Friday 27 September 2013

Where has the time gone?

Hello to all my fellow bloggers. I am so sorry to have been absent for what seems like an age but life takes over now and then and it takes a bit to get back into the swing.  Hopefully for me this is the start of getting into posting once more.

 I made a card yesterday for a lady who attends the "Good Companions Club" my mother goes to on a Thursday.  It was for a 95 year old but what did I do, sent it down with my mum and forgot to photograph it.  Really annoyed with myself as I had not made a card for a while.  I have made a few gift bags but not a card.  Anyway she was delighted with it and I have another two commissions for next week so better get the finger out and get them started.

Today I was rummaging through my last year's Christmas box and found a few toppers I had not used so today's offering is a simple card to get me into the swing.

 
It is an 8 x 8 Anna Marie Designs Gold Card, red spot card and Kanban topper and sentiment.  I added a few gold gems and there you are a simple Christmas card for the lazy person.  Sorry about the shine on the foil, bit difficult to get the right light to take a snap as it has been cloudy here all day.
 
My next attempts will be a bit more detailed as I love to use my dies and the cards are for a 90 year old and someone in their 70's and they tend to like that style.
 
I have been asked to demo a card next Thursday at the "Good Companions Club" so I will make up 10-12 kits so the ladies can join in.  I took some cards and gift bags down last week so they could choose what to make and this is the card they wanted to try to do.  I am pleased because it is relatively easy.
 
 
I will prepare a kit for each lady with all the die cutting and embossing pre-done and all they will have to do is assemble the card along with me.  I will take card, dies, embossing folders, eBosser, etc down just to demonstrate the card from start to finish.  If they enjoy the demo I will be asked to do a monthly visit trying different crafty bits, making boxes, gift bags, felt flower brooches and anything else I think up, but that's in the future I may not be asked back.
 
I have been browsing your posts but not commenting all the time but intend to remedy that starting tomorrow.  I am making some Me time an hour or so in the morning or at night.  I seem to have been at everyone's beck and call for weeks now so I am making time for myself.  Last Monday I my niece asked if I would take her and her boyfriend to the airport for a flight to Benidorm and guess what it was for 0630 flight and she wanted to leave at 0315.  My next door neighbour also asked if I could take her, her daughter and son to the airport on the same day and her flight to Benidorm was 0830, we left home at 0545 so it was a double trip.  It was only 20 minutes to Edinburgh Airport but at that time of the morning!!!!  Next time anyone asks I am doing something, well not for my niece she is special.
 
That is it for tonight, hope you are all well and crafting for Christmas or whatever. Oh by the way I wonder if anyone knows what happened to Heather's Happenings. she seems to have disappeared quite suddenly and I really enjoyed her blog.
 
Take care out there.
 
Wilma x x x

Friday 13 September 2013

Golden Wreath

Christmas has got me all excited, lots of bling, shiny paper, glitter and gems just what I need to make a card, that's what I like about making Christmassy things.  Welcome to you all to my crazy world, that's the mood I am in today, don't know what has got into me but I just want to dance and sing and act silly.  Calm down girl the neighbours will talk.

Now down to business.  I thought I would have a go at another wreath card and this is what I came up with, hope it appeals to some of you lovely bloggers.



 
To make this wreath I cut two Grand Decorative Circles One, in gold mirri and card with musical design and offset them so the gold mirri is just showing behind.  Then I cut the Die'sire Ivy die in large and small in gold mirri card and laid them round the circle. Next Spellbinders Poinsettia in cream with Antique Linen Distressed ink colouring the embossing (difficult to see on here) and a gold gem in the centre.  I placed some leaves and berries from the Poinsettia set and a Happy Christmas sentiment in the centre.  I dotted some gems round the outer edge of the circle to add a bit of bling and gold ribbon to hang it up.
 
Today I have finally got round to trying out the stamps I bought ages ago from Stamps from Chloe.  I have not ventured into stamping seriously yet just the odd sentiment and decoration but as to real stamping well wish me luck.  My first attempt was ehhhhh a bit useless, trying too hard.  The more I tried the better it felt so I am now on a mission to make a card.  Luckily I recorded Chloe's demo on Create and Craft so I have some inspiration to follow till I get my head around stamping.
 
There are always new things to try in card making and I love to spread my wings and try different ways of doing cards.  Not successful all the time as I have declined to show them on here and sometimes I just cannot get my head around the instructions (maybe an age issue or me being impatient) but  I do try or am very trying.
 
Thank you for your wonderful comments on my posts and I am so happy you take the time to view and comment.  Erika at http://snappycrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ has been giving us a sneaky peak at the projects she has planned for her classes this weekend at Papeterie in Aberdeen and as  I cannot attend I am so excited to see what she will reveal next week.  Stop being a tease Erika.
 
That's it for today as always take care out there and hope to see some comments soon.
 
Wilma x x x
 

Monday 9 September 2013

NOEL

Evening all, we had another fine day today after a miserable start but boy is it getting colder or am I getting older.  Will have to dig out the sweaters and cardigans soon.  The dogs love it when the weather is cool and more so when it has snowed.  They are lucky they have thick double coats to keep them warm.  This summer has been a no no for them too warm by half, all they have been doing is finding a cool place to lie down.

I am continuing on the Christmas theme today and tried to do a CAS card but did not quite get there still adding too much to my cards.  What do you think?

 
Ingredients
 
8 x 8 white card
Noel cut on Cricut Mini using Teresa Collins Christmas Cartridge
Spellbinders Poinsettia die
Des'ire Ivy die
Silver holographic card, red and green card from stash as is the gems
 
Not too much going on in this card and when I passed it by my mum she liked it and says "it's not too fussy like most of your cards" do I take this as a compliment or what?  I like it its clean and fresh looking but maybe the Ivy leaves would be better in gold. Oh what the heck it is done now.  I really like the Ivy die and you will see more in future cards.  I have a few more projects for it in mind.
 
Did not do much today other than the usual housework, ironing walking the dogs and trying to get some craft time in.  Did not succeed with the craft work but played around with a few ideas in my head and of course found time to browse your blogs.  I often wonder how I coped working full-time and shift-working and doing household chores because since I retired I just do not know where the time goes.  Better organised then I expect.
 
OK then fellow bloggers time to go,  I eagerly await your comments on this creation and noticed I have another follower.  Yippee!  You are all most welcome.
 
 
Take care out there.
 
Wilma x x x
 

Sunday 8 September 2013

This is not quite what I intended to make.

Hi you lovely bloggers, once again I must compliment you all taking the time to comment on my Christmas Wreath Card.  It's wonderful that you find the time to make me a happy bunny by firstly viewing my blogs and secondly by leaving such complimentary comments.

I was browsing the Creative Expression Workshop to get some inspiration for a card and found this to make a Spellbinder Radiant Rectangle Double Easel Frame Card.  Well needless to say I did not have the dies they used and wanted to put my own slant on things and this is what I created.


 The full instructions on Creative Expressions Card can be found here.

My variation used Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles and Poppy Patch cut in half and adhered to both sides.  Tattered Lace Sentiment Die was used for Happy Birthday to You.  I sort of like the way differing fonts make the card more interesting.  The usual gems and bling from stash.  The card used was Creative Expressions Foundation Teal and Antique Gold.

Yesterday Hubby and I went for a wander round the shops, had a nice relaxing lunch and then back home to be greeted by two lonely dogs.  Mum, who dog sat, says that they did not move from the time we left the house till they heard the car drive up.  So no problem there then.  Today was "Lazy Sunday" only energy used was to prepare dinner, nice stroll with the dogs and I took Great Nephew, William with us, and cook dinner.  Who would have believed William will be one year old next month, boy is he progressing.  I see him all the time as his mum and dad live four houses round from us and I take him for a walk when I can.

Now that I have had a browse round your posts its time for bed, I think.  I spend a heck of a lot of time visiting the blogs I follow and once there, there are always more interesting blogs to visit and links to look at in case there is something I need to see. 

So once again thank you for taking the time to visit, it much appreciated.

Take care out there.

Wilma x x x x
 

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Christmas Wreath

Hi Peeps, hope you are all feeling fine, big hugs to those not 100%.  We have had a few  beautiful days here and it has been great getting out in the sun to get some rays before it all goes downhill.  There you go doom and gloom again.  Hubby has a cold and is threatening to pass it on so I am avoiding him like the plague.

My card today took a bit of cutting out as I wanted a few layers for effect.  I am glad I had the Ebosser to do the manual labour but I often feel redundant waiting for the plates to go through.  There is not enough time to start something else before you have to remove the dies.  Luckily this card came out fairly easily and I was able to got on with the task.  Better show the end result then.



 
8 x 8 Gold Card it is pearlised in real life not showing up in photo
Mixture of shades of green card from stash
Cricut Mini Teresa Collins Christmas Cartridge for Merry Christmas sentiment and Bird on a Branch
Die'sire Ivy Die from Crafter's Companion
Tassel and Gems from stash
 
It took  while to organise the Ivy strands as there are two dies, one smaller than the other and I used different shades of green to make it more interesting.  I think I should have made the bird more like a Robin by colouring it a bit but I tend to think of these things after the event.  The corner sections are the smaller Ivy strand trimmed down.  I think it turned out OK, am now waiting on your verdict.  Be gentle, please.
 
OK that's it for tonight, three nights posting and the middle night you got 2 for 1 or BOGOF as I said, I am spoiling you, I have to go and lie down now exhausted.
 
Take care out there.
 
Wilma x x x
 
 

Tuesday 3 September 2013

A Feeling of Autumn

Thank you for your wonderful comments on my posts, it is so lovely to hear that so many of you enjoy seeing what I create.  If it was not for all the inspiration I get on Blogger and Tutorials I do not know if I could have progressed so much so quickly.  When I look back at my first batch of cards, which I still have, I see how much I have improved especially using dies embossing folders etc.  My journey into card making just gets better and better.

Yesterday I put two posts up in error, but you got a BOGOF, not often that happens with me I often struggle to get a card posted daily.

My card today is one that took a bit of time.  I bought the dandelion die and wanted to use it but when it come to pulling everything together my mind went blank.  I put this card with that and then another and another till I eventually pulled something together.

 
8 x 8 white card
Creative Expressions Black and Grey Foundation Card
Mustard/Yellow Card American Crafts Cardstock Tropical
Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Two
Spellbinders Vintage Lace Accents
Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters
Tattered Lace Dandelion Die
Sentiment from Kanban
Gems from stash
 
I commented on Heather's blog http://heatherscreationsandhappenings.blogspot.co.uk/ that I thought I had used Venetian Accents but on checking it was Vintage Lace Accents, sorry Heather.
 
My younger sister will love this card, NOT, it is yellow and black her most hated combination but I like it.
 
I finished housework and dinner preparation early today so was able to start crafting early.  Good job too as I had a project in mind to begin and it entailed a lot of die cutting with a new die.  I got there in the end so it will be shown tomorrow.  Can't spoil you two days in a row.  Seems I have my Mojo back and I am beginning to get into the swing once more.  I seemed to be in the doldrums for a while but I am in a happy place just now with lots of new goodies to play with.  Still have not got round to using Chloe's wreath stamp yet and a few other things I want to try but I will get there soon enough.  Must stop buying crafty goodies till I have played with my recent purchases.
 
Thank you for putting up with my ramblings and now I am off to browse your beautiful creations.
 
Take care out there.
 
Wilma x x x
 

Monday 2 September 2013

Second 60th Wedding Anniversary Card

Thank you one and all for continuing to comment on my posts.  It is wonderful to see that I can please many people with my creations, you have been the mainstay for me continuing to post as sometimes I look and wonder if my cards are up to the standards set by others.

Brrrrrr it is getting colder up here, had the heating on yesterday, my poor wee fingers were so cold I could not cut paper but the heating soon remedied that.  I have been trying to make a few cards other the past few days.  I bought some new dies from Tattered Lace, the dandelion and the shoe.  As is normal for me I cut a few using different paper and card just to see how they perform and no problems encountered.  Now all I need is inspiration to pull it all together and that is what I lack at the moment, inspiration.  It will come though once I settle down and think.

Here is the second card I made for my Brother in Law to give for a 60th Wedding Anniversary.



 
 
8 x 8 card
Lilac, White and glitter card from Stock
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One
Cricut Mini to cut out 60th
Tattered Lace Sentiment die to cut Happy Wedding Anniversary and Congratulations sentiments
Spellbinders Rose Creation Die
Feather,  Deep Lilac Rose, ribbon and gems from stock
Box from Stella Crafts (Lazy way I know but time was short)
 
 
Now that the personal cards are out of the way, ( Oh forgot to say I passed the card I gave to Lana and Scott before I photographed it but it is on the same lines as the Peach and Ivory 60th Wedding Anniversary card I made for my Brother in Law), I hopefully can get back on track.  Not too long for Christmas and I have had enquiries as to when my "special" Christmas cards will be ready.  Well you know what that means more boxed cards.  I want to do flat cards for a change but I have forgotten how to do them now.
 
I am off now to search out my box with Christmas embellishments, sentiments, glitter and bits and bobs.  I also bought Chloe's Wreath Stamp to try, not very good at stamping, but thought I could give it a go as it is a big stamp and I may get away with it if it is not quite right.  Who am I kidding, get it right girl.
 
Before I start I must get round to commenting on your wonderful post, been sadly lacking in that department and must return the compliment  as you have taken time to comment on my posts.
 
So take care you all.
 
Wilma x x x
 
 
 
 

100th Post

Who would have believed it, I have reached 100 post in my blogging extravaganza and it has been a wonderful journey for me.  Who would have thought I would have been able to produce all these cards this time a few years ago when I first began card making.  Being introduced to all the wonderful bloggers out there has been an experience and a half and meeting up with Patricia and Hazel was a joy.  Patricia's encouragement for me to post on here set me on my way, thank you Patricia although hubby does not feel the same way as I have spent a fortune on crafting goodies .

I attended Lana and Scott's wedding reception on Friday night and it was a great night had wonderful company with Laura and Katie (neighbours and friends), Shelly (Laura's friend) and of course hubby.  Lana was gorgeous as was Scott and the kids.  I got a photo of the Candy Cart which by the time we made it to the venue was nearly bare.  I contributed the letters for the names and the hearts for decoration.

Candy Cart

Katie and Shelly

Mad Laura

 
Lana and Scott The Happy Couple
 
 
Off now to catch up and comment on your wonderful posts, better late then never, been so busy again.
 
Thank you for putting up with my waffling with be more coherent soon and back to serious crafting.
Take care out there.
 
Wilma x x x

Sunday 1 September 2013

What Katie Did!

Who is a happy bunny then, 51 followers no less, I am overjoyed especially with all the marvellous comments that have been given on my last few posts.  I mentioned that Katie and I had a craft night and I finally tracked her down to take a photograph of her with her makes.  She is so proud of them and beams every time she speaks about them.

The gift bag is a regular post on Blogs and the card is a pinch from Craftylizscreations who in turn borrowed it from Helen,  but hey ho that is what crafting is all about.


Katie with her crafty makes

 
The papers were a free download from Jak Heath 
When I have a "can't think of any to make moment" I make roses, butterflies and foliage from bits of card in my bit box so this is what Katie used, the ribbon and pearls were from my stock.
 
The gift bag was some card that I had around and Katie loved it,  it is double sided so she was doubly impressed, I cut everything out for her and demonstrated how to construct the card and bag, gave her some double sided tape and Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue, some advice along the way and that was it, a happy young lady.
 
She now wants to make it a regular happening and one of her friends wants to join in,  I am only too happy to get youngsters interested in crafting so I may enjoy it too.  I will have to browse all the blogs to see what will be easy for them to try but after Katie's attempts it will not be long before I have to try more difficult cards.
 
I posted the two 60th Wedding Anniversary cards to my brother in law today and hopefully they will arrive safely.  Hubby says I went into overkill with the packaging but I did not want them squashed in transit.  I now eagerly await his reactions, whether he likes them or not.  Will post the second card tomorrow.
 
Thank you one and all for all the comments on my posts Every morning I am up with the lark eager to see how many comments I have, sometimes even before I have my coffee, now that is something as I cannot engage my brain till I have my caffeine fix.
 
Take care my lovelies.
 
Wilma x x x