for you this week, I have used another "Gift Image" from Christine, thank you again my dear "Yorkshire Pudding", I have truly loved using the images you sent me, as you can see by my projects......thanks for looking girls, my bottom is still a bit sore, so I am stuggling to get round to you all, but know that you are in my thoughts.....Hugs Avril xxxx

Challenge 15 - Sophisticat - ANYTHING XMAS

2009-12-14T07:53:00.000Z

Another card from me this morning girls, I hope I don't bore you, this time MY Challenge this week at Sophisticat, which is the last off the year is ANYTHING XMAS, I know that this is the last push on the Xmas Cards before they have to go out in the post.....I really need to get down to writing mines, but wait a minute, do you have to sit to do that.....LOL......thanks to all who have sent me a Xmas Card, each and everyone is totally amazing and I am going to sort out a couple of Card Keepers, in the New Year, so that I can treasure them forever......I used to moan (in a jokey way, off course) that I never got a Home-made card, but this year WOW......thank you all, now onto my card, I made a Rocking Card, for the wee girl next door who will be celebrating her 1st Xmas, she is just so gorgeous, I made a rocker card and covered it to hopefully look like a bib.....not sure if that worked, I used the Baby's 1st Xmas Stamp that I bought from the fabulous Janet at Pink Gem Designs, I know you all love her stamps, as I have seen them around Blogland, but this one is sooooo cute, I embellished the bib with goodies from my stash, in real life the card looks so much better, but the light is just not good for taking pictures, maybe I should be asking Santa (in the year Dot) for a Super Duper Camera.....LOL. So pop on over to Sophisticat and take part Lisa has sorted out some goodies for the winner......Off to finish my last DT project, which I am teasing you with, cos you won't see it until Friday.....can you guess.......Love you All, Hugs Avril xxxxx

Green & Gold with Cute Daisy May

2009-12-14T07:37:00.000Z

Morning ladies,thank you all for your good wishes yesterday, I have been working away all week on my DT projects and have 1 still to complete, as promised I am here with my entry for this week challenge at Cute Daisy May, this week we want Xmas Green and Gold, I have used another awesome image from Linnie's images, I am so lucky to be allowed to play with these brilliant images, have to get to know the names off them, but honest they can be yours to play with too, get over and take a look at the challenge, as usual I am working with a talented bunch of girls, that I have admired from afar, since I joined, blogland...I used an embossing technique that I saw on Dawn Bibby's show on Tuesday, using a Stix, glue stick and gold embossing powder, I really enjoyed this and unfortunately you will be seeing quite a lot in the future...LOL....have a great Monday everyone. Hugs Avril xxxxxx

Nativity at Winter Wonderland

2009-12-13T09:16:00.000Z

A Fab Sunday Morning to you all, do you want to own 3 Digi Kits from Regina Easter at the Cutting Cafe, if the answer is yes, then you want to join us at Winter Wonderland, this week, we are looking to see "Nativity" on your projects this week, now that posed a problem for me, I found some decoupage sheets, cut them out and glued them and realised there was no Baby Jesus.....so out came the peel offs for babies, I found a Baby in a Cradle and mounted it onto card and coloured it, leaving the Baby Silver.....also used some free colouring pages on the internet to find the Stable.....so I think that I got all the elements of the "Nativity" in.....I always send a "nativity" card to my best friends Mum and Dad, so this will be going to them.....hope you like, please pop over and check out my DT sisters projects, you will get the inspiration to take part,( also check out our Guest DT Vicki, pop over and give her your support) I know you will....so head on over girls, have a fabulous Sunday girls, the count down is on to Xmas now.....and I have no shopping done yet.....but Brian gets paid on Friday so next weekend will be dedicated to doing the shopping.......Hugs to you All, Avril xxxxx

Apologies and Thank You's

2009-12-13T03:41:00.000Z

Morning ladies, it is 3.31am Sunday Morning and I am up and in pain, so thought I would do a quick post. I am so sorry for being away most off the week, I really have been suffering this week, with the dreaded Fibro, it is attacking me in all sorts off places, making, sitting, standing, walking, just impossible, to top it all I went off to my shed on Friday to do some DT work and slipped on the stones, have to really think about bringing my crafts into the house, as it is getting dangerous for me to even go to the bottom off the garden, I will wait until after Xmas and get something sorted out.....I am lucky that poor Kenny has not got a job at the minute (not so lucky for him), as he is on hand when I need him, poor lad, that is not what I gave birth to him for....but he is a good lad and I am lucky to have him, sorry for the moan, I will be back later on with some DT cards. Thank you to everyone who has visited me this week, I have tried to get round everyone, but if I have missed you out, I am so sorry, I also have thanks you to give to:

Joey

Jan

Janet

for their birthday cards and gifts that have came this week, thank you girls, I love you all for your kindness, also a thank you must to to Angie, for the gorgeous scarf that came in the post yesterday, which was her blog candy, Angie, I love it, it is so soft and warm, both in colour and feel and I will wear it and treasure it always...

One thing I am sure off no matter how bad a day I have, I always get cheered up, reading my blog and I am so grateful that I entered blogland and found all you inspiring people, who give me the urge to carry on crafting....so thank you for that, sorry if you are all depressed now, but I will be back later on a cheerier note with my DT cards for Cute Daisy May and Winter Wonderland, so please stop by and see what I have made this week. Hugs Avril xxxxxx

Cute Card Thursday-CH90-SEW BEADY (my 2nd Guest DT card)

2009-12-10T09:51:00.000Z

Morning ladies, I am sorry I have not been around, I have been suffering with the dreaded Fibro, but to the extennt that I have had to lie on my Stomach......this is such a pain at this time off year when you really cannot afford to loose days....anyway I do do have a card to post, this is my 2nd Guest DT card for Cute Card Thursday, Ch90 is SEW BEADY,,yes they want to see beads on your projects.....I have used another gorgeous image that Christine sent me, I decided to make it in to a Shaker Card,(sorry about the picture, in real life it is truly lovely, but my camera is not good with silver bits....does anyone know the secret of this?.), for my grand-daughter for Xmas, this image reminds me off her....I used some off my Kanban cardstock from last year and some beaded embellishments, I hope you like it girls, and I am hoping to get down to my shed and play today, I have not been down since Sunday and I am having Withdrawl symptoms......

I also have a thank you to Christine and Shirley, who sent me cards for my Birthday, thank you so much my dear friends, I love them and will keep them forever.......I have been so lucky to meet so many wonderful friends on blogland and I will thank god daily for heading me this way, although I think Dawn Bibby has something to do with it....LOL.....

Xmas Trees at Tuesday Taggers and the Winner of MY image fort the BLOGHOP

2009-12-08T07:55:00.000Z

Well ladies another thank you for all your good wishes that kept coming though yesterday, I really appreciate each and every one, The Hop at the Taggers on Sunday was an overwhelming success, thanks mainly to all off you for taking the time to hop along with us.....so Thank you again.....

This week at Tuesday Taggers, we want to see your creations to include "Christmas Tree", as per usual, our DT's have come up with spectacular projects again, also this week we have a Guest DT playing along, so please pop over and give Lisa your support...I know that we are all probably getting a bit sick of Xmas cards (well I am not, I could make them all year round....LOL) but very soon the last posting day will be here, so get out your crafting goodies and take part in our Challenge this week......

Tommy is a wee star again and has choosen the winner, isn't he fab doing this 1st thing in the morning before he has his breakfast.....

The Winner of my Santa Image is:-

Charlotte

Twinkle for Xmas - Cute Daisy May

2009-12-07T08:39:00.000Z

Well ladies Monday has finally arrived, what a fantastic weekend I have had, receiving loads of presents and cards from my wonderful friends on blogland, and my family, also I won the Scraf on Angie's blog, which has just topped everything off.....

This week at Cute Daisy May we are having a "Twinkle for Xmas" challenge, I have used the adorable image from Sheet 90, which can be purchased from Linnie at CDM.....I used different colours from my normal, I used a Coral Promaker and made different shades with it. I had a page from my and used a Bronze gel glitter pen to go round the outline of flowers on the paper...I cut a circle of glitter card with my trusty Slice machine to put my image on, I used my snowflake corner punch and gems to finish the card off....our DT's have made some stunning projects, so pop over, check them out and enter this weeks challenge, please.......I am entering this card into A Spoon full of Sugar CH80 for their challenge of "Non-traditional" xmas colours, also Paperplay Challenges CH44 want "Xmas WITHOUT Red & Green" so I think this fits....hope you like my alternative colours.....

Now the Winner of my Candy for last weeks Blog Hop is NICOLA, pulled out of the Santa hat by my grandson Tommy...well done Nicola and thank you everyone for taking part........

Sophisticats CH14 - Verse & Flowers (No Image)

2009-12-07T08:06:00.000Z

As Promised my entry for
my DT project at Sophisticats, this week our Lisa has picked the theme "Verse & Flowers - No Image". I decided to do a Calander for my best friend, using some Grunge Board, I have used my Alchohol Inks and Spritzers to do the backing. I used a Verse and some words, from a K&Co kit that I have rarely even looked at, I used my Crop-a-dile to put the gromets in to hang the ribbon from and used flowers and buttons from my stash. I hope you like this, I got right messy with the inks, but had a fab time making it.....Now do you want to be a GUEST DT at Sophisticats in the New Year, well then this is your chance, get your entries into this weeks challenge, and may I say at this point a huge Thank you to all the challengers from last weeks challenge, what an amazing amount of entries we had, our challenges are just going from strength to strength and that is all due to YOU...as always I hope you like my project.

Thank you all for my birthday Wishes, Cards and Presents

2009-12-07T07:59:00.000Z

Good Morning my dearest of Friends I would like to Thank you ALL for the birthday wishes you sent me, whilst hopping around at the Tuesday Taggers, blog hop yesterday, I have just had the time to read all your lovely good wishes.

I want to say a Special thanks to:

Stef (yes, yours was the 1st to arrive, but I am a good girl and waited until my birthday to open)

Lyn

who all had my postman beat a trail to my door all week, getting me more and more excited for the big day...I have never had so many cards and presents to open in my whole life, and I loved all the crafting goodies you all sent me, I hope I can do justice to everything you sent me, and I cannot wait to get to my shed today to play.....Lyn I will be looking for hints and tips.......or those stamps and images will turn out all girly...LOL....

I did not open my cards and gifts until later in the day, when I woke up, my 1st priorty was to get the Blog Hop up and running and I want to thank all my fellow DT's for all their hard work and support, without whom the blog would not have happened....I thank everyone who has taken part and you still have until tonight to take part, my candy will be announced tomorrow morning along with my challenge project for TT.....

Tommy had his football in the morning and the poor wee darling and his team got beaten a very astounding 10-0, so he was not a happy bunny when he came home, I was then banished to my shed, whilst, my Hubby and daughter put up balloons etc, ect, there was a balloon trail all the way from my shed....from my family I got some PJ's (which I live in all the time), Patrick & Lisa Swayze (autobiography), Jewellery and vouchers to spend in my local craft shop.....my best friend Patricia, gave me an awesome bag and jewellery, Nikki (My Older daughter) sent me through fabulous cards and a totally awesome Candle Holder that she made, thank you Nikki you really are very precious to me and getting more talented by the day....my younger daughter Mhairi and Allen, brought my Mum and Step dad through and there were more pressies to open....Clinique facial things from Mhairi and Allen, a Top (which I wore yesterday, as I got into my size 8, skirt, that my Mum bought me for Xmas 2 years ago, and I could not fit into it then......), I got an ornament, and funny bits and pieces (like a Dumpling, and Pear Cider) - see Christine told you I was the Edinburgh Dumpling.....my Aunt and Uncle gave me a voucher for Dorothy Perkins.....and then their was the Candles to blow out on my cake.....(have not had a bit yet).....so in other words, dear friends I was spoiled rotten......We then went off to Winter Wonderland, where I consumed 3 Mulled Wines and Mince Pies (mmmmmm), the kids went on some rides and then it was home for Brians Home-made Soup and Chicken Casserole....I have not lifted a finger in the kitchen all weekend....there is even some soup left for my dinner today...LOL, and right to the end of the day when my OLLY got through to the Final's of the X-Factor, how great can a day get.....my finger was on re-dial, for him, and as it was my birthday, I was allowed...LOL....

You will be fed up seeing me here today, as I have my projects for Sophisticats and Cute Daisy May to post, and also the Winner for the CDM Blog Hop last week, so please come back, and see what I have for you all, I love you ALL and thank you again for making my day and my time here on blogland so very, very special for me......

Santa's Birthday, Tuesday Taggers Bloghop & HO!HO!HO! at Winterwonderland

2009-12-06T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning ladies and today is the Birthday of the great Santa Claus.......and we are celebrating with a BLOGHOP at Tuesday Taggers, so are you in the mood of a bit of fun and a chance to win some prizes on the way, then you have come to the right place....it is easy, all the DT's and Special Guests have bought a great Image from Teri's Delicous Doodles, Teri is one of the most fantastic and talented designers, which I am sure you will agree with, and to be in with a chance of winning the image above which off course is "Santa Claus" leave a comment here on my blog, you have to collect letters to make a word or phrase, which at the end of a blog we want you to e-mail at tuesdaytaggers@gmail.com, please don't leave the answer on the blogs......if you have come from Tracey, you are on the right track, if not please go back to Michelle and start at the beginning....we have lovely sponors joining ust at the hop today and presented us with great prizes for the winner of the hop, so thanks girls for joining us.....the letter you need from me is B, now on you go and hop onto Jill, thank you for taking part and Enjoy yourselfs....I will annouce the winner of my Image on Tuesday when the challenge for next week is posted..... .

I have used this card for my DT card at Winterwonderland. This week is HO!HO!HO!, the DT's as usual have came up with superb projects so come over and check them out and enter this weeks challenge.....

I am off to enjoy my birthday, we are off to Winter Wonderland in Edinburgh, which is fabulous, and the German Market has the most Amazing "Mulled Wine" yum..........

1 Card for 3 challenges

2009-12-05T21:15:00.002Z

Hi girls, well I have had a busy day in the shed today, I had 2 days of creating nothing, and had to move my MOJO into place today. This card is for CH1 at Cards for Men, (this is a superb new challenge blog, with fabulous DT's who have done an amazing job) they want a Xmas card for a Man or a Boy, I used and Image from sheet 46 at CDM, this image could be yours to play with too....I am also entering Dare U 2 Digistamp, CH27 who want to see Red, Green and a Neutral colour, I am also entering into Fab's Big Christmas Challlenge, he wants us to use FREE PAPERS, from a craft magazine.....I am not sure which magazine these papers came out off, as I have loads and for the 1st time ever, this year, I have been using the free papers a lot....I am also entering into Pink Elephant's "Colour me Wonderful" CH43, where they want to know which medium you use and love, well mines is off course my trusty "promarkers"hope you like this girls, the picture is not as clear as I would have liked the sentiment at the top of the sheets is "Holiday Magic".

I hope you come back tomorrow girls to celebrate a very special birthday.....with a blog hop, with the Tuesday Tagger girls, some fab prizes up for grabs, not to be missed.....Love Avril xxxxx

1st Challenge for New Challenge Blog - EASY CRAFT PROJECTS

2009-12-04T20:46:00.000Z

Well the day has arrived and we are at our 1st Challenge for ECP, the theme for this week is "Turquoise", I made a Tree Ornament, using my trusty Acrylic Paints, I painted it about 10 times (no kiddin) to get the right colour, the image is from our sponsors The Cutting Cafe, who very kindly gave us some images to play with, I coloured the snowman with Promarkers and glittered him up, decoupaged his Scarf and Hat, and mounted him onto White Glitter Card, I added some bows and bells, and snowflakes and gems from my stash, I quite like this, and my tree is going to have my 1st Ornament on it next week...LOL, our new fantastic DT have made some great projects so once again I am asking you all to pop over and give me your support......if you can off course....Thank you and have a great day, hope you are all looking forward to the weekend, I turn 47 this weekend, which means I am moving nearer to the big 50......

Girly Swirly Challenge 89 for Cute Card Thursday, Guest DT

2009-12-03T09:18:00.000Z

Well good morning ladies and as promised I have a Special Card, away back in August, Caz, from Cute Card Thursday approached me to be a Guest DT for 2 weeks in December, (so I now have a new badge on my sidebar, how great is that), this is the 1st of the 2, which is for CH89 "Girly Swirly", I bought this PB stamp to make invitations for my nieces 30th birthday at the end of January (but Nikki has been good enough to agree to do the invitations, for me), she is having a Holywood theme party, complete with Red Carpet, Paparazzi and Awards, how cool does this sound, so I am hoping that there will be some nice ballgowns in the January sales. I used the stamp for this challenge, to test it out, used papers from HOTP, peel off swirly and glitter card, also a swirly white ribbon made into a bow from my stash, I hope you like this and forgive me teasing you....I had a great night last night with my friend, we ended up chatting so much over coffee when we first met that we left now time for a meal, so we had some nibbles and more coffee (well Patricia had Wine, but I was driving), she just made her Train home to Dundee by the skin off her teeth, I guess we should make more effort to meet up without all the family being present....LOL. Hope you all have a fab Thursday, I will be back later on to catch up on all your projects. Love to all. Avril xxx

Santa's Little Helper for 6 challenges

2009-12-02T15:45:00.001Z

Afternoon ladies, a nicer day here in Edinburgh, and I am getting excited, as I am meeting my friend of 42 years for tea at 5pm. Patricia and I met in Primary 1 in 1967, her birthday is the 5 December and mines is the 6 December, so we have always made time to celebrate, which over the years has got harder, as 7 years ago, she married Brian's brother Dom, so when we meet, there is the family and their demands around, so I am really looking forward to a good girly gossip.

I have just finished this card which I hope fits 6 challenges, CH10 at Crafty Catz Weekly, want to see "Angels or Fairies", so I used Tilda (I have named her Santa's Little Helper) which Christine sent to me a few weeks ago, thanks again, my dear friend..Character Cafe, TCCFF7, have a colour scheme, the closest I could get to the colours were my promarkers (duck egg blue, Moss and Rose Pink), which I hope meet their requirements. CH39 at Creative Card Crew, want to simply see Christmas,
CH19 at Kaboodledoodles want to see Snowflakes, (which is in the backing papers and I have added some peel offs, for extra sparkle). CH2 at 2 Red Bananas want to see a Christmas/Winter Card and last but not least Stamp With Fun CH35 want to see a Xmas project....WOW, just as well we have commas, or I would be out of breath, LOL. Hope you are all having a great day girls, and remember to put a spot in your Diary to Celebrate the birth of St, Nick Blog Hopping, with the Tuesday Taggers on Sunday 6 December.....also I am back tomorrow with a special card, but the rest is a secret, well it is the time for secrets and dreams.....Love YOU ALL. Avril xxxx

1 Card for 2 challenges

2009-12-01T17:54:00.000Z

Afternoon ladies from a Wild and Windy Edinburgh, I have here a quick post for 2 challenges, 1 at Tellens Place their CH2(this is a fab challenge blog that is just started and there are loads of goodies to be won, go over and check it out if you have not done so already), is asking for Green and Red, as is Incy Wincy Designs CH20. I have used a CDM design that I bought last week, as I thought it was too cute for words....I have used papers, gems and embellishments from my stash, I hope you like it. I will be back later with another post. Till then, hope you are all having a great Tuesday, Hugs Avril xxxx

Tuesday Taggers - Christmas Carols

2009-12-01T09:00:00.001Z

Good Tuesday morning dear friends, and thank you so much for everyone who joined our HOP yesterday, my left leg, was tired out by the end off it...LOL.

We want you to sing along with the Tuesday Taggers this week, yes, get your voices into tune and away we go, and I think with all of singing along to the X-factor we will make a great sound......for our "Christmas Carols" .We have a fantastic guest DT with us this week, please sing a huge Welcome to Angie, and if you have not already seen Angie's blog, you must, as she is one off the most talented people I have ever Cyberly met...Our DT's have also come up with fantastic projects as always so pop over and check them out.... I have went with my trusty Morehead boy and girl singing, I made the card quite simple, they are singing "Silent Night" in honour of me loosing my voice this weekend...LOL .I want to thank you all for taking part in our "Festival of Light" last week, what awesome entries we had for that, Good work Girls and keep up your support it is greatly appreciated.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Also we are going to have a Bloghop on Sunday 6th December to celebrate the Birthday of our dear friend "Santa Claus", well we celebrate the birth of Jesus, so now it is Santa's turn, keep checking our blog for details nearer the time......Love your all Avril xxx

Sophisticats WK 13 and Jan has Snowflakes and Sparkle for us.

2009-11-30T11:58:00.001Z

Hi ladies this is my post for the Sophisticats WK13, our talented Jan, has choosen the fantastic theme off Snowflake and Sparkle, now I don't know about you guys, but I think snowflakes are going to be coming for real very soon......I love the Snow, even though I cannot get out, it is just so beautiful to watch and see...

Lisa has a prize up for grabs for the winner of this weeks challenge, Thank you Lisa for your generosity, you always come up trumps for us girls....I made a Napkin Holder for Xmas, using yet again my trusty acrylic paints, (I had such a problem getting the paint off of me for the party girls......), I edged the holder with silver ink pad and decorated with Die cut Snowflakes with added glitter and gems for Sparkle.....hope you like it girls and hope you have a fantastic day. Love to you all. Avril xxxxx

1st Ever Blog Hop with Cute Daisy May, we want GEMS

2009-11-30T07:57:00.002Z

Well friends as promised yesterday, we are having an exciting Blog Hop at Cute Daisy May, and I am part off it, how great is that.....there are some awesome prizes up for grabs on the way around, and for the winner Linnie has some fabulous images, now you don't want to miss out on any chances of winning so here is what I WANT you to DO. If you have come from Lora you are on the right track if not go back to Beccy and start from there you will be collecting Letters which will make a word or phrase........you have to visit every blog and leave a comment on this weeks projects for Cute Daisy Mays Gems challenge, you will see so many of our Fabulous images and the girls are just so talented you will be amazed.....I used a free download from Linnie, her drawings are just the cutest, and honestly take me back to my childhood, and reading the "Twinkle"

I have some candy on offer(Patchwork Pals, stamps)(and some mystery items...) for the visitors to my blog, and although I don't have Mr Linky (I have to learn about this very soon), so as in the time honoured tradition, Santa's Hat will come into play and Tommy will do the draw....LOL. Good Luck everyone, much Love Avril, and before I forget) my Letter is M now off you go to Valou (who has also joined the DT along with myself) to get your next letter, don't leave the answer in my comments you must e-mail your answer, the link for this is on the Cute Daisy May challenge blog....Good Luck

My 1st Project as a DT at Winter Wonderland

2009-11-29T09:37:00.000Z

Brrrrr, It is a very cold dismal day here in Edinburgh, Winter has finally arrived, which I suppose is appropriate, as today, I am posting my 1st Project as a DT at Winter Wonderland. I want to thank you all, again, for all your support and kind comments during the week. Also I would like to say that Mhairi and Allen's party was FABULOUS, we all had a great night, and I was embarrased with a bunch of flowers, well the tears started, and I am not a teary person, but my All my kids were beautiful, my grandchildren were gorgeous, and here was my daughter giving ME...flowers......I got home about 4am and immediately I was in the house, the cold became a full blown COLD, and I slept most of yesterday, Mhairi and Allen turned up last night, we had a Chinese together, I think they are going to have a great life together.

Winterwonderland want us to make a Candle Holder or Stamp a Candle, I took delivery of some Tim Holtz grunge board, WOW, how fabulous is this ordinary looking stuff.....I had a Yankee Candle from last year that I had not used, so I made a candle holder, I painted the grunge board with Acrylic Paints (don't ask me what colours I used to get the final result, LOL) I made a gold marble effect, (which is not very visible on the on the picture) with gold acrylic and shaving foam. I moulded it into a holder for the candle and used FF images and gems to decorate. I finished it off with some ribbon from my stash, Hope you all like it and all take part in our Challenge over at Winterwonderland this week, The DT's who are a talented bunch of girls, that I am in AWE off have outstanding projects to show, so come on girls, pop over and take part.....Love to you all. Avril xxx

Please come back tomorrow, I have some exciting things going on..........have a great Sunday my dear Friends xxxxxx

1 Card for 3 Challenges

2009-11-27T13:59:00.001Z

Afternoon dear friends this is just a quick post before I go and start getting ready for the party, at the minute I have hair dye on, just waiting on it setting....

This card is for Digital Doodling Challenge 2, where there is a fab free image to use called Mrs Tilly Claus, how sweet is she.....they wanted to use a that is live at the minute of entering, so I followed the sketch at Mojo Monday WK114, I also want to enter this into Passion for Promarkers WK27, which is any colour and Vintage theme, I used Apricot, Cocoa and Spice for the colouring of Tiily's outfit, isn't she just beautiful, I used Satin and Ivory for her hair....hope you all like it girls, I will be away now and start to get all dolled up, I need all the help there is...LOL, I am streaming with the cold, and have a red nose and chapped lips, I am praying for a miracle.....LOL. have a great day, hopefully be back tomorrow, and thank you so much for all your good wishes this week, your comments mean so much too me, I think I managed to catch up with everyone this morning, I was up at 6am, sneezing was keeping me awake, so I thought, get up and switch into blogland....LOL. Hugs to you all. Avri lxxx

1 Card for 3 Challenges & More News, CAN MY LIFE GET ANY BETTER

2009-11-26T13:41:00.000Z

Afternoon Ladies, I cannot believe we are at Thursday already, nearly the weekend, how great is that. Thank you all so much for your kind wishes yesterday, your support and words are greatly appreciated. I was stuck in the shed for about 3 hours, and lost internet connection, just as well I have music, heat and off course all my craft things....I put the time to good use off course, and was wondering where my Shed and I were going to end up, LOL.

This card is for 3 challenges, 1st for Cute Daisy May, who wanted to see Christmas Red, the Elf (how great is this image) was a freebie over at Cute Daisy May last week. I want to share more news Linnie has asked me to be a Guest Designer on Cute Daisy May, I just love these images, they remind me of reading the Twinkle when I was a wee girl... the papers were free in one of the craft magazines, I have had such a great time using these papers this year, they usually just get left in the magazines and never looked at again....shame on me, the embellishments were in my stash, I also want to enter this card into Incy Wincy Designs, Challenge 19 who have an "Anything Goes" this week, there is a sketch to follow, but you don't have to use it. I am also going to enter this card into Cute Card Thursday No.88 which is "Snips & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails" and as the name suggest a card appropriate for a younger boy.....Well I have already ear-marked this card for my grandson Tommy's friend Jamie, who comes to stay most weekends and is just such a cute, cheeky wee boy........ Hope you like this girls, I have some more to post later on, and I have been very busy with my DT projects, the only hint I am going to give you is that I am again covered in paint......and my daughter's engagement party tomorrow....I hope I get it off...LOL. Love to you all as usual my dearest friends. Hugs Avril xxxxx

Card for WK 26 at Winterwonderland & Some More fabulous NEWS

2009-11-25T12:57:00.000Z

Well my dear friends, I am stuck in the shed, waiting for the rain to go off a bit, it is wild here in Edinburgh, and I hope that you are not sharing this awful weather.

I thought I would post my card for CH26 at Winterwonderland which this week was to use "No Xmas Stamps or Xmas Papers" and I thought mmmm, so out came the decoupage and my all time favourite characters from Moorhead, just love these cute wee characters. I then teamed it up with papers from my HOTP Floral book, which I got a few summers ago, and guess what it worked......Hope you like the result my dear friends.

Now onto my Fabulous News, Anne at Winterwonderland approached me this week and asked me if I would like to join their team on a permanent basis, (you will know that I had 2 guest spots earlier on this month), honest I was just so taken aback, but my obvious answer was YES PLEASE, I cannot believe how lucky I have been recently and I am working along some very talented ladies, that when I visit their blogs, I think, I wish I was as good as that.......how can they want little ole me, but I am so very very happy.....pop over to Winterwonderland this week and take part in their challenge this week, it does make you think, but also very possible.......as you can see.....

Festival of Light at Tuesday Taggers

2009-11-24T07:14:00.000Z

Morning dear friends, well we have reached another week at Tuesday Taggers, 1st off all I would like to thank everyone who took part in last weeks challenge, all your works was awesome and I love you all for your support.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

This week we are celebrating the "Festival of Light" which has different meaning to different people and faiths all around the world and we want to see yours......our DT as usual have surpassed themselves to showcase our "Festival of Light", pop over and check out all the fab projects and take part, we want to see, what Festival of Light means to you........

My project was quite simply a Candle, using the D&D images I cannot seem to make enough off these, with daughters, and grand-daughters around, I make one and it is gone....LOL, in honour of the season I got out my gorgeous Table runner to showcase the candle, I also made a matt for it sitting on, using a CD, which I coloured with acrylic paints and embossed with green tinsel embossing powder, just before taking the picture I sprinkled a little white glitter around it to look like snow....Hope you like.......have a fab Tuesday dear friends and just to let you know the book half won yesterday, I started projects in the shed, which I hope to finish today, but I spent a little time reading too, I have had a slack wisdom tooth (now I know you are falling about laughing, me with wisdom, well not anymore, cos they are all out now.....) for about 6 months and it came out yesterday afternoon, and I was very tired for some reason.......so I relaxed and read.....