I made this for Steve's nephew who wanted a personal and handmade card for his Girlfriend, Nicola. Apparently she likes princesses so I made this lovely little Whipper Snapper card for her with some lovely Christmas papers that my Bezzie Mate Sarn gave me last year.

Birthday Bella

Here's another Bella offering in the form of a Birthday card this time.

She's not topped my number 1 spot, never been defeated, Penny Black stamps, they're my all-time favourites, but she comes a very close second. She's growing on me more and more.

Stamp is by Stamping Bella
Cardstock, ribbon and papers from local Craft Shop
Adhesive Flower by PaperMania

Stamping Bella

Allow me to introduce 'Bella'. I love these stamps, they're fab and there are SOOOOO many of them to choose from. She comes in so many different poses and scenes, a girl for all seasons.

I just had to make this one for a friend of mine who doesn't really celebrate Christmas as such, so I opted for an untraditional orange and blue instead of the usual red and green, but Bella is still bearing gifts.

Stamp is from Stamping Up
Ribbon and card stock is from local craft store

Good wishes for Caz

As you may or may not be aware, Caz's dad is in a bad way in hospital at the moment, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Caz. Hope he is on the road to recovery and good health soon. Thinking of you and your family lots.
Love and best wishes, Fae

Happy Anniversary

Today is mum and dad's wedding anniversary. Here's the card I made for them using one of Caz's templates that I learnt at the Glitter Pot. Mum loved it and I have to say, this little PB hedgehog is still one of my all time favourites...

The fabric label is from Me and My Big Ideas, 'Threads', they're fab and look really good on cards (and clothing, Lianne liked one of the labels so much she got me to sew it to the pocket of her jeans)!

Have just been looking over my latest blog entries and have come to the conclusion that although I thought ribbons were my main passion, I reckon, buttons come a close second if not a joint first place... they're everywhere!!! Why didn't you tell me Sarn, am I using them TOO much?

Christmas Shopping...

Well. I've started my Christmas shopping. NO! Don't get too excited, I've brought some tags and some wrapping paper, that's about as fae as I go for the moment. Shopping in Watford at the moment is a NIGHTMARE!!! It's been chaotic. Saturday 1st December, all roads leading to the town...GRID LOCKED!!!! Honking horns, people walking around with faces like they'd been slapped with a wet fish, and cars and people everywhere. Children being dragged around screaming "I WANT I WANT IWANT" where's the christmas 'spirit' gone? Where's the magic??? I want the magic back! I want christmas to start the week before Christmas, not in October when the Harlequin Centre and London shops feel it neccesary to cover everything in fairy lights and glitter. I want the magic or writing letters to santa, not typing them on a computer. I want my kids to sit down and really, I MEAN REALLY think about what they want. I want to bake cookies and mince pies with the children and put them out on christmas eve whether they're perfect or not, with the carrots for the reindeer. I will say one thing though, that I found in the town last week that was perfect... in a card shop I found a christmas card with a 'magic key' on the front and it simply said, 'because we have no chimney, leave this out for Santa by the back door. I live in a bungalow, with no chimney so I had to buy it. If Santa landed his sleigh on our roof I think he'd definitely come through the roof!!! ha ha ha. BRING BACK THE MAGIC!!!!

I've been tagged...

1 - If you could have £100.00 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose? I would choose paper because I love 12x12 papers, and then I'd add some ribbons, some buttons and some coloured sticky gems!!

2 -If you had to choose between using only stamps or ribbons, which would you choose? I'd definitely choose stamps, although I love ribbons, I can't live without my stamps!!!

3 - If you knew how to do both awesome cards and layouts but could only do one for a whole year…which would you do? I like making scrapbooks because they are personal and perfect for journalling everything the children have done since they could walk so that I can get my own back when they're older but I love seeing people open the cards I make for them too, so I guess it would have to be being able to make fab cards!!!

4 - Would you rather own a scrap booking store or have your own scrapping room at home? I'd be happy with just a room of my own (I'm not greedy... I'd be happy with an attic or a cupboard under the stairs) I am currently working in the KITCHEN which drives my poor insane husband nuts as he can't stand the mess!!

5 - What is your CURRENT card making or scrapping style? STAMP it...FOLD it...STICK it...SEND it. Is there any other way??? Answers on a postcard please...

Here are the rules
Answer the questions on your blog and tag 5 more people to answer the same questions Make sure you list on your blog who you are tagging. I am tagging: Sarn at Chocolate is not just for Breakfast as she's already tagged Caz and I don't know any other bloggers as I've only been around a short time! Bless... boo hoo!

Well... I've been tagged!

Thanks go to my bezzie mate Sarn for tagging me! Although I'm not really quite sure what I have to do...just answer a few simple questions I guess. Well here goes!


1 - If you could have £100 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose?
As with Sarn, it would have to be assorted embellishments, although I love scrapbooking, I love card making more and get so much more out of seeing my friends and families faces when they see what I have personally created for them. Scrapbooking is more of a personal thing in my opinion. I would have some ribbons, buttons, fabric flowers and assorted coloured gems.


2 -If you had to choose between using only stamps or ribbons, which would you choose?

STAMPS...definitely stamps. Penny Black, Whipper Snapper and lots of 'em.



3 - If you knew how to do both awesome cards and layouts but could only do one for a whole year…which would you do?

No competition. . . cards (always cards)!


4 - Would you rather own a scrap booking store or have your own scrapping room at home?

I would love to have my own shop, full to the brim of lovely crafting things. All those lovely papers and ribbons and embellishments....mmmmmmmm [drool!]


5 - What is your CURRENT card making or scrapping style?

STAMP it! FOLD it! STICK it! SEND it!



Ok, here are the rules…………
Answer the questions on your blog and tag 5 more people to answer the same questions. Make sure you list on your blog who you are tagging. I ain't go no friends... so I am tagging: Sarn as she's already TAGGED Caz!!!

By the way...

Just in case anyone was interested... Abi-Normal is fine and back to her usual bubbly self. She had the operation for her Pimetra and she's back on her feet and doing very well. No secondary infections. She's so lovely and we're so grateful that she pulled through. She's the sort of dog that wouldn't harm a hair on anyone's head. She adores everyone.

Well... that's that!

We have completed all the forms for Lianne's top three secondary school's and got them sent off by the deadline. Bless her, the Saturday before last, she had to endure a 3 hours sports, physical test (as one of her choices of school specialises in Sport) and then the Saturday just gone this weekend, she had to complete a 3 hour academic test with Verbal Reasoning (don't ask) and Maths.

I'm really glad that it's all over now, but now we have the waiting game until March when she will (hopefully) be given a place at ONE of her chosen schools. If, IF, she is UNLUCKY and doesn't get any of her chosen three, we then have to go to an appeal process and wait on 'Continued Interest' lists. HELP!!! Please, Please, Please let her get one of her choices, else I know she'll just be heartbroken. More to the point, I think I MIGHT BE TOO! I cried like a baby when I dropped her off at Queens' School to do her academic test. Where has the time gone? It was only yesterday that she was my little fairy, running around the garden in her fairy wings singing like she hadn't a care in the world!!! Boo Hoo!

Caz's Blog

Just been looking at Sarn and Caz's blog... there's some fab cards so if you haven't had a look yet and there's anyone out there who's interested, click on my links to their Blog's and see for yourself, they're fab!

Belly Dancing...

Just been Belly Dancing and my hips and waist are KILLING me!!! Who'd've thought such an old fashioned dance technique could be such a killer! Still I feel as though I've had the workout from hell so it must be all good. And even better for me if it helps me to shed a few inches off my waist and hips (and hopefully thighs) before I pile it all back on at Christmas xxx

28 days to Christmas...

...and I still haven't finished making all of my Christmas Cards.... HELP!!! Although I have just posted my bezzie mate Sarn's card so hopefully she'll get it in the post tomorrow (and hopefully I will have been the first to send her one!) We'll see...

Busy day at work today and when I collected the children from school there was a nasty accident in town so the usual 20 minute journey took us an hour and a half in traffic so haven't been able to make a single card this afternoon (more's the pity!) so I'll have to get cracking this evening. Watch this space!

I'm Back...

HOW CUTE IS THIS...
I cut up an old 2006 calender (no I don't throw anything away, I'm a hoarder!!!) and couldn't resist getting rid of this picture. I added it to some brown card to compliment the background and added some sheer brown organza ribbon... et voila! I think it's lovely and I'm not sure I want to give it to anyone now, so I might just frame it and stick it on the wall in Lewis' room or something as he loves it.

and a few more...

Well...I did say I was feeling much better now. I'm on a roll. YIPPPPPPPEEEEEE!!!!!

And here's a few more...

Poor me...

Hi Guys, I'm back! I have been really poorly this past week and a half. I've had a chest infection and a stinking cough, that feels like sandpaper being rubbed up and down the inside of my throat everytime I cough (which is often). Anyway, I haven't been making many cards while I've been laid up, been watching too many DVD's and daytime telly and eating too much chicken soup and chocolate (although not at the same time...ugh!)

Anyway, here's a few sampkles of what I've been up to this weekend... Hope you like???

24 hour recovery...

Well just thought I would let you all know that Abi seems to be recovering well. She's back at my parents' home and although quiet and resting, she seems to be on the road to recovery and was well happy to see us when we visited her with her card. Bless!

Abi...

The children were very upset about Abi when they got in from school and they were really impressed with my 'magic' card so they asked me to make one for Abi as a Get Well Soon card. Here it is. They were pleased with it. I added a ribbon on the 'pully' bit of this card, to make it easier for my mum to pull.

Rainbow Bridge...

With worrying about Abi and everything today, it has made me remember by beloved Doberman, Digger-the-Dog (Diggy to his friends). This is a poem that can be found quite easily on the internet, my dad gave it to me when we lost Diggy. This is not for Abi as she is still with us, but as I say, I have been remembering Diggy quite a bit today. This is Rainbow Bridge and applies to anyone that has lost a pet... get the hankies ready!

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Poor Abi-Normal

Just been told by mum that Abi, her Airedale, has been taken to the vet as she has a Piemetra and she has had to have all of her womb removed. Poot thing! The vet seems confident that despite the fact that she is 10 years old (same age as Lee-Lee) that she should pull through ok. Let's hope that's the case. We're all thinking of you Abi baby. Love you.

Will give you a big (but gentle) cuggle tomorrow baby. Love youuuuuu xxx

Whipper Snapper

Love this Whipper Snapper stamp. Add a few gemstones and some ribbon. How cute is this???

Choccie Biccies...

Sarn... I've just made a cup of tea and now I'm eating choccie biscuits. Jealous???

Birthday Kittie

I love this cat so much. I got the suede 'ribbon' off a candle that we bought for hallowe'en and wanted to use it on a card. Still not sure that I used it on the 'right' card, but Lianne seems to think it goes well enough???? Personally, I think there's too much 'white'. Oh well...

Anniversary Ducks

This stamp is by 'Funstamps' and I love it as I can use it for anything. in this case I thought it would be nice for a friend's anniversary. I love this card as it is bright and colourful. Hopefully it put a smile on their faces???

Clip Clop... Clip Clop...

Over the half term, my friend Carina and her daughter Hollie, kindly offered to take Lianne riding on their horses. She had a fab time but unfortunately, WANTS ME TO BUY HER A HORSE! Anyway, that's out of the question. But as a 'thank you' we made Carina and Hollie this rather lovely Penny Black flap-over card.

Something Else...

Love this card. Stamped the House Mouse 'Birthday Cupcake' stamp onto white then mounted onto pink then white card again to create a frame, then mounted onto pink card again and added 'Zoomz' and pink spotted ribbon - et voila!!

Something Special...

I shouldn't be showing you this yet but I couldn't resist it...
Sarn recently sent me a link to http://www.timeforcrafting.co.uk/ and I love the 'Magic Slider Card'. I've seen these before but have never found anywhere where I could get really clear instructions of how to make it. This is so easy to follow and really is a truly special card. The look on Steve's and the children's faces were PRICELESS! They all wanted to know how I did it, but I've kept the secret to myself and told them that information was only available on a need-to-know basis and they DID NOT NEED TO KNOW! Hee hee hee xxx

Anyway, it's winging it's way to you as we speak Sarn and looks much better 'in real life'. Hope you like it???

Busy...Busy...Busy

I've been really busy making cards the past couple of days and another two friends got in touch with me today to ask me to make some special cards for them as they have special birthday's coming up. Fortunately, it's for the same family so I just have to remember to not make them look too 'samey'. Still, at least it'll keep me busy (for a while at least).

Poor Steve has become a crafting widow - not that he wasn't already but seems to be even more so now. Lianne has been keeping me company in my craft room by helping me colour in and stick. She loves it and she's really clever at colouring in and shading etc. Hasn't quite mastered the watercolouring yet but we're working on it. She cuts all the tape for me etc and gets the little backing papers off of the little sticky pads for me. Us crafters can't be doing with such trivial things when we're creating dahling!!! Anyway, she's been a really big help the past couple of days. Think I'll treat her tomorrow or over the weekend by taking her to see "Stardust" as we both really want to see it. Popcorn and nachos here we come!!!! Yippeee!

Kute Kittie...

Here's another offering from the world of Penny Black. Stamped with Stayzon and then watercoloured. Mounted onto patterned paper and a splash of polkadot ribbon. Stickers are by Anita's I believe (apologies if not, my brain hurts!)

...and here's Lianne

I missed Hallowe'en but...

HAPPY ALL SAINTS DAY.

Here's what we got up to last night...

YIPPPPPEEEEEE....

yippeeeeeeeee!!! I'd say I deserve a Blue Peter badge just for having had patience in getting the card on there. I hope it was worth it??? Anyway, here's Hallowe'en card number two.

Uploading pictures...

Can't get any 'bleeping' pictures to upload, it's being a right pain in the whatzit!!!!!! ARGHHHHH!

Happy Hallowe'en

Made this and two other Hallowe'en cards this afternoon. Grrrrrr! What do you think? Spooky or what? More like NOT! But hey...I like 'em!

Pants Day...

Yesterday was real pants... It was raining most of the day, the traffic in Watford was a nightmare and I couldn't get my shopping done. I spent most of the day telling the kids to be quiet because I had a stinking headache and then they went to bed and I wished I had let them stay up a bit longer because I missed them... Can't win! But at least my headache went by the time I eventually hit my pillow.

I did manage to find some time to make this Crimble card though. I decided against throwing away the cheap Christmas cards I bought in Poundland because they seemed quite cute so I cut up three of them and decoupaged the image onto my own christmas paper and added some sparkle glitter and hey presto! What do you think?

Brother-In-Law's Wedding

Sorry I wasn't around as promised over the weekend... I went to my Brother-in-Law, Stuart's wedding on Saturday afternoon and was just too busy rushing around on Saturday morning getting myself and the other little peeps washed and dressed. It was a lovely do and the bride, Sarah, looked amazing (but then she has got a lovely figure) and wore a stunning dress with white fur bolero jacket.

Enough for one day...

Anyway, that's enough for one day, I'll be back tomorrow to bore the pants off you some more. In the meantime, keep crafting and sweet dreams.

See you tomorrow (I hope)?

Cute Doggie...

Here's one I made using one of Stamping Caz's folding techniques I learnt at the weekend at The Glitter Pot. The stamp is from http://www.whippersnapperdesigns.com/ and they're all fab! Love them loads.

Mrs Claus...

Here's one LIANNE made. She's ten years old and my word she's talented. I basically left her alone with this one and just gave her the bits to put it all together. Hope one day, we'll be able to go into business together. That'd be fab! And Sarn of course, but have to persuade my hubby to move closer to her first. Wish me and Sarn could craft together every night or even once a week, think every night might be grounds for divorce from her hubby and mine!!! Hee hee hee xxx

Jingle Bells...

Well here it is, first Christmas Card of the year. Well actually this is my second attempt at the same card, didn't like the first one so I've coloured this one in differently and added some sparkle...

Love these papers. Received them from Card Making and Papercraft as me and Sarn had an article in there and they sent us a fab prize each. Lots of lovely things, thanks CM&P!

Message for Sarn...

DO YOUR IRONING!!! Then chat to me later! Love you hon xxx

Groan...

Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat... Well I've finally got myself motivated to start making my Christmas cards! Perhaps it was the vision in town of all the Christmas lights and tinsel everywhere you looked. Why do shops do that? It's not even Hallowe'en yet (my most favourite time of the year in fact) and we haven't even put the clocks back (at least not until Sunday - don't forget else you'll be late for work on Monday morning...tut tut!). Well I'm off to start my first christmas card of the season, at least I've promised myself I will anyway. We'll see...watch this space!

Just got back...

Well, I bought some papers (double sided) and some envelopes, as my stock was disappearing fast and then I got some gems, Zoomz and some cardstock. Mum had a good idea when we were browsing in Poundland, buy some Christmas card packs and get rid of the cards but keep the envelopes, good thinking mum (love you). So that's what I did. Got about 50 envelopes for £2. Result!

Flowers and Spots...

With this card, I took inspiration from Caz. I love the way she used the ribbons in the criss-cross way on one of her cards and just had to try it for myself. I'm quite pleased with this card. Bit spotty but otherwise I'm pleased!

Silver Wedding...

This is a card I made for a recent Silver Wedding Anniversary, for a work colleague. The background cardstock is actually silver linen embossed but doesn't show up very well. The dress is from Jolee's and I did the writing myself with a permanent pen which I then embossed with black embossing powder. The church is a black and white picture of the actual church she got married in, which I mounted onto black gloss cardstock and then highlighted certain areas with a watercolour pencil.

Relax...

Another Penny Black stamp., but this ones a dog and not a cat or hedgehog. Love this background paper. Monochrome again... so dramatic!

Hope you like it...?

Quiet Day...

Today is the last day of half term and I'm taking the children over to Berkhamstead for a drive (not to visit a little craft shop that's over there...honest!) Oh, okay then, yes, there is an ulterior motive! I love these Zoomz that I received from Stamping Caz so I'm going to go and purchase some more in different colours. Also need some more ribbons and background papers.

When we went to Stamping Caz's craft session on Saturday at The Glitter Pot, we made some fab cards using double sided backing papers and for some reason I only have single sided, so I NEED some more, I really do.

Can't decide what Bella's to buy so I'm gonna spend a few more days drooling over the website before deciding which ones before I finally make my purchase.

Love ya all, Fae x

Belle de Jour... aka Billie Piper

Well... what can I say? The mind boggles. I've seen Billie Piper battle against Daleks and Cybermen, see the creation and the end of the world, but I've never seen her in this light. In case you haven't been watching and don't have a clue what I'm talking about, I've just been watching 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl...' on ITV2. It was raunchy but very good. She's such a good actress, either that or she was totally enjoying herself with another woman...who knows? Night, night peeps. See you tomorrow x

Monochrome...

Another Penny Black I'm afraid. Some background papers which I purchased with Sarn at Ally Pally in April 2007 have simply been torn and I only coloured in parts of the chicken.

I love monochrome cards with just a splash of colour. They look so dramatic! I mounted the stamp on white paper then onto black before mounting onto white again, finishing with a simple black bow!

I always leave the insides blank as I could use this card for Christmas or for a Birthday.

Ballethog...

And yet another Penny Black stamp. This one is gorgeous. Perfect for a two year old's birthday. She should love it. Well, at least, I hope so!

I've coloured this one with water colour pencils and added a little sparkle with GellyRoll pens.

Embellishments and background papers are from my local Art and Crafts shop. Sorry, can't remember who manufactures the paper.

Hope you like?

Nature's Way

Another one of my favourites. Love this stamp (yes, you've guessed it...Penny Black!) The Penny Black stamps are so easy to use and can be used for so many different occasions. I just love them. Are you bored yet?

Grape Anyone...?

This is one of my favourite House Mouse stamps. I've watercoloured the image and added a bit of ribbon. I love using this colour cardstock with this stamp as they co-ordinate brilliantly.

And there's more...

Here's another of my creations... loving this creative streak. Hope it's here to stay. Have just ordered two new Penny Black stamps (I know, I know... money's too tight etc etc) but I couldn't resist it.

I'm on a roll...

Here's another one. As you can see, I've been busy during the school half term, my poor children! Bless them!

Bella's

Just been on Stamping Caz's blog and she mentioned the Bella stamps so I went on their website and I've fallen in lurve, they're fab. Got to buy some of those, they'll make brilliant cards and they have such a fantastic selection. Gotta get some... soon. Have to save up 'big time' first though as money's too tight to mention at the moment.

Picture of Sarn

Sorry, just realised on my earlier message re Alexander Palace didn't have the picture of me and Sarn attached... well I am new to this (give me a break...not literally!). Anyway, here she is, my bezzie mate Sarn... she's the one on the left.

PTS Card

Oh my, I've just finished making this card and couldn't wait to post it to my new blogspot. Let me know what you think, I'd love to get some feedback. My husband, Steve, works for the Patient Transport Service and one of his colleagues is leaving so they asked me to make a special card for her to say goodbye... you know, something we may wish to keep! This is what I came up with.

Catchya later...

Alexander Palace

This is my best friend Sarn, we usually meet up twice a year at Alexander Palace as she sadly lives 80 miles away from me, not that we let distance stop us being friends. This year, in fact last week, we were lucky enough to get together a third time, we went to The Glitter Pot and had a crafting session with Stamping Caz. It was a great day out for me as I had no children, fortunately Steve took them off to Brighton for the day and left me in peace. We made four fabulous cards with Caz and it was lovely to finally have the opportunity to craft with my bezzie mate. Thanks Caz x

P.S. Love to Julie and Sarn's Dad Barry for sharing their fabulous lunches with me! Yum Yum!

Hello Peeps...

Hi everyone.

Welcome to my Blog Spot. Here I'll be posting new articles and pictures of various cards I make from time to time and hope to hear some of your comments, good and bad. I'm always looking for constructive criticism. Anyway, here is a card I made earlier this week. I hope you like it...?