Cupcake heaven

For quite a while now I have been wanting trying to perfect the decoration of my cupcakes!! So you can imagine my delight when I discovered a lady less than 10 minutes walk away from my house who runs classes :D

Why not take a look - http://www.pimpmycake.org/ 

I can definately recommend taking a class or two- I hope to do some more in the New Year, quite liking the idea of the shoe class. 

I had a wonderful day, learning far more than I anticipated, my main aim was to learn how to pipe the butter cream on top. I made all the embellishments - are they still called that on cakes? from white fondant icing. 

I can feel another addiction coming on!!

I need to start collecting so much stuff to make them, just as well its my birthday soon!! 

That's it from me today, off for a brisk walk round the block - gotta wear off some of the calories consumed over the last few days!!

Welcome Lewis

I was asked yesterday to make a new baby boy card.

Its been a couple of weeks since I've made any cards as I've been busy beading, cupcake decorating, knitting and work!

I forgot how much I love it in my craft room, its so snug. I can only make cards, out there as there isn't enough room for any other craft stash so that has to be carried out in other rooms!!

I didn't getting so much use out of this stamp when I bought it. 

I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday for inspiration, Nana's Nursery Baby Boy papers from DCWV, Vintage baby stamp from Funky Kits and assorted punches and peel off letters and numbers.

Beading between birthdays.....

It was my daughter's 21st birthday yesterday and my youngest son's 16th birthday tomorrow so I took advantage of the peace and quiet today to  recharge my batteries with a spot of beading.

I didn't make this bracelet today, it was one I managed to make last week, one of my friends at work ordered it, although I was so pleased with it, I was a bit reluctant to hand it over!!

I made this one today, another order from work, love the colour, its so fresh and reminds me of summer - despite the rain lashing down outside!

I am having a table at a 'Ladies Night' at a local gym soon so thought it was about time I made some items to sell. Love the heart on this bookmark, would have been really quick to make but I had a spot of bother with the jump rings!

A set of wine glass charms, the beads don't show up too well, they have turquoise and pink with a flash of silver running through them.

I had better clear the dining room table of beads now, as its going to be another busy day tomorrow. Hope to squeeze in some more crafting on Friday!

Cot quilt for Elliott

 I've not managed to post much over the last week, as I've been busy finishing off a quilt I made for a niece who has recently had a baby.

The dark blue fabric was so cute I didn't want to cut it up and its such a shame as the design I was using doesn't show it off properly.

I've taken some close ups of the different characters.

Here's the finished quilt, I was really pleased with it, although I now remember why I prefer working with the thinner wadding.

It's such a shame I won't get to see little Elliott wrapped up in it as he's up in Scotland - unless I can wangle a visit......

A bit of bling - a card and a bracelet

First photo today is a card I was recently asked to make a card for a lady who will be 89 soon.

 I've put the 89 on a circle to match the central greeting, along with 'Mum' on another circle for the person who ordered the card to position. 

I randomly stamped the images from a Hobby Art set, Floral Sketches, using Stampin' Up! inks. I covered the stamping with double sided sticky and sprinkled generously with glamour dust. This is a style I saw Jenny Mayes demonstrate at Newbury last year and is always well received.

The second photo is a bracelet I was asked to make when I took some of my beading in to work recently.

That's one of them, another 2 to make yet, one in turquoise and one in purple. I had forgotten how fiddly these are to make!

Off to make a start on one of the other ones now.

 x

Happy Birthday Gary

Another birthday card today, 

I used the sketch from Sketch & Stamp and this cute image from LOTV, papers are from a paper stack I've had a while, think they are Hot Off The Press.

I wouldn't normally put red, blue, orange and green together but as they were in one of the backing papers thought I would give it a go.

Did the usual trick with the glossy accents, stuck my finger in before it was properly dry - don't look too close!

That's it for me today.

 x

Beads beads beads....

I had a few presents to make lately so I've got beads all over my dining table, and at times the breakfast bar!!

Here's a couple of the things I have made. I really like these beaded lariat style necklaces, reckon I need to make a few more in different colours, especially as I am having a table at a Ladies night soon.

Some wine glass charms, a lovely idea I saw recently so thought I would have a go. Great for people who put their drink down and don't remember where!

The little silver beads are stardust beads and have a lovely sparkly effect to them that doesn't show very well in the photo.

I'm off to make a charm bracelet now, going to sit at the table by the french doors where the sun is streaming in - got to make the most of this lovely weather while it lasts.

Enjoy your day.

Fab and Fifty

Here's a card for one of my friends who is celebrating her 50th birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE

I have used this LOTV image as we like to get together for coffee or even lunch from time to time! I used the sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stamp and am going to enter in into the LOTV challenge which is 'Warm & Cosy' as I think they look quite cosy! I am hoping the postman arrives soon as I've ordered some handbag charms and wanted to put one of those on their as she is quite partial to handbags!

Am off to sit in the sun now - indoors - its not that warm, and bead a christmas bauble or two to take to Gallery 77 where I am running a workshop next month.

Have a great weekend.

A new generation and a challenge card

We had some wonderful news this weekend, my husband's niece and her partner had a baby boy, he arrived on Friday evening weighing in at a healthy 7lb 10.5oz. Welcome to the world Elliott, wish you lived nearer so we could have lots of cuddles, will have to try and get up to Scotland sometime soon.....

Its been a while since I made any challenge cards but thought I would use this opportunity to take part in the Secret Crafter Saturday challenge which is

'Anything goes as long as it sparkles'

Here's a close up, is that sparkly enough? I used quite a think gloopy glue and when it was partly dry, I smudged it around to give it some more texture and make it more cloud like.

xx

Green beads....

Here's a bracelet I made during my blogging break 

The beads have been collected over the past couple of months - I just kept buying green beads so I've got enough to make another bracelet almost!

The beads are on wrapped loops, so a bit fiddly, especially when you're wrapping the last couple of beads as the bracelet is getting a bit heavy by that stage. Well worth the effort though, I took in into work and have got orders for 3 more. 

I love the movement in the bracelet, I will probably make another one in a different colour for me, with crystals or crackle beads.

 xx

Sock it to me!

 Okay so not a very good start to my return to blogging - I've got so out of the habit of posting!

I bought a book about knitting socks after having browsing the craft books in Hobbycraft one miserable weekend last year. However I didn't find it very easy to follow the patterns so the yarn sat in my knitting bag until I was given a pattern by a friend (who funnily enough teased me mercilessly when I originally told her I was going to knit socks - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!) This pattern is so easy to follow so have filled my knitting bag with sock yarn - watch this space!

Time to catch up - Beaded Baubles

I've neglected my blog of late, although I have still been crafting and taking photos, I just haven't got round to posting them on my blog. I hope to update it with items I've made over the last few months over the coming days....

Let's start with a bit of beading - Christmas baubles

and I enjoyed making it so much I made one on a different colour way

The bauble is 4cm diameter but it used up a lot more beads than I imagined it would. I've stocked up on baubles to make lots more in different colours :)

Not so sure I like this new fangled blogger - suppose it will just take a bit of getting used to!

 

A card for a friend

What a miserable day its been here in Gosport, windy and rainy, what an excuse to while away some time in my craft room!



This card is for one of my Mum's friends who has a birthday soon. I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday and the theme of Anything Goes from the Lili of the Valley challenge this week. Love this LOTV image and thought it was quite appropriate as they go out to lunch from time to time.
Image coloured with copics, papers from a DCWV glitter stack, ribbon from stash, card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Short and sweet from me today, just got to check out my ebay listings as I had a massive clear out last week (craft stuff too!) while we were on half term holidays and a lot of the listings end today - more money for more crafty stash - like I need it!!

Catch up soon

Beaded bookmarks

Here are a couple of beaded bookmarks I made recently.

Not the best of photos but wanted to show you what it looks like when not partly hidden in a book. The gold wavy section is approx 8cm long.



This is how is looks when being used. I really like this style bookmark as I often lose my bookmark when reading in bed, at least with these you can stick them in the back of the book and be able to find it when you need it!



Another one - this one is slightly larger, the silver wavy piece is approx 14cm long.



In action again, these would look quite decorative if you had a line of books all with bookmarks in them!



I'm off to order more of the metal pieces, as I really enjoyed making them and think they would make lovely presents. I may even try selling some on Ebay or Etsy.

My new necklace holder...

What a beautiful day it is today.... I have something to show today that Barry made me recently. He was mooching around the house so I decided to set him a challenge :) I was tired of long necklaces on all of the wardrobe door handles, getting them caught when shutting the doors and having to untangle them! I knew what I wanted but just hadn't seen it in the shops.....

It looks like a bit of a torture contraption without any necklaces on but we had to add extra hooks on the edge so I don't have to have too many necklaces on each hook.



And here it is loaded up with my jewels!! Looks much better I'm sure you will agree?



The only trouble is now I think we will have to reinforce the wall where I plan to hang it! I didn't realise how heavy all those necklaces are....

Having a lovely crafty day today, been up since 7.30 playing in my craft room, decided a tidy up and using up some stash was the order of the day, its so peaceful, Barry at work and the boys off out with their mates - this is the life!!

Hope you're having a lovely day whatever you're up to, be back later with some of my cards.

British Racing Green Mini Boy Oh Boy

I thought it was about time I made a card with one of the new LOTV stamps that have been uninked on my desk for nearly 3 weeks now!!



I love this image of teddy driving a mini, my first car, and I just had to colour it British Racing Green to go with the papers which are from a K & Co pad, Hopscotch. I thought it would make a great card for someone who has just passed their driving test. I've already started to colour another one to do a girlie card.
Coloured - copics
Sentiment - Hobby Art clear stamps
Punches - Stampin' Up!
Embellies - stash.

I am going to enter this into the Charisma Cardz challenge this week which is 'Boy Oh Boy' and I'd better get a wiggle on as the challenge closes at 7.30!!

First Holy Communion cards and LOTV Fairies challenge

I was recently asked to make 3 First Holy Communion cards, I was a bit concerned at first until I was told they could be cute ones....



A card for Sophie, using a Manga Girl 2 image from Funky Kits.



The cards for Cait and Lucy were made using the Dandelion Clock image from Lili of the Valley, and I have just discovered the LOTV challenge this week is 'Fairies' so I am going to enter these cards.



The patterned papers for all three cards were from various First Edition paper stacks, papers for matting were from core'dinations color core cardstock stacks and glitter card from stash. All images coloured with copic markers. The names were cut using George & Basic Shapes cartridge. All other embellishments from stash!