Christmas

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. We had  a great time with our two young grandsons very first Christmas. Here I am with them enjoying a cuddle just before they both  left. I wish you all a very happy , healthy and peaceful New  Year. I will be posting more new cards etc. very soon.  Love & hugs Viv xx  

Charlie

Alexander

Last of my Xmas gifts

Good afternoon everyone, oooh I spy the sun in the sky today and it ISN'T raining either  woo hoo ! Just a few more Xmas bits I  made recently, hope you like them. I hope you are all ready for the  big day now. I have most things done now except the food prep which  I will do tomorrow, so pleased when that  is all done and I can relax. 1st pic is of one of the bags I made to put some handmade truffles in, so easy to make, no cutting just folding. I used a Spiltcoast tutorial for  them. 2nd pic is of more bags, I used Pink petticoat snowflake paper & a Spellbinders Fancy tags two label and stamped a sentiment.3rd pic are some truffles I bought. I made some myself ( and they are delicious) Grand Marnier ones and Rum ones, but they do have to be kept in the fridge or freezer. I will give them to my guests when they leave or let them try them just out of the fridge/freezer while they are here. I will put these ones  here in the little bags.Forgot to add a white ribbon before I took  the pic! 4th pic is side view of the bags with truffles in place.5th pic is my soaps I made all wrapped up, I added a white flannel, nailbrush & shower ball foldy thing ( sorry can't describe it any better ).They  have a large white ribbon around them but of course I didn't  take the pic showing that doh! 6th pic are some scrummy choc  chip, pistachio & cranberry cookies I made as gifts too.I put some  sea salt on top of them and they are to die for. I had to adapt  the recipe I found as I added other stuff to them. I will wrap them tomorrow in  cellophane and tie ribbon around too.Last pic are two beautiful little stools my OH handcrafted for our two young grandsons when they are a bit older.He made the legs part first, then added the string stuff weaving on top. The weaving took ages as he had to drag the string through each time ( long string) & it tangles almost every time. I think the babies will love their little stools.  I wish you all a very Happy Christmas whatever you have planned !    

Truffle bag....made from one A4 piece of card,sorry the pic is dark, light hasn't been great here.

Made to gift some truffles in, PP paper in green, pink and blue, tags are all in silver using same pattern.

Truffles

Side view, they just fit snugly.

 

My  three soap gifts and other extra's to go with them

Choc chip, pistachio & cranberry cookies( they really taste divine, see sea salt on top!). Wrapping them later.

Little stools made by my clever & very patient OH  for our two young grandsons.

Tequila card

Good morning everyone, another grey, rainy, dismal day again here. The least said about the weather the better I fear ! Anyway here is my card for the 'Less is More'  challenge again. It's week 99-100 & a recipe this time which is............ Drinks "You can choose tea, coffee, water, sodas, alcohol of course if  you wish, in fact any drink at all" So I chose alcohol , it being very near Christmas and New Year when we tend to consume most. Details of my card below...and  no it isn't me!Oooh and it's a one layer card too.....not so  scared of those now it seems. I used a flower &  stem mask for the distress inking too.Sorry ............yes  I know it's yet another PINK card. ps. I wish  Chrissie, Mandi , Jen & all the other  fabulously  talented LIMettes a very Happy Christmas too ! hugs Viv xx

 Card Recipe Card Linen white ( as always) Image   Bugaboo digi  'Ruby Tidbits-Tequila' Promarkers Glamour dust Quickie glue pen Sentiment ( came with the digi ...but I added the hic!) Flower and stem masks ( not sure which just had them handy) Th Distress ink Spun sugar Challenges 'Less is More' #99-100 Recipe 'Drinks'

Sleepy snowy card

Good afternoon everyone, I hope everyone is well and virus free. I have a cold boo hoo, but it is going away now..... I hope! Just been doing my Christmas food shopping , it's crazy in the  shops of course. I pity the poor people who have to work in  this mad rush, esp. the supermarkets.... thinking of you Jackie :( Anyway today is quite a sad one for me as this is my very last  DT  card  to show you made for the lovely and talented Beccy over  at 'Beccys' Place'.I am stepping down from her team as I will be taking on more babysitting duties  for  my grandson two days  a week at least from next year and won't have the time for making  as many cards then. I have really enjoyed making my DT cards and getting to know Beccy too. Thanks so much for letting me  be part of your team :) ......Right onto my card, it was made  using  the digi image 'Sleepy snowy', isn't he soooo cute! I made a different fold card for a change and masked the 'snow', then used Distress ink for the sky.A few hand drawn birds , a little  daisy/sun? type die added to peek out behind snowy, a sentiment  added and job done. I did the inside of the card to match the  front too btw..........Hope you like my last card for Beccy. ps. Been making and freezing baby food today for Christmas, for my two grandson's. Also made some chocolate truffles too and little bags to gift them in, pics soon.All 'Christmassed' up  now, tree up,lights up outside, decorations up, pressies wrapped :)

So hard to get a decent photo of this card

 You can see the sentiment more here

Card Recipe Image   'Beccy's Place' digi 'Sleepy snowy' Card   Linen white papermill shop Embossing folder  Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes dots' Circle nesties Ink   TH Distress ink Broken China Glamour dust Quickie glue pen TH White string 'Idea- ology' Computerized sentiment Promarkers & Copics Permanent pen black ( for birds) Die ( like half a daisy/sun, sorry can't find it now) 3d pads

Snowy snowflake card & more Xmas 'bits'

Hi everyone, here is another DT card made for 'Beccy's Place' again. The digi  image is called 'Snowy snowflake' isn't he so cute with his hanging snowflakes on his hat. Sadly there will be just one  more DT card made for 'Beccy's Place' as I am stepping down from her team. It was such a difficult decision as I just adore her  gorgeous digi's. As I will be babysitting my young grandson  Alexander for two days a week next year when mum goes back  to work , I fear I will have much less time to make cards.Here is a pic of more soap I made yesterday and some raspberry jam  too . I made 9 jars of jam, smelled fabulous too, will add  ribbon etc. later. ps.My  poor grandson Charlie has the winter vomiting virus yet again and ended up in A&E yesterday as he couldn't keep  even water down. He is better today thank heavens, always such a worry for young babies though.

 

Smells soooo fabulous !

 

Made 9 of these....must make some scones now too!

  Card Recipe Card   Linen  white Papermill shop Black card from stash Image   'Beccy's Place' digi 'Snowy snowflake' Embossing folder Cuttlebug 'snow?' Glamour dust ( on snowflakes on hat and below snowman)

Christmas bits

First I am thinking of that terrible shooting in the USA , my  thoughts and prayers go out to all the people affected by it. Lots of hugs to anyone who needs them too. Hi bloggers, just a few Christmas 'bits' I have made recently  to show you today.First some candy name places I made for our Xmas table, made quite a lot as there will be 7 or 8 of us here  on  Xmas day and 9 of us on Boxing day...oh my! but here are just a  few to show you.Here are some of the Rendeer's noses I made for  the table. I usually wrap little table pressies but I think these may  do instead this year.Also some pretty soaps I made as pressies,  ( we just give each other handmade things now except for the  babies of course).The soaps here are Lavender & almond oil, also Honey,oatmeal & shea butter.I have made some Cucumber and almond oil soap today and will make some Lime and  lemongrass soon.I am also making some Lime, mandarin and basil  soap and matching bath wash too, ( thinking of that lovely Jo  Malone stuff with the last one).I may make lip balm and candles at a later date also.I will pretty the soaps up using some cellophane  wrap and ribbon and tags later of course and may include a nice  white flannel too. Raspberry jam to make this afternoon also, with  our homegrown raspberries from the freezer, for more 'gifts'.The  homemade lager and homemade elderberry wine is coming on a  treat too thanks to my OH.  Lots of labels for 'stuff' I must do as  well yet. Soooo much to do yet arghhhh. At least I am feeling better  today after my fall, thankyou to everyone who asked about me. Right of to finish making lunch then onto the jam making me thinks. More pics of Xmas stuff as I do them maybe.  Have a good Sunday everyone whatever you are doing :)

A day to celebrate card

Hi everyone, it's a bit warmer here today thank heavens. I am still not feeling great since my fall on ice the other day.  Didn't sleep much and my legs feel so sore, at least my knees  are ok though, they took the full impact .Anyway onto my card, I decided although I felt zombie like a card making session would  take my mind off the pain...and it did :) This week over at  'Less is More' it's week 98 and the theme is........ Anniversary  I stamped my image and also stamped two more images then  used my nesties to cut some hearts. I also cut a tiny silver heart for more colour.I embossed the main stamped image in a silvery  sparkly colour ( can't see the sparkles much) & added a gem. A computerized sentiment , a bit of glamour dust ( can't leave  that out ) and job done.Enjoy your weekend everyone whatever you have planned. We hope to get the Christmas tree up very soon and start pressie wrapping etc., not even thinking about the food yet! ps. Happy Anniversary to Chrissie too , just two more years  and you will catch up with us :)

Card Recipe Stamp   My Paper World  'Borders & Motives' Card Linen white papermill shop Ink Brilliance 'Starlight Silver' Embossing powder  Heat it up 'Snowflake' Clear gem from stash Promarker ( grey for edge of sentiment) Computerized sentiment Glamour dust 3d pads Challenges 'Less is More' # 98

.

Snowy pair card

Today I have another DT card made for 'Beccy's Place' to show you. It's made with Beccy's digi image 'Snowy pair' , such a cute snow couple aren't they.Keep warm everyone it's freeeeezing again here, warmer tomorrow though we hope. ps. I was just about to post an Xmas card to a neighbour when I slipped on our icy path/slope and fell  heavily onto my knees.  Not nice :( esp. when my feet and ankles are already quite  sore with the dratted Rh.A grrrr!  

Card Recipe Image  'Beccy's Place' digi 'Snowy pair' Card  Linen white Papermill shop Nesty  Lacey squares Embossing folder Cuttlebug Swiss dots Promarkers Glamour dust Chalks Dovecraft ( around image) Sentiment computerized 3d pads Challenges 'Christmas at Sweet Stampin' 'Anything goes' 'The paper Shelter' Two of anything' 'Ruby's Rainbow' 'Christmas with none trad colours'

Christmas scene card

Hi everyone, I hope you are all ready for Christmas soon. I think I have done most things now, cards posted, pressies bought, 'things' made etc. I have yet more soap to make and also some jam, but apart from wrapping things I am  almost ready.Phew.... so much to prepare isn't there,  daren't even think about the food yet ! Anyway today I have another Xmas card to show you, I made  three  of these as I liked them so much. Just a little scene,I faded the image then added another layer of the same  image but in full colour this time. I used a pretty nesty to highlight the full colour part. Quite like this idea, I may do more cards like this next year. ps. Keep warm everyone, it's soooo cold here  today -2C brrrrrrrrrr!

Card Recipe Card Linen white Scene (GCF one) Nesty   Decorative labels 8 Sentiment   Computer generated Glamour dust ( on birds, fence top & names ) 3d pads

Trail of butterflies card

Just a quick card to show you today, another one for the 'Less is More' challenge again. It's 'one layer card' week and the theme is....... In a Row Just had this idea spring into my head, very simple, just a bit of distress inking and masking with an added stamped sentiment.Hope you approve. ps. I  very big welcome to my latest follower, welcome aboard.

 Card Recipe Card   Linen white Papermill shop Butterfly die  Memory Box Butterfly delights (tiny ones)  Large butterfly die ( sorry can't find it now, just  found a punched one in  some spare card) Sentiment   Clear magic stamps Jane's script Ink   Momento Tuxedo black TH Distress inks, Salty Ocean,Mustard Seed,  Dried Marigold, Worn Lipstick Challenges  'Less is More' #97 'In a Row'

Winter trees card

Hi everyone, I hope you are all warm and toasty wherever you are. It's week 97 over at 'Less is More' and one layer card week too. This time the theme is....... IN A ROW   "This challenge is just as the title implies...a one layer card with

 something or other in a row... take your pick, it could be

 anything, just use your imagination!"

Hmmm a one layer card, not as terrifying as it once was I must

 admit. I decided to use this pretty digi from 'Beccy's Place', an

older one but a lovely one I think.I printed the trees twice along the 

card, then added a computerized sentiment and drew a few birds

in the sky.A bit of distress inking, a few grey shadows under the

 trees ( doesn't show up too well alas) and job done.

ps. I struggled not to add my usual glamour dust, don't think

 it needed it though.

Card Recipe

Image   'Beccy's Place' digi

Card   Linen card white Papermill shop

Distress ink   TH Salty Ocean

Promarkers ( grey under trees)

Computerized sentiment

Permanent pen black ( for birds)
Challenges
'Less is More' #97 In a Row

Christmas Tree cottage

Good afternoon everyone, more heavy rain here again I am  sad to report grrrrrrrr.We had our first glimpse of snow today too, although very briefly.Right onto my card, it's another DT card  made for 'Beccy's Place' again using Beccy's digi image 'Christmas Tree cottage'. Another adorable little Christmas house, I chose to make a tall slim card for a change. Just a simple printed image with a border and a computerized sentiment also bordered in a matching  colour.I used the coloured image this time but as aways there is also  a black and white one for you to colour however you like. I glittered  the tree and used my sparkly gel pens to highlight  the baubles also.   A very big welcome to yet another follower, welcome aboard. ps.I am sure you all heard the good news about the Duchess of Camb being pregnant.I have to say I wasn't surprised as I predicted exactly that on Nov 14th  on a craft forum I belong too....spooky or what.  I also thought she was only about 4- 6 weeks  pregnant ( which seems likely  now)....I also said I thought it was a girl....hmmm only time will tell.  

 Card Recipe Image   'Beccy's Place' digi  Card   Linen white Papermill shop Computer generated sentiment and  borders Glamour dust ( on tree) Sakura metallic gellyroll pens ( on baubles)

 

Happy Cuts A4 Cutting & Embossing Machine

Hi everyone, today I thought I would show you my new 'Happy Cuts' machine by Artemio. Not much info about it  on the web, so I will try and give you as much info here as I  can. Not used it much as yet as it's an Xmas pressie really,  but I had a few 'experiments' with it just for you :) I must  first  say I am very pleased with it , it cuts and embosses beautifully.  There are so many plates to use it's easy to get the right  sandwich for whatever you wish to cut or emboss.I bought my  machine from Samuel Taylors btw.,( no connection), arrived  quickly & good service . I also bought the clear SP plate  there too.I believe you can also buy two clear plates now so  you can see what you are cutting or embossing but I manage  ok with just the embossing SP clear plate.The Happy Cuts machine  is made in the same factory as the older Joy Trouvaille machine.  They are virtually the same machine, except the Happy Cuts  has metal gears and not plastic (I decided it may be  a lot  sturdier  too). Mine is white and the JT is a cream/off white colour too. Weight wise it's (7.5 kg) it feels just about the same  weight as my old Cuttlebug machine.I like the fact that it folds  flat on top so you can store all your plates on top too.The sides  fold up and the top handle lies flat, there is a little top compartment  for keeping small dies in also. It will cut Spellbinders dies, Memory  Box,Marianne,Magnolia ,Cuttlebug ,Nellies,Cheery Lynn, Quickutz,Jeart,Joycraft  Cart Us,X Cut,Papermania,some Sizzix dies ( thicker dies need the blue plate or SP  plate and not the Grey plate.)You CAN'T use the Sizzix thick dies,  or the Big shot dies( big black ones),or the BigZ dies, or Marriane  Designs cut & emboss folders.It will take the Cuttlebug thick  metal/foam alphabet and other similar dies though. These are the plate 'sandwiches' I use.   To cut (plates from bottom upwards) White A plate Die Card Grey C plate ( does Spellbinders) To Emboss (plates from bottom upwards) White A plate Black rubber mat Die in card ( facing up) Black B plate ( does Spellbinders) To cut & then emboss White A plate Die  Card Grey C plate ( then remove C plate and add Black B plate) To emboss with a folder(plates from bottom upwards)  ( Cuttlebug type, others may vary) Black B plate Card in folder SP clear plate To die cut other dies ( Cuttlebug alphabet etc) White A plate Die Card SP plate Sizzix (old black backed dies) Black plate SP clear plate To use the new M-boss folders( double sided) (Takes 350gsm card) Black B plate Card in folder SP clear plate or use White A plate Card in folder One or Two cuttlebug B plates (side by side if needed) It cuts paper, card,glitter card fabric,vellum,foil,grungboard,parchment,  acetate and ( felt up to 2mm). Hope that list helps some of you, I found the info on various sites, thankyou to the blog owners ( sorry can't remember who now). Some of the info is what I have found to be right by using the machine myself. I will add more info here as I find it also.The main thing is not to force the plates through the machine, if it won't go through use a thinner plate. Also the handle can spin backwards if the 'sandwich' is too tight, so be  aware of that too ( Ouch....just did that).   Update.......to use the newer A4 embossing folders( Crafts Too  and Grand M-Bossabilities etc.) from bottom up
White A plate Card in folder 2 old Cuttlebug B plates side by side

These all come with the machine, top one is a rubber mat.

This is an extra to buy !