New Year Card!!!

I got an order in for a New Year card yesterday which luckily wasn't needed urgently.
Can't remember doing one before and I had quite a few ideas mooching around before I settled on this design.
The background paper and sentiment were made on the computer and the landscape was cut on Jimminy Cricut using the Plantin cartridge which came with the Expression.....how fortunate was that.......lol!!!
I pieced some silver card behind the windows and highlighted the landscape with a white gel pen.
The firework trails have been done with a clear Stardust pen....(if that's a clear pen then I am going to eat it raw......lol!!! It looks silver to me whatever I use it on).
Fireworks are star shaped gems attached with Glossy Accents.
The picture isn't too good as the light here today is almost non existent.

Well how cold is it today? I nearly went and snuggled up with DD earlier on. She is on nightshift and really has trouble getting off to sleep when she gets in bed as she is so cold. Her Dad and I bought her an electric blanket for Christmas which we switch on for her a couple of hours before she comes in and she is sleeping like a log now.
I think I would probably spontaeously combust if we had one........I have enough trouble with my own personal micro climate going on........except on days you need it like today.....lol!!!

It's driving me nuts having hubby at home......sure you all know that feeling. He is a bit set in his ways with regards mealtimes and HAS to have breakfast, lunch and dinner at the time he likes to have them and he likes to know the day before what he is having. Me......I am a bit come day, go day and just eat when I am ready and have whatever I fancy. He's got me run ragged with cooking every day......up and down two flights of stairs. He'll go back to work looking like a stuffed turkey and I shall look like a scrawny chicken by the time I'm done.....which maybe ain't a bad thing.....lol!!!
I really had to put my foot down yesterday to get a whole day up in my workroom and the big box of cards I envisioned making while I was off amounts to the twelve I did yesterday. Oh well I wouldn't be without him......unless someone makes me a good offer of course.

Best go and put his nibs' rice on to cook then.
Bye for now
Sheila-x-

I Could Get Used To This!!!

I have to say that I am enjoying being at home and could very easily get used to it if given the chance.....lol!!!

I've spent the last couple of days pottering about tidying away some of the Christmas stuff such as........yet another poinsettia I have killed. I have one every year and every year they drop dead within days of coming into the house. They just don't like me I'm afraid.

Hubby has put me some new lighting in my workroom at last and today I have been up there making Easter cards. I managed twelve (two designs...six of each) before I got bored with the pastel colours but I am quite pleased with them.

Once they were done I did a bit of sorting out and getting rid of rubbish and I'm back off up there now to tidy up a bit ready for another cardmaking session tomorrow.

I've not touched any of my new stuff yet......still at the stroking, oohing and aaahing stage at the moment......lol!!!

So the cards........
For the top set I used some cards from a DCWV set of cards and envelopes. I cut off the fronts and used a piece layered onto a piece cut from the back to make a tag. The eggs are a Sizzix die.
The second pair were made using K & Co Mat Pads and the egg is cut on the Cricut Doodlecharms cartidge.


Right I'm off.....it's flippin' freezing in this back room.
Bye for now
Sheila-x-

Christmas Presents!!!

I hope everyone is having as wonderful a Christmas as we are here in the Manic household.
We had a fab lunch yesterday.....cooked by hubby who after 32 years of being told.....finally got the hint that I hate turkey and cooked a chicken instead.
I then spent a lovely afternoon in the kitchen preparing a buffet tea as DS and his girlfriend were coming over. We had a really great evening with them and were quite sad when they had to go home.
Today has been quiet and relaxing. I have been playing on the Expression and trying to get to grips with all it's features........still need a bit more practice methinks....lol!!!

Santa must have been well impressed by my behaviour this year as I have been spoilt rotten with crafty gifts and smellies in the form of lotions,potions and candles.
I've taken pics of some of my crafty pressies......yes these are just some of them.

I am so incredibly lucky to have people who know me so well.

Stamps from Deb, DD and Hubby.
Tim Holtz Goodies from DD.

Papers from Deb, DD and Hubby.



Ink Pads from DD

Glimmer Mists from DD

I was also lucky enough to get heaps of my favourite Yankee Candles in the most delicious scents and to feed my new found passion I got lots of Sanctuary Spa goodies. Have you smelt that stuff? Honestly it is just divine. I have to be the most 'ungirly' girl I know. Never been one for slapping on moisturisers and creams but hoooooey......... you should see me now........lol!!! Anyone know where I can get it by the tanker load?!!!

I have to say though that pressies aside the best thing about Christmas was seeing DS and his girlfriend so happy together. We don't see them much as they both have very demanding jobs with long hours and their free time is precious. I felt so emotional to see my lad all grown up and cherishing his girl.......oh gawd get me a tissue!!!

Well I am off to tidy all the card away that I have been cutting up and I might do a bit of stamping and squirting if the mood takes me. If not I have until Jan 5th to do whatever I like so there's no rush.......alien words to me........lol!!!

Bye for now

Sheila-x-

Here We Are!!!

Well it's here at last and what we haven't got now we shall be doing without.
The most important thing to me is that I will be spending tomorrow with the people I love and in my thoughts will be all the people who can't be together on Christmas Day for whatever reason.


I'd like to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.


Love and hugs
Sheila-x-

Are We Nearly There Yet?!!!

Hope everyone's Christmas preparations are going well and that you are having fun.
I have to say that I shall be glad when the shops are closed on Christmas Eve and I can't spend any more money.....lol!!!
My wonderful daughter came up to the shop today so that I could have a mad dash around Ashby picking up last minute bits and bobs and I think that I am finished now. Just have a few pressies still to wrap.
Still in housewifey mode.....I hope the wind doesn't change and I get stuck like this....lol!!!
I'm just waiting for the ham to finish baking and then I am off to bed. This Christmas stuff is exhausting isn't it?

I bought the new Cricut Expression home tonight but am guessing that I won't have much chance to play with it until Wednesday night. I've had a quick go at the shop but can't wait to explore it a bit more.

I'll say goodnight then.
Sheila-x-

Where Did The Week Go?!!!

Blimey.......last time I looked it was Monday and here we are at Saturday.
I've not made a single card all week as I have come over all 'Mrs Mop' and have been doing lots of cleaning both at the shop and at home. I must be insane as I was cleaning out kitchen drawers at half past eleven last night......as if Santa will be looking in my kitchen drawers...I ask ya!!!
Hubby has asked me to wallpaper the dining area of the kitchen.....bless him...not!!!
I've told him that my next big job is a new patio with him as the foundations.....lol!!!
So that is my job today. I am just waiting for him to come back from the butchers and then we have to nip out and get wallpaper and stuff.
I expect you are all just as busy.
Have a good weekend.
Sheila-x-

Black & White Wedding!!!

Sorry I have not blogged for a few days. It's that time of year as you all know and I seem to be keeping busy with housey stuff and not doing much cardmaking.
I'm trying to sort out everything that is Christmas and put it all in one big box so I know where to find it next year but I think it may have to be two boxes judging by what I have sorted so far....lol!!!
It's a cold and dismal day here so I have spent the morning cooking something nice and warming for our late lunch. DD is on night shift and will be outdoors for the night while we are all snuggled up so I like her to have something hot and filling before she goes out.
Today I have made Savoury Mince which used to be one of my all time favourite school dinners when I was at junior school and we shall be having it with steamed cabbage, carrots and mashed potatoes.......yum yum!!!


While that has been simmering away I have had chance to finish this card which I started yesterday. Again I have used the Artemio flower stamps.
The outline image has been stamped in black StazOn onto white vellum and the solid image has been stamped in white Brilliance onto vellum.
The white has then been outlined with a fine permanent marker pen and the middle filled with Frosted Lace Stickles.
The small flowers have been punched and embellished with some small round peeloffs before being coated with the Stickles.
Usually I would draw a circle with a pencil as a guide for the wreath shape but that didn't work on my first attempt as it showed through the flowers. My little tip for the day is to use an embossing stylus to mark out the circle. This is enough of a mark to work with but doesn't show on the finished card.
I think this stamp set is going to end up being one of my all time favourite sets for doing cards for weddings and anniversarys. I love it.

Can't wait to be at work this week...lol!!! Deb has ordered yet another new Cricut cartridge for me ( Wild Card) and also the new blade housing and blades which means I will be able to cut chipboard shapes......yay!!! She also ordered a Cricut Expression which we are going to share between us.
I am going to have such a fun break at Christmas.

Right I am off to feed the ravenous pair who are lounging about on the sofa's and singing 'Why are we waiting'.........they are so cheeky.....lol!!!

Bye for now and thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Beautiful Tag-The Sequel!!!

Tonight I am posting a finished card using a tag exactly the same as the one I made the other day........just in slightly different colours. I wasn't 100% happy with the black image on the previous tag so I have stamped and embossed it this time using clear EP and then brushed gold Cosmic Shimmer powder over the embossing and reheated it for a lighter look.

For the card blank I have cut a large square and rounded off the corners of the back panel then sponged it with Denim Adirondack ink.

On a seperate piece of card I have used the flower image which I inked with Lettuce and Cranberry Adirondack and then misted with water before stamping to create a soft watercolour look. I added a little more colour with pencils and low odour thinners and sponged with more Denim Adirondack.

This was then cut out and added to the card blank front and cut around again leaving a border which was edged in gold pen.
The tag is then tied onto the card with gold thread.

Not the kind of card you would make if you needed one in a hurry......lol!!!

You can imagine the mess on my desk now I am sure so I had best go and tidy up before I get started on cutting up materials to do this card in a class tomorrow.

Bye for now......and thanks for visiting.

Sheila-x-

Artemio Flowers!!!

Here is a card I made today using a set of Artemio stamps.
I have used an Olive Green StazOn ink pad to stamp the flower outlines onto a card mat and coloured with pencils and low odour thinners.....even though it doesn't show much on the finished card I like to know I did a thorough job.
I then used a solid flower stamp with Memories chalk ink onto vellum. This ink pad is new so is very juicy and the effect came out just like watercolouring which surprised me as I was expecting a flat matt finish. The ink did need to be dried with a heat gun.
Didn't have a single piece of card that either matched or co-ordinated very well with the colours of the main image so I coloured up some to match using the chalk inks in the colour of the flowers and a soft green.
Outlined the flowers with a gold gel pen which turned a beautiful coppery pink and then added Stickles around the swirly bits and some gold corners.......4 down and about 2 million to go.......lol!!!
Quite a simple card but I am rather pleased with it as I don't usually do simple very well.


I am so looking forward to the Christmas break now as I have lots of new things to play with that I have had for weeks and not even opened yet.
Yesterday I bought home the Storybook cartridge for Jimminy Cricut and if Deb orders again before Christmas I have my eye on the Wild Card cartridge too. I have a sneaky suspicion that Santa may have some crafty stuff for me as well.....wonder if Deb would give me a month off with pay......lol!!!


Kettle has boiled and I am off for a cuppa.
Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Beautiful Tag!!!

Had the urge to do inky things tonight as I was getting a bit fed up with doing the Bitsa cards.
I wasn't in the mood to do any matching of papers so I have just used a mountboard tag and I will think about what I will do with it later.


The background is Adirondack inks in Lettuce, Stream and Denim applied with a sponge and blended. I then flicked water drops onto it and soaked up the excess with a tissue.
Stamped the flower image in StazOn-Olive Green and then used a water brush to remove the background ink from the flowers by brushing and blotting with tissue.
I then dried it with my heat gun and recoloured the flowers using crayons and low odour thinners. Dots were added with a white gel pen.......don't ask me why.......I just felt like it......lol!!!
The postal image was stamped in Versafine and embossed with clear powder after which I added some darker green crayon to some of the leaves.
The bird was stamped in Versamark and embossed with gold powder and I extended the branch to the side of the tag with an embossing pen and more gold powder.
The word was stamped in StazOn-Olive Green and outlined in white gel pen and I used the same pen to add an outline to part of the tag for some definition.
The images I used were all from a set of clear Stamps by Prima.


Well I haven't been warm since I left the house this morning so I am back off to my room to crank up the heating and maybe wrap a few Christmas presents.


Ta Ta for now.
Sheila-x-

'Bitsa' Card 3!!!

I've not been able to spend quite as much time cardmaking this weekend what with cleaning carpets and ferretting dust out of the corners. Still the house is all spick and span...well nearly.....and ready for Santa.
Hubby has fetched the tree and decs down which DD is going to put up for me tomorrow and once it is up we shall be in the mood to start watching our collection of Christmas films at the weekend......even though we have seen them all a thousand times before.


Another 'Bitsa' card for you today from the bits and pieces boxes.
A bit of Papermania paper and a Laura Ashley flower with oodles of glitter.
You will notice that I am using quite a bit of glitter because when I sorted out my bottles of Stickles I found that I had four.....yes four......bottles of Diamond and of Crystal too so it has to go as I want to treat myself to some Distress Stickles after Christmas.


Have you visited Tim Holtz's blog lately? He is doing a series of tags for the twelve days of Christmas. Oh man you should see those tags........they are stunning. My favourite so far is the snowman.......or is it the reindeer? I can't decide.
Anyhoo if you want a peek there is a link in my Inspirational Places which will take you straight there.


I am off to soak my poor aching body in a hot bath. This housework thing is just soooo overrated..........lol!!!
Thanks for visiting today.
Sheila-x-

Bitsa Cards!!!

After sorting out my embellishments the other week I ended up with a couple of boxes like the one above which I filled with oddments. These are either stuff I don't like any more and am going to alter or ends of packets of things which I will use.........eventually.
So the cards I will be making for the next few days have been christened Bitsa Cards as they are made of 'bitsa this and bitsa that' from my oddment boxes.

The large chipboard shapes you can see in the box are being covered with papers to tie in with other bits being used up such as the Papermania papers, Laura Ashley flowers and Making Memories flowers and brads.

I am also going to be making a huge effort to use up what I can of the peeloffs I have left before binning the rest.

These cards will go into my box and will hopefully give me a good bit of stock for the local shop when the Christmas cards come back.

Made a start on the carpets today.....yay!!! Didn't do right through because hubby decided he was going to strip the wallpaper in the kitchen. I did refrain from doing him an injury with a handy saucepan.......lol!!! I made a very dignified exit to my craft room and stayed there until he'd finished.....after which I wasn't quite so dignified once I saw the mess he had made. Luckily I don't do visitors at Christmas so it can flippin' well stay like that until I have time to do something about it.

I also......shock/horror..........have done some Christmas shopping. Usually mine is left until the week of Christmas so this is well organised for me.......lol!!!

Hubby went out and got the rooted Christmas tree for the garden which I have been wanting for...........oooooooh at least two years. He picked a real little beauty so I am chuffed to bits with that.

I am going to have a coffee and quick blog hop and then I shall be going back to my cards for a while.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sheila-x-

Under The Weather!!!

Sorry I haven't posted much this last few days but I haven't been feeling too fabulous.
It happens usually at this time of year every year unfortunately. I get run down and go down with one infection after another...the latest was an abcess in my jaw which thankfully has now just about gone.
Just taking one last night off as I feel the need to snuggle and I should be back tomorrow with some cards or projects once I have cleaned the carpets.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sheila-x-

Basic Grey With Artemio!!!

I seem to be on a bit of a roll with cards at the minute and I have been dying to use these Basic Grey papers since we had them in.

Having no A3 card I have made this side fold DL from two 4" strips cut down the length of a piece of A4. One piece has been trimmed down to 8.25" long and the other was scored at 3.5" then folded at the score. The 8.25" piece was then attached to the inside of the front flap with DST.

The flower from a set of clear stamps by Artemio has been stamped in Adirondack Pigment Ink-Snow Cap and embossed with white powder.

Nearly blinked and missed the snow at Ashby today......lol!!! It snowed for all of five minutes and they were lovely big flakes too which would have settled if it had carried on. Mind you....if I was to get snowed in somewhere I would rather it was at home than at work.

Feel the need for a soak in a nice hot bath now before I go and cut up all the stuff for tomorrow's workshop. I didn't get time to sort out a card or anything as we were so busy at the shop today so I did that after tea. I had planned to get my carpets shampooed tonight but they will have to wait until Wednesday now and I do so hate putting jobs like that off once I have psyched myself up to getting them done.

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

More White And Pink!!!

I've been making quite a few of these envelope cards for giving gift vouchers or cash in for Christmas. They are so quick and easy to make.....depending on what you use for embellishing of course.

I made this one to go with the poinsettia card I posted and just added a little very pale green pearlised paint.

Although this is a different poinsettia image it is still by Stampendous but comes in a set of clear stamps.

For this project I started off with a strip of card 11.5 x 4.75 inches and scored at 2 inches and 6.75 inches. I then folded it and went over the score lines with a bone folder to sharpen the creases.

The envelopes are C6 and they have been sealed before being cut down to create a 4.50 inch square. They are joined together with a strip of tape down the centre and then attached to the inside of the card with a strip of tape down the centre of each side.

The piece on the front is a matter of personal choice and as well depends on your chosen embellishment but whatever size you do it, it is attached with foam pads only on the bottom edge.

Dawn over at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts did a video tutorial on this. I have just changed the measurements slightly to fit UK envelope sizes.

I've had a lovely day again today. We went out to a canalside pub for Sunday lunch and ate by the side of a roaring fire. Oooooh it was so nice.
After getting back I completed a batch of cards I started yesterday and I am just about to go and tidy up before deciding whether I carry on working or be a lazy madam and watch some tv tonight.........decisions,decisions..........lol!!!

Bye for now........and thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

What A Lovely Surprise!!!

I was very honoured to be featured on the Inspirational blog yesterday. I've hoped that maybe one day my blog would be chosen. But after seeing some of the truly awesome work that has been featured thought that I didn't really stand a chance.
You can imagine my shock when Julie left a comment in the post below telling me that I had made it.
Thank you so much.

Elsewhere in the 'Manic' household I have been sorting out my embellishments......of which I have an embarrassing amount.......and trying to put them into some kind of order so that they get used. What a flippin' nightmare!!! My desk looks like an explosion in a bling factory and if you melted down my brads you could probably make a good sized car out of the metal.

I took a break this evening and watched Mama Mia......last person on the planet to see it I expect but it didn't really appeal to me as over hyped films usually tend to disappoint me. I LOVED IT!!!!! What a fantastic film. I'm still singing away and not at all tired so I'm off upstairs to do a bit more sorting.

Thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

DCM-White Christmas!!!

Over at DCM this week the team are looking for a White Christmas with a touch of PINK!!!
So this is another version of the vellum poinsettia card that I have done loads of this year.
This time I have added a Cuttlebugged background and a hint of pink using pearlised watercolours.
Thanks for looking.
Sheila-x-

Winter!!!

What a fantastic night we had last night at the open evening. The shop was bursting at the seams and the atmosphere was wonderful. I almost wish we could do it every week........but only almost.....lol!!!
I managed to get just about everything tidied up and back to normal today and by the time I got home I was ready for a bit of 'me' time so I decided to finish off the card I had left drying the other night.



Again I have used the Beautiful Lady With Music image from Karen at Graphics Fairy. I love it so much.
Colouring has been done with various inks and pencils then I added two different Stickles (Crystal and Diamond) to the gauzy fabric she has wrapped around her.
For the background I masked out the image and stamped with a Christmas text (Teal StazOn) and then a snowflake (Moonlight White Brilliance).
The card has been finished with Basic Grey papers.



Once I have had a good soak in the bath I shall be back on track.......well apart from the infection I seem to have picked up on my elbow of all places. I suffer with very dry skin there so it must have cracked and let in a buggy thing. It don't half hurt and I am having to type with my elbow on a folded towel to stop it pressing on the table.
Doing the demo last night was agony when my arm touched the table but hopefully nobody noticed.....lol!!!


Right then I am off for a quick squizz around some blogs and then off for my soak and a read.
Bye for now and thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Oh My Gawd....What A Mess!!!

I've just been up in my work room and spent an hilarious half hour playing with oil pastels and a hot iron and discovered just why it was I never took up Encaustic Art.
I have never seen such an almighty mess in all me born days. Shan't be trying that again......and no you can't see the mess I made.....it's just too embarrassing.....lol!!!
Was a bit proud of myself though.........I stamped an image on top of the mess and it didn't take too well so knowing it was headed for the bin anyway I overstamped it in a different ink and wouldn't you know I got it absolutely spot on which wouldn't have happened if it had been a good background........S's Law eh?


Had a busy day at the shop tidying and sorting stuff out for the sale. There are lots of half price goodies and one or two special offers so we are hoping to see lots of crafty shoppers with an eye for a bargain.
For those customers who haven't visited in the last couple of weeks or for those who didn't pick up an invitation the sale will start at 10am and go right through until 8pm.
From 6pm to 8pm there will be drinks and nibbles.
Hope to see you there.


I am not required until lunch time tomorrow so knowing that I can have a lie in.....I am away to my room to make a card with a piece that has been drying....well if it is dry now of course.
Bye for now and thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Christmas Collage Stamp!!!

Oh it has been such a lovely day today. Although I was a bit miffed to find our snowfall didn't quite live up to expectations. I was reading Ikea Goddess's blog last night and they had six inches of snow......if you had swept up all of our snow and added the next three villages I reckon we may have managed an eigth of an inch between us.......lol!!! However it has been windy and wet with a touch of sunshine and rainbows which viewed from the cosiness of my workroom is a lovely day.

I am slowly working my way through a mountain of Christmas stamps and trying to decide which to keep and which to rehome so today I have used this Hero Arts collage stamp to make a card before it goes in the rehoming box.

I started off with a piece of white gloss card to which I applied StazOn in Teal Blue and Blazing Red.....straight from the pad. I then went over it with an alcohol ink tool loaded with blending solution to smooth out the colour.
The image was then stamped in Ancient Page Coal Black ink and left to dry while I stamped another image onto plain white card and stamped the Basic Grey Flourish Borders onto the card blank.
I removed the middle of the coloured image and attached it to the white one then punched a hole and added an eyelet.
Highlighted around the holly leaves with a white gel pen and added silver brads over the holly berries.
I added a line from top to bottom to join up the borders using fineliner pens and once that was done I added Diamond Stickles for a bit of bling.
The tag was then attached to the card with white glittered thread.

There are no classes now until Thursday as we have to spend tomorrow getting the shop ready for the open evening. Deb made a start on Saturday and then phoned me in a panic and said it looked like a bomb site. I am sure everything will be 'alright on the night' though.

Back of to my nest to do a bit more stamp sorting.

Thanks for dropping by
Sheila-x-

Shrink Plastic!!!

Here are the results of my little play with Shrink Plastic the other day.
For saying that it's not really my favourite thing to work with I am quite pleased with this.
I started off with a rectangle of clear plastic and inked the back of it with Stream, silver mixative and a little blending solution.
The stamping was done on the front using StazOn in Jet Black and I punched a hole for hanging.
For the background piece I inked the edges of a small piece of card with Memories Teal metallic ink and then inked the Cuttlebug embossing folder with Versamark before putting through the machine. I then added Ranger Polysparkle EP and heated.
This left the snowflakes and spotted circles bare so I inked over them with the teal ink on a sponge.
Once the embellishment was shrunk I added Diamond Stickles and hung it on a piece of silver thread.
The greeting was stamped in StazOn and lightly glittered with stickles.
The stamps are Inkadinkado.
If you click on the picture you should get a larger image which shows the glitter much better.

I can't believe it's gone 4pm already. I was up early this morning to go and do a freezer shop with hubby and then we went and bought a new dining table to replace the one I pinched for my workroom. I've packed a few cards and that's it.......day is nearly gone.
I'm cooking tea now as hubby has just assembled the table and four chairs and he is exhausted...............men!!!

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Magenta Holly Tag!!!

I decided to have one last session with this stamp before I consign it to the 'stamps to rehome' box.
I've had it for a few years but haven't used it quite as much as I should have.
Here I have stamped it twice in black Ancient Page onto water colour paper and used pencils and low odour thinners with a blending stump for the colouring.
After colouring I layered one tag onto gold card and threaded it with gold thread to hang from the top of the card. The other I attached as a border.

I'm off for three days now to gather my strength ready for our Open Evening at the shop on Tuesday. It will be a combination of our first birthday celebrations and the start of our winter sale. If everyone comes who has said they will it is going to be quite a busy day.

Need to do a bit of catching up now as I fell asleep on the sofa after tea and I have a couple of jobs I promised myself I would get done tonight.

Bye for now
Sheila-x-

Been Telling Porkies!!!

Still trogging away at Christmas cards despite saying I wasn't going to be doing any more. This is due to having workshops booked with ladies who are well up to date on all of this years designs and I have to find new ones for them to do.
Lurrrrrrrrrrving my new Inkadinkado stamps though. How can I be grumpy with beautiful images like these to work with.........lol!!!
As tomorrows main technique is Shrink Plastic this card is just a simple design for the last half hour of the class.
The greeting has been stamped in black Ancient Page straight onto the paper and embellished with a white gel pen and Crystal Stickles.
The deer has been stamped in black Versafine and embossed with Ranger Polysparkle EP.
I am loving the soft denim blue/grey card we just had in on the Paper Cellar stand and it goes beautifully with the Magenta paper I used here.

The ears are a bit better now. They still hurt this morning but as the day has gone on they have gone from very sharp pains to a dull ache so it's not too bad.

Got to go and create something with Shrink Plastic now. Not something I use a lot of myself to be honest but I don't mind a dabble now and again.......I am going to have a cuppa first to build my strength up......I could be at it all night.....lol!!!

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Vintage Sewing!!!

Just a quickie post tonight. I am feeling pretty yucky.........think I have an ear infection coming on......and I could do without that at the moment.

Anyhoo this is another card made with the Stamp To Your Arts Content unmounted sheet..........yes there are other stamps on it but this one is my favourite as it is BIG.
Accent stamps are........Rubbadubbadoo (scissors), Sunday International (French wording) and Royal and Langnickel (tag).
Other items used.......old sewing pattern, buttons, ribbon and a brad through the scissors.
All finished off with a bit of doodling for the stitching and the outer corners.
Hope you like it.

Need some sleep now as I have a busy day tomorrow.......ear infection or not!!!
Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Nothing New Today!!!

Sorry I have nothing new to post this evening. There is a card under construction but it isn't dry yet so I don't want to stand it up to photograph it in case everything falls off.

While I am waiting for it to dry I have been having a bit of a fiddle about with a new header for my blog. I'm thinking that it is a bit bright so I might change it yet again some time this week.

Once again the weekend has flown by and it's back to work tomorrow. I am almost scared to go as I know that we have had deliveries while I've been off........and of course I shall be wanting some of everything as usual.

Well I had best go and tidy up my mess.

Bye for now
Sheila-x-

DCM-Birds!!!

It is so long since I had the time to play along with The Daring Cardmakers so I was delighted to see that their dare this week fit in with a card I made just yesterday.
The robin has been cut using a Dovecraft template which is actually for a decoration I think but I have added skinny striped legs and bovver boots just because I was in a daft mood.
If I had thought about it I could have used one of my many new bird sets of stamps so maybe I will have to play some more.......lol!!!
Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

A New Stamp!!!

Anyone who has seen this image before will be thinking.......hang on a minute that doesn't look quite right...........and they would be right.
The image is actually contained within the frame and only a part of her dress is visible so I stamped onto a spare scrap of card and extended the dress shape by drawing it and then made a template that I used to draw around on the back of some Basic Grey paper.
The image was stamped onto some pale silver pearl card using Ancient Page-Coal Black and the dress was then pieced over the top. Obviously this obliterated her hand so I stamped again and just cut out the glove.
Edging down the side and across the bottom is hand drawn.
Bling was added with silver Stickles.

The stamp is from an A4 unmounted sheet by Stamp To Your Arts Content of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

Thanks for stopping by
Sheila-x-

Cased Christmas!!!

This card was made before I said I wouldn't be making any more Christmas cards and it is one I 'cased' from a card made by Deb who in turn 'cased' it from a birthday card she had.
We both loved this folded front with the tags.
The images on the tags are all paper pieced and are from a set of stamps by Kars. The sentiment is from a set by Habico and the papers are Basic Grey and 7 Gypsies.

Well for a very wet day and the first day of the craft show at the NEC I had a pretty busy day at the shop today. I had myself all set up to do a pile of die cuts to keep myself occupied in the workshop upstairs and I was up and down the stairs all day.......got to be good for my figure.....lol!!!
I came home with the hugest bag of stash including yet more stamps and then got home to find three more sets of stamps and a little pile of the new Basic Grey Wassail........be still my beating heart......lol!!! It is just gorgeous. I only have four of the designs but that will be rectified next week after we get our delivery at the shop.

Can't do any stamping tonight as I have orders to finish for tomorrow......thankfully no tractors this time!!! Once they are delivered in the morning I shall have to get out some of my new sets and have a play with them and some ink pads I got today.

Back to work for me now then.
Bye for now and thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Little Dancer!!!

Just had to show this card I put together using one of the little people that DD has made for me from the Paper Dolls Cricut cartridge. Sorry the colour looks a little washed out but I took the pic using a daylight lamp as the natural light has been pretty dire these last few days.
DD is loving making these up for me........which is a good job really as I don't think I would have the patience to do them having seen some of the tiny bits you have to do.

Deb very kindly let me borrow her Storybook cartridge for a few days so tonight I have been cutting out a few things with that. Didn't think it would be on my list of must haves I must admit but it so is now that I have had a play with it.
The intricacy of some of the elements on it just astound me.

I expect a lot of UK ladies will be having an early night ready for a big day out at the NEC tomorrow. I've not been for a couple of years and am not planning on going again ever if I can help it. Not a big fan of crowds these days though I will probably go to the trade show with Deb in February..........well I will if she asks me........hint, hint Boss.........lol!!!
Anyway make sure you have your Weetabix ladies and have a fab day.

Right........I am off for a nice soak in the bath to finish off the book I am reading and then I am going to start on my traditional, this time of year book.......Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher. I have read it so many times but it is my most favourite feelgood book......comfortable and cosy for these dark autumn nights...plus it starts to get me in the mood for Christmas and start planning ours.

Night night......and thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Just When You Thought I'd Finished!!!

I know I said I was done with Christmas but I have made a few more cards just to use up some leftover papers.
This one is my current two favourite Basic Grey papers and the tag from the stamp set I designed for TandaStamps last year.
Haven't decided on the greeting yet.....or to leave as it is.

Deb and I are busy at the moment sorting out things at the shop ready for our open evening on November 25th. We are celebrating our first year in the new shop and starting our winter sale.
It doesn't seem like five minutes since we put them away but the Christmas decorations will be coming out again in the next few days and the shop will look very festive.......my favourite time of year.

Did a lovely class with some ladies this afternoon making gift bags and baskets. It was such a nice change from making cards and I think I enjoyed it as much as they did.

Well I am off to my little nest in the attic where it is warm and snuggly. We have only just lit the fire down here so the heating hasn't kicked in yet and I am freezing.

Thanks for visiting.
Sheila-x-

Totally Traumatic Tractor!!!

As a girl who knows next to nothing about motor vehicles of any kind and who's only interest is that it has four wheels and a CD player, I have to say I did panic a bit when asked to make a card with a tractor on it.
I searched everywhere for anything with a tractor on it and found nothing so had to bite the bullet and do a handcut one.
Now I could......if I was that way inclined......let you all think....WOW isn't she clever....but I will hold my hands up and admit that I did download a childrens colouring page to help get the proportions right and all the twiddly bits. Having said that....it looks nothing like the original picture.
You will have to excuse the glare from the cello bag but I wanted it packed up so that I didn't spill anything on it and have to do it again.......it took me about four hours as it was......lol!!!

I have some prep to do tonight for tomorrow's class then I am going to gather up all of my new stamps and start to design some new cards with colours other than red and green..........YAY!!!

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Sorry I Didn't Send Postcards!!!

Well I enjoyed my little holiday and now I am back.
I spent most of the week catching up on orders and making childrens cards for the local shop.........or doing the samples etc to get the layouts right anyway.
By last night I was ready to do something I could get my teeth into and I had this beautiful image that I have been wanting to do something with for quite a while.
It's an image from the fabulous Graphics Fairy site which is run by Karen. She posts a new image every single day and there are some awesome ones on there.

I printed this image onto some good quality printer paper and then colourwashed her skintone using a Marvy Le Plume pen which I scribbled onto my work mat and picked up with a water brush.
I then added a wash of turquoise glitter gel pen to the laurel wreath and clear glitter gel pen to the white parts of her costume.
Once dry I layered the image onto some Basic grey paper and then some Bazzill which I scruffed up with my scissor blade.
The background was stamped with a flourish stamp from a new set of Inkadinkado stamps and decorated with large punched snowflakes and a bit of silver Stickles on the flourishes.
If you click on the image you should get a bigger version.

I'm scuttling back up to my workroom now as it is freezing in the room where the computer is......my ex workroom which is very draughty.

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Taking A Break!!!

Just wanted to let you all know that I am going to take a break from blogging until the weekend.
I have just about finished with Christmas cards now so will not be designing any new ones and will be starting to design things for the new year in the next few days which I will hopefully have to show at the weekend.
See you then
Bye for now.
Sheila-x-

Bah....Humbug!!!

Starting to get a bit Ebenezerish now and I don't care if I never see another Christmas card until ooh at least.......Christmas........lol!!!

Anyhoo here are a couple more for you. The top one is stamped with a Hero Arts stamp and I did this in a class with some ladies yesterday. I do apologise for the slightly blurry picture but I had to take it at close quarters.

Then we have another Cricut card........and for Net.......yes it is a solutions cartridge.

This is just one of the three reindeer on the cartridge. I have lots of ideas for using it but I don't think I will be doing many more Christmas cards now hopefully so they will come in use for next year.......as long as I write them down.

I see they have bought out a new blade housing and blades for the Cricut which enables you to cut chipboard and magnet. Can't wait to get my hands on that.

Well I think I should just about be able to fit a tree in my workroom although it won't be a huge one.
I have spent all day squishing stuff down into smaller boxes and cramming the bigger boxes so full that I can barely lift them. I am absolutely shattered so I think I'll go and have a bath and a read for a bit.

Just a quick thank you before I go to the ladies who replied to my cry for help yesterday.

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Computer Problems!!!

Yay!!! Editing this to add that I have sorted it out now. Just did a restore and it's fine again.
Well even though I consider myself.......not too bad on the computer I am stumped as to what can be the matter with it tonight.
If I explain maybe someone would be kind enough to give me a hint as to what is wrong.
OK so I have been on Kay Miller Designs looking at the kits but nothing happens when I click on 'view larger image'.
Then I went on Pink Petticoat to buy a download and nothing happens when I click on 'buy me'.
Finally I came on to post a new card on the blog and nothing happens when I click on the 'add picture' icon.
It's got me well and truly flummoxed as it was fine this morning when I left it and it hasn't been on all day as I have been at work.
Can anyone help?
Thanks a lot.
Sheila-x-

More Cricut Christmas!!!

A couple more Cricut cards as promised.

The first is an angel from Christmas Noel.............lurrrrrrrrve it!!!

The second is a snowman from Doodle Charms. I have replaced his carot shaped nose with a hand drawn tangerine nose though.......can you tell I am a fan of 'The Snowman'.............lol!!!

I can't wait to make up some cards using the little characters DD has been making for me from the Paper Dolls cartridge.

I've finished early in my workroom tonight as it is such a tip that I can't bear to look at it. I've been having a bit of a shift round and getting rid of excess furniture and DS's old TV but there is still quite a bit of stuff to put away. I'm trying to make room to have a christmas tree up there...... seeing as that is where I spend most of my life.

Think I will treat myself to an earlier night in bed for once.
Night night........and thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Yet More Bloomin' Christmas & An Award!!!

Oh I shall be sooooooooooooo glad when I can stop doing Christmas cards. I really have had enough now.

Anyway I have a few new ones to show you today.

The snowman is another one using the Creative Expressions stamp set I used for the Country Style Snowman card but this time I have used a couple more of the elements from the set.

Colouring is done with Marvy Le Plumes and Tombows applied with a water brush.

The colour seemed a little flat once dried so I added some yellow Stickles which really made a difference.

The tree card.........so quick and easy. Cricut Christmas Noel cartridge, gold and green glitter card and a few gems..............did I say I love this cartridge? Well I am saying it again.......lol!!!

More Cricut cards tomorrow night.

Suze at Stamp In Style and Cut It Cute has been kind enough to give me an award but I can't get the picture to show in my post. I'm getting a bit frustrated with it so am going to leave it for now and try again tomorrow.

Did you get SNOW today? We got some up at Ashby at around 3pm. I didn't get too excited though as there was no chance of it settling after it raining all day. It was soooo pretty though:))

I can't wait for the weekend. I have a bucket load of new stamps just itching to be inked up and played with..........all in the name of doing samples for the shop you understand........lol!!! How fab it is to have work as excuse for buying new stamps.

Bye for now and thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Found The Stick Thingy!!!

You won't believe it but I found the computer stick thing in the pocket of a pair of trousers I wear for working in...........just as they were about to go in the washing machine this morning.......phew!!!
So here is one of the cards I have made recently.
The background has been stamped using a set of borders by Melissa Frances. I set them out on a spare Cuttlebug plate as I didn't have an acrylic block big enough to take them all.
The main image from Creative Expressions has been stamped in Versafine and then embossed with Ranger Polysparkle embossing powder. I then shaded it in using an ordinary pencil.
The borders were glitzed with a touch of Stickles in silver.

I've had quite a productive weekend this weekend for a change. I'm getting all the Christmas stock together to go down to the local shop tomorrow and making a few cards with the new Cricut Christmas cartridge which Deb gave me.
I've even had DD cutting and assembling embellishments and she has really enjoyed herself.
I was getting along quite nicely this morning, DH was cooking the dinner and then DS phoned to say that his headlight bulb had gone could his Dad see to it for him as he was at work. So poor hubby has been running about and I had to take over the cooking.

I'd better go and make sure I am not burning anything......lol!!!

Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Busy Week Again!!!

Another busy week both at the shop and at home. I do have some pics to post but I have gone and lost my gig stick thing that I transfer stuff on from my work computer upstairs to the internet computer downstairs.........what a plank!!!
Mind you if you could see the state of my room........you could lose an entire country in there at the moment.....lol!!!

Deb gave me an early Christmas present this week..........a new Christmas cartridge for my Cricut. Oh it is soooooo gorgeous. Beautiful reindeer and angels, a village scene, a stunning swirly tree and loads more on it. Had to have a little play with it......well wouldn't you.....lol!!!

Got to go and have another look for this stick thing as it's driving me nuts wondering where it is.

Bye for now
Sheila-x-

Country Style Snowman!!!

This is another set of stamps from Creative Expressions. How cute is that snowman?
This card is more of a 'one off' than something I would make a few of as I have done lots of layering and cutting out. It is definitely not a workshop card either.......not only would I get lynched for all the cutting out but it would take so long we would have to have a sleepover......lol!!!
The papers are Basic Grey and they have been used both as a background and also for stamping on to create his clothes and the row of mittens.
The sentiment which is included in the set has been stamped in black and outlined in white gel pen.
Lots more stamps in the set for me to play with but for now I have to go and tidy up my mess and get prepared for work tomorrow.........dreaded ironing.......yuck!!!



I haven't used my Cricut much lately but yesterday I was very inspired by one of the ladies who came to the monthly crop at the shop. Not everyone does scrapbooking and she was making some absolutely gorgeous cards with cuts from her Cricut. So I have had mine out today and made a few embellishments which I am chuffed to bits with and I'm sure that they will appear on some cards very soon.



The iron is calling so I had best be off.
Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Behind.......Again!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts again this week but I have been a bit busy what with class prep and having to work at the shop yesterday too.
I do have a couple of things done which I need to takes pics of and will post later today..........just catching up with the laundry at the moment.
Meanwhile I will leave you with a link to a range of papers Deb and I were introduced to by a rep on Thursday. I had not heard of them before and I can't wait to get my hands on the ones Deb ordered. LOOKIE HERE and believe me you will need tissues for the droooooool!!!
Back later
Sheila-x-

Rockin' Robins!!!

These robin stamps from Creative Expressions make me smile so much. I just love them.
I also love that they are such simple images and need nothing more than a little pencil and Gamsol to bring them to life.
Who does the second one from the left remind you of? Well...I call him JT as he reminds me of John Travolta dancing to Staying Alive...lol!!!
The set has four robins, two christmas greetings and three pieces of holly which make fab borders and corners.
This is going to be a favourite set for quite a while methinks.

It's been quite busy at the shop today even though the weather was pretty bad up until just after lunch time. Just about got tomorrow's class stuff ready before I left thank goodness as it is quite a big one. I always feel better coming home knowing that we won't have to rush in the morning.
I'm going to treat myself to half an hour of blog hopping while tea cooks then I'm off up to my nest in the attic to do some stamping.
See you soon
Thanks for dropping by today.
Sheila-x-