A big thank you

A great big thank you to everyone has popped in this evening to leave really kind comments about my missing Mojo, you are too kind.
I hope that you are all having a restful weekend, I had a wee nap this afternoon as I didn't feel myself and woke up feeling guilty as we should have been decorating Abi's bedroom.....Oh well that's a job for tomorrow all the prep is done its just a case of painting and making pretty.

Where oh where has my Mojo gone?

I have really struggled with Mojo this week, I worked six days in a row, the kids were in and out all week and then the dreaded A's level results day. I don't think that the whole family has sat down for a meal together all week.
Well I did manage a few bits with some Stampin up sets, none of which I am particularly happy with. The kids are off for a couple of days again this week as their father is taking them to Alton towers with an overnight stay.
Feathered hope set


A tree for all seasons


Pick petal ( Make & take from my party )


Unfrogettable

Pick a petal ( Make & take from my party )

2 new sets

I have just had two new Stampin up sets arrive both Christmas Sparkling Season & 'Tis the season, so I can feel a crafting afternoon on Sunday, I hope that my Mojo comes back by then.

Sorry cant reply to e-mails at the moment

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......

8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favourite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!

6:00 pm - Oooh, Bath . Bummer.

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Diary

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now................

Cupcakes a yummy tutorial

Cupcakes a yummy tutorial
As I plough my way through valita's blog I just keep finding lots of goodies, for this project she even supplies a downloadable pattern.
Cupcake

Make your own prima flowers ~ Tutorial

Make your own prima flowers...........It looks so easy
Prima Flowers

6 cards from 1 sheet of paper

I was intrigued at this project I found, 6 cards from 1 sheet of paper.
Link
open up the PDF file and you too will be amazed at the 6 cards from one sheet of paper.

Post it note holder ~ video tutorial

I have found a really neat gift idea for post it note holders.
Angie has some great ideas on her blog with a whole host of tutorials.

Link

Have you ever clicked that button?

Have you ever clicked that button? the one on the Blogger toolbar that says "next blog"?
If you have a minute, click on it and you will be pleasantly surprised.
I thought if I clicked on it would take me to another of my own blogs.....but it takes you to another random blog, there are some amazing blog's that are non card making out there.
So have a click.............

Blog candy to celebrate a massive 65000 hits

Enfys over at Going Buggy
has some great blog candy to celebrate a massive 65000 hits.
Well done Enfys, your blog rocks.

Stampin up stash has arrived

My Stampin up stash has arrived & I cannot get into my stamping room to play.
My kids are swopping bedrooms which means new carpeting and each room need re-painting so everything & I mean everything is displaced and much of it has found its way into my stamping room. So I came home from work feeling very creative after watching Dawn demonstrate and work her magic with the Black Magic papers, Basic Grey & Doodlebug, only to find I cant reach anything......roll on Thursday which is my day off I can mount my new stamps ready for a crafting day.
I bought Pick a petal set
Stem sayings set
Simply said
Bold Brights cardstock
Earth Elements card stock
& my hostess gift was
In the spotlight.

I have already booked another party

Yummy blog candy

Michelle over at Michelles crafty paper has some beautiful blog candy over on her blog.
Some yummy Stampin up stash.

Penny Black Saturday challenge 8

Now to this weeks challenge

Challenge 8 - No Pink !!

Your cards can feature any colour, but NO PINK !!

as always its entirely up to you what you make - card, atc, altered art etc.. as long as it features
at least on penny black image.



Definitely no pink on here.

What a funny old day

When i woke up this morning it looked bright and full of promise so I put the washing out, by mid morning it had come over very dull so I bought the washing back in, but no rain, early afternoon hot sunshine & back out with the washing but by 4 o'clock it was hammering down, constant thunder, flashes of lightning for about 40 minutes so in came the washing again, as soon as the rain stopped out came the sun.
What is going on with the weather? it's now been raining for the past 2 hrs.

Despite being in and out with the washing....The same one load I might add I did manage to make a few cards. After my stampin up party I have been trawling through old catalogues and ideas books and dragging old sets back out an blowing the dust off to have a play.
This set is called A tree for all seasons.

The last card is another stampin up card from two different sets.

Safari Blog candy

This link will take you to Debbies candy where she has had her first set of safari stamps from Spiral Whisper and is offering some lovely candy.
Congratulations Debbie.

Exploding box ~ Tutorial

I have found a brilliant and very clear pictorial of the exploding box instructions.

Exploding Box

Bow maker top tip

If you dont have a bow maker you can use a crib board & matchsticks.

A.		Take a length of ribbon. Starting at the back, wrap the ribbon around both pegs,
		wrong side of the ribbon facing you, ending with both ends in front
B.		Place the left ribbon to the right of your bowmaker
C.		With the right ribbon, go around the left ribbon end, over towards the front then back under ribbon A
D.		Bring the right ribbon end over the top of the back ribbon, right side of the ribbon facing up
		You are finished with essentially the first square knot
		Next is another square knot to complete the bow
E.		Create a loop by bringing the left ribbon back towards the left side of the bowmaker
F.		Bring the right ribbon over and through the loop just made from the left ribbon, ending to the right
		Pull both ends tight.
		Remove the bow from the pegs and adjust if needed, tighten both ends carefully.

Encouage mints

Cut sayings apart, fold and put into a jar with mints.
Enough for one a day for a month! Decorate top of jar and add a poem on a sticky label or a tag can be tied on with ribbon,

The Poem for the label or tag.
Some days it seems like your luck has run out,
and you start to forget what it's all about.

So when you're feeling down and blue,
remember this jar made just for you.

And when things seem to turn for the worse,
grab a mint and read a verse!

Sayings

1. If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence,
   you can bet the water bill is higher.
2. Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is. Just don't break a limb doing it!
3. Crumbs of happiness make a loaf of contentment. It is up to you to shape it all together.
4. Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway. Turn the unknown into a blessing.
5. Risk it. You can't steal second and keep your foot on first. But the guy at third is keeping an eye on you!
6. Today's mighty oak is yesterday's little acorn that stood it's ground. Hang in there. Rain and fertilizer is what made the mighty oak strong!
7. The optimist says the glass is half full. The pessimist says the glass is half empty. The pragmatist, being thirsty, drinks the water. Pragmatists are never thirsty!
8. Getting over a bad experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.
9. The optimist says, "My cup runneth over, what a blessing." The pessimist says, "My cup runneth over, what a mess." Bless your mess!
10. We accomplish a lot more when we get rid of our ifs and ands and get off our butts.
11. The pessimist complains about the direction of the wind, the optimist expects the direction to change, but the leader simply adjusts the sails. Examine your sails periodically!
12. Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hair stylist you like. Never give up!
13. In the long run the pessimist may be right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip.
14. Money doesn't always bring happiness. People with ten million dollars are no happier than people with nine million dollars.
15. Be an optimist, but it's better to be an optimist who carries a raincoat.
16. Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror. It keeps the kinks out of your neck.
17. Triumph is what you get when you add an umph to try. Try it with an umph!
18. Put your nose to the grindstone and your shoulder to the wheel and you'll either get polished up or a pointed nose and round shoulders.
19. Worrying over troubles is like a rocking chair. You go back and forth, but don't get anywhere. So get your duff out of the chair and start to chase away despair!
20. The game of life is not so much in holding a good hand, as it is in playing a poor hand well. Learn when to play and when to fold!
21. A person who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle away to nothing. When you get to the size you like, just be yourself!
22. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on tight!
23. Happiness often sneaks in a door you didn't know you left open. Leave your doors open.
24. Encouragement is like premium gas. It helps take the knocks out of living. May life's journey be smooth.
25. An optimist laughs to forget. A pessimist forgets to laugh.
26. Success comes in cans. Failure comes in can'ts. Knock those "t"s off!
27. The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns. The pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose. Smell the rose but watch for thorns... and bees!
28. There is always something to be thankful for. When you cannot pay your bills, be thankful you are not one of your creditors.
29. A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition. Smile even on cloudy days!
30. What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. An occasional cleansing is needed but don't become a prune!
31. A giggle a day keeps the grumpies away! LOL
32. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the mastery of it.
33. Age is all in your mind...the trick is to keep it from creeping down into your body.
34. A bend in the road is not the end of the road...unless you fail to make the turn.

Threads of friendship

~ Threads of A Friendship ~

Contents: medium size card with the poem below on it and a tiny spool of thread glued to card.
Place inside of a zip lock sandwich bag.

Threads of A Friendship That Will Never Break:
Thank you for the laughter, for the good times we share.
Thanks for always listening, for trying to be fair.
Thank you for the comfort, when things are going bad.
Thank you for the shoulder to cry on when I'm sad.
This gift is a reminder that all my lifetime through,
I will be thanking heaven for a special friend like you.

Candy Cane seeds

(Use round, red and white peppermint candies - Place in small envelope or baggie. These are fun to hand out to students after reading a great Candy Cane Book!)

I once knew a gardner who knew how to grow
Bright tasty candies, from under the snow
I asked her to share her secret with me
And this is what she replied quite readily
To garden in winter snow is difficult you see
It takes lots of care and a very special seed
Here are a couple seeds to grow your own treats
And you'll soon reap a harvest of
candy cane treats!

Angel Feather Gift Poem

Materials
Feather
Card stock
Magnet

Instructions
This angel craft poem is an ideal craft for loved ones in need. You can make this project as simple as some card stock and a feather or you can place it into a box or gift card.

To make this angel feather poem all you need to do is write out the poem and attach a feather. If
you want to make a magnet, just glue on a flat backed magnet to the back of your card.

----Angel Feather Craft Poem----

This is an angel feather,
sent from God above,
to serve as a reminder,
of his gracious love.

It's from your guardian angel,
that God himself assigned to you,
And fell out in his struggles,
as he protected you.

Each time you almost stumble,
Each time you nearly fall,
Remember to,
Thank God and his angels,
for answering your call.

Sequin Christmas pudding

Sequin Christmas puddingMaterials
Polystyrene ball
Brown sequins
White sequins
Ribbon or thread
Holly leaf punched from fun foam or felt
Short pins also called lils

Instructions
Pin the brown sequins on the bottom half of the ball and the white on the top third.

In the gap simulate dripping cream by pinning the sequins in a wavy row.

When finished pin the holly leaf to the top and glue on a ribbon or some thread to hang it or you can put the ribbon on before the sequins for a more secure fixing.

New University course

Click Image for larger Picture

Make & Take from my Stampin Up Party

Here are the cards that Michelle designed for my Stampin up party make & takes.




Using the pick a petal set, which was on my wish list.

So excited

I'm so excited my friend amanda's designs are now available to pre-order on spiral whispers
There are currently four online fairy & Unicorn, Fairy boy with butterflies, Fairy mermaid & Guitar girl. These are the first four of a set of 10.
The detail in these drawings is amazing, pop over and take a look.

Chocaholic

Carol my work colleague is a chocaholic so when I had to make her a card to celebrate her birthday it had to be a choccie card, I have tried this card before and wasn't happy with the results so this is the second attempt, this time the folded over paper was double sided and I was able to achieve that just ripped open look to the box of chocolates.
The photo isn't the best but I was much happier with version 2 of the card. I think however that next time I try this card I will use 2 different colours one for the card itself and the other for the inner paper and that might be better.

Finally finished it off

I have finally finished off the welcome to the world card I made for my Granddaughter I had got so used to it being on the shelf I never got around to binding it, I know a two minute job with the Bind it all.

Explosion box ~ Tutorial

Explosion Box

by Beate Johns

Take the lid off of this box and the bottom folds flat like a card.

Supplies

• Paper cutter with scoring blade


• One 7 1/2" square of cardstock or patterned paper for box bottom


• One 4 1/4" square of cardstock or patterned paper for box lid


• Sticky Strip™


• Additional cardstock for inside message and embellishment for lid (optional)


• Stamps


• Ink

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Take the 7 1/2" piece of cardstock and score at 2 1/2" and 5" on one side.
   

   

2. Step 2

   Turn the cardstock 90 degrees and score at 2 1/2" and 5". There will be nine 2 1/2" squares scored on your cardstock.
   

   

3. Step 3

   Score the four corner squares diagonally from the outside corner in towards the middle square.
   

   

4. Step 4

   Stamp the box bottom.

   

5. Step 5

   Prefold all scores. Fold the diagonal scores in towards the middle of the box.
   

   

6. Step 6 (Optional)

   Add a message or saying to the box center.
   
   

   

7. Step 7

   Take the 4 1/4" piece of cardstock or patterned paper and score it at 7/8" on each side.
   

   >

8. Step 8

   On two opposing sides, cut the vertical score lines until they intersect with the horizontal ones. That will make the glue tabs.
   
   Optional: Cut the glue tabs down a bit to make sure they won't show when the tabs are taped to the sides of the lid.
   

   

9. Step 9

   With the right side of the lid facing up, add Sticky Strip™ to the glue tabs.

   

10. Step 10

    Prefold all scores and adhere glue tabs to the sides of the lid.

    

11. Step 11

    Decorate the top of the lid with cut out image or tag, add a little ribbon, and your box is done.

    

Variations

Change the size of the box
Make it bigger or smaller. The size of the bottom cardstock has to be able to be divided by 3. A 9" square would be scored at 3" and 6", a 12" square by 4" and 8".

For the lid the box with a the 9" square bottom would have to have a 5" square, scored 1" all the way around.
The box with the 12" square would have to have a 6 1/2" square, scored 1 1/4" all the way around.