Christmas No 24!!!

Well, my last Christmas card for 2012.
Wreath-Cricut December 25th
Paper-Basic Grey
Flowers-Punch
Pearls-MeiFlower
I know 24 designs doesn't seem like much but they are made in multiples of 6 or 12 and using different papers within each design.
My Christmas paper stash is at an all time low now....which was what I was aiming for. At the times of their release I used to go bonkers for the Basic Grey Christmas collections and I had loads of it. Now I doubt if I could make a card with more than one paper from each collection so I think it's time to clear out what's left into the paper bags I make up for the car boot sale and start again next year with new papers.
I still don't feel much in the mood for Christmas but I'm sure it will come when I go to see Ruby in her nativity play later in the month.
Also, there is still Winter Solstice to read as one of the books we got from Tesco did turn out to be rather good so I did finish it.
DD and I have watched Miracle On 34th Street tonight as I needed a night off after a full on day with Doodle Bird but even that didn't bring on the festive spirit. Having said that though I did keep drifting off so I probably missed half of it.....lol!!!
Another busy day tomorrow with Ruby here until about 2pm and then out comes the sewing machine for a few hours before Mr Manic gets home as I have all the stuff now for Ruby's costume.
Thanks for visiting today.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 23!!!

 

Another Cricut card. This time I have used Doodlecharms as the card is for a little boy and it has some very cute stuff on for kids cards.

Paper is Dovecraft Basics.

Holly is a punch and the berries are some dome shaped stickers from Papermania.

Letters are cut using the Winter Woodland cartridge.

I popped down to the cottage this morning to measure up for the curtains. Miss Doodle was in a fabulous mood and we had a fun half an hour before we had to leave. I had to borrow her daddys' tape measure so while we had it out we measured Ruby to see how tall she is. At two years and nine months she measures three feet and five inches. I think she is going to be a tall girl......not surprising as daddy is well over six feet and mummy is about five feet ten or so.

Last night I came over all DG (domestic goddess) and decided to try a recipe I had seen on Barefoot Contessa for Ultimate Ginger Cookies. Well I have to say that they are without doubt the most disgusting things I have ever tasted. I think the problem is the amount of cinnamon that's added.....2tsp. It is so overpowering. They would be nicer with it left out altogether I think so I may try it again sometime. Mr Manic doesn't seem to mind them though.

I'm so cold that I think I will have to go and have a hot shower. I don't think I have been warm all day despite a wonderful lunch cooked by hubby and a fire roaring up the chimney.

Last Christmas card post tomorrow so see you then.

Tara for now.

Sheila-x-

Christmas No 22!!!

I think I'm getting near the end of my Christmas card designs for this year now. There may be a couple left to post but then I shall be on to other things.
This one is just a simple vintage style with an image from the Dover Pictura Vintage Christmas Cards collection. The girl has been printed multiple times, cut out and decoupaged.
Snowflakes are....largest and smallest Sizzix and the medium one is a punch.

Nipped out to do a bit of shopping today and it is completely mad out there. I have never seen Byrkley Park so busy. The craft shop was packed as there was a demo going on. Luckily I knew exactly what I wanted and didn't need to browse so I was in and out in no time.
Back home now and we are just about to light the fire and snuggle down for the rest of the day....me in the workroom and Mr Manic in front of the telly. Poor DD has to work a nightshift tonight so there will be no snuggling for her.
Tomorrow I am off down to the cottage to measure up for some door curtains to try and eliminate some of the draughts for DS and family so the rest of the day will probably be spent sewing.
For now I have to try and find space for all the new cardstock that arrived today so I had best get to it.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 21!!!

 My card today is another using the December 25th Cricut cartridge. I have also used a Tim Holtz embossing folder, a Martha Stewart punch and a Paper Shapers punch.

I'm a bit later blogging today as I had housey jobs and shopping to do today. Not that I was much in the mood for either after a day with Miss Doodle poorly yesterday. The poor little mite had a bad tummy. She cried all day long and wouldn't let me out of her sight even to cook the tea so we had to have an' open the cupboard and see what falls out' kind of tea.
Today she is absolutely fine came for a flying visit at lunchtime, left a mess and went again.......lol..........that's our Ruby.
My new Cricut cartridge arrived today along with a Sizzix die and some Distress Stains. Tomorrow I am expecting a delivery of cardstock and there are a few other things on order that should arrive next week. I shall be all set then for cracking on with the Valentine's, Mother's Day, Easter cards and everyday cards.
Rightio.......I am off for a shower and then I shall snuggle up in my new dressing gown and carry on with a bit more preparation work while I watch something on the computer.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-
 

Christmas No 20!!!

For my card today I have used the I Love Cocoa and Be Merry collections from Sweet Shoppe.
The papers, mug and tag are from I Love Cocoa and the candy cane is from  Be Merry.
Snowflakes are Marianne.
The cream on the cocoa has been embellished with Puffy Stuff sprinkled with glitter.
The lady I made it for was thrilled with it.

Miss Doodle is napping so I have just been doing a bit of online crafty shopping. Another Cricut cartridge, a Sizzix die and a couple of Distress Stains and maybe more to come.....depending on how long she sleeps for. She arrived in a bit of a mood this morning so I think she may nap for a while.
Thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 19!!!

This card is one of the special orders I had in.
I've used the Tim Holtz Caged Bird die, a Marianne Pine Branch die and a McGill foliage punch.
Sentiment is Woodware and the paper is Kanban.

Well we have sunshine today and I can see quite a bit of blue sky out there. It's still pretty chilly though so I think I'll light the fire when I have done my house jobs and then I can be all snuggly in my workroom later on.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 18!!!

My card for today is made using up more bits so that they don't have to be stored until next year.
The snowflakes have been punched out for about 3 years but they are all used up now.
The papers are offcuts from a My Minds Eye stack and the deer of course is a Tim Holtz one.
The circle I stamped the greeting on is a Paintbox Poppets one and the greeting itself is from a Woodware set.

Miss Doodle has gone for the day and dinner is over and done with as I had to cook early so that DS had meals to take home. There's just me to feed when I feel like it......I don't like Toad In The Hole which is what everyone else has had so I shall have egg on toast or something later.
Ruby isn't here tomorrow so now I have lots of playtime to rack up some cards for the shop.....yay!!!
Bye for now.....and thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 17!!!

A quick and easy card to use up some leftover bits of black glitter card and the beautiful silver card.
The paper is Pink Petticoat.
Snowflakes are Marianne and an unknown punch.

I have a few more Christmas cards to post but I am now officially done with Christmas for this year. Tonight I need to start a major cardmaking spree to build up stocks of everyday cards ready for when the Christmas cards come out of the shop at the end of next month.

So much for the upstairs playroom....lol!!! We've been up there for all of five minutes this morning and dragged down half the stuff that was up there as Doodle wanted to be downstairs. The kitchen and lounge look like a hurricane has blown through so I still get to have an hour cleaning up after she has gone tonight.
Ah well I suppose it keeps me out of mischief.
I'm off for a well earned cuppa before she wakes up from her nap.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 16!!!

One more for the Cricut Winter Woodland folder.
Super cute snowman done in sort of folky type colours.
I think the snowflake I used to stamp with was a Papermania one...not 100% sure on that though.
Paper is Dovecraft.

I've not got on in the craft room as much as I would have liked to today as I had to spend the morning tidying up bags and boxes of stuff we'd bought down from the spare room to be distibuted to it's rightful place. Boy did that take an age or what? This house is not overblessed with storage space but I think I nailed it in the end.....I just daren't open certain cupboards.......lol!!!
The big tidy up was in honour of Miss Doodle and her mummy who popped round for dinner. They didn't stay too long though as Ruby is going through a bit of a phase at the moment of being frightened of things. It started off with fireworks when we had a little bonfire party on November 5th. She was terrified and I had to bring her inside and put a film on so that she couldn't hear them. Now, as well fireworks, she is frightened of puddles, spiders, Christmas trees and the initial lighting of the fire when the sticks crackle. I didn't know about that and lit the fire after lunch and she started crying and wanted to go home. Poor little sausage. I hope it's a phase that passes quickly.

Well while the chilli is for tea tomorrow is bubbling away I am off for a shower and then I won't be long out of bed as Ruby will be here all day tomorrow so I shall need to be up early.
Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-
 

Christmas No15!!!

Another simple card today. I must admit that I am running out of patience with Christmas cards now. Just have a couple more to make.
Anyhoo this one is made using the card feature on Winter Wonderland but I removed the back panel of the card and layered the front onto silver card with a circle die cut from the middle then a bit of a Blue Peter moment with some sticky backed glittery plastic for the background.
I've done quite a few of these in various colours as they were just so quick and easy.......and since taking the pics I did decide to add a greeting.

Well the spare room is now mucked out and extremely tidy. DD and I had just about finished up there when DDIL arrived for a visit with Doodle Bird who fetched all the toys out and made a right old mess. We had to set to and tidy up again after she had gone.
Just need to get some curtains up in there now and switch the radiator back on and it will be all nice and toasty for our play times.
The weather has turned very nasty here.....very windy and thrashing down with rain......so after tea it will be a hot shower and snuggly pj's I think.
Hope you're keeping warm where you are.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 14!!!

Just a very simple card using the Tim Holtz wreath die and die cut letters.
I'm nearly done with Christmas cards now thank goodness and am looking forward to a change in colours. Mind you with Valentine's Day not far off the red will be staying where I can get at it.
The workroom is a bit of a disaster area tonight so I shall go and get it tidied up before I start on anything else.
Tara for now.....thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 13!!!

Another Cricut card. This time using the Theresa Collins December 25th cartridge.
Holly berries are Papermania and I used a fern punch for the foliage.

Gawd I am aching today. Yesterday I got the ceiling done. Our lounge isn't huge but it felt like acres. Once that was done I went straight into laying the new flooring in the kitchen which Mr Manic went and picked up while I was painting. The cooker and washing machine had to be taken out while I laid the floor so they couldn't go back without a good scrub round the sides and back. A quick tea from the chip shop and then I had to clean up the kitchen. I think I finally managed to sit down at about 9pm. I did have helpers during the day but it's funny how quickly they disappear when the word cleaning is mentioned.....lol!!!
Today I am taking it easy and doing some crafting. There are other jobs want doing but if I start chucking myself about for a second full day I just know I will struggle to walk tomorrow.
DD has been called in to work tonight and then when she gets up tomorrow we are going to tackle the pit that is called the spare bedroom, get it all organised and then I can get a bed to put in it for Miss Doodle and then she can also play up there which will hopefully keep my lounge, kitchen and back room a bit tidier when she is here.
Right......I will love you and leave you.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-
 

Christmas No 12!!!

Just a quickie post this morning as I must get the ceiling done today.
Today my card has been made using a vintage image from my Vintage Christmas cards collection by Dover Pictura.
Simply layered onto silver card and embellished with snowflakes (Cricut) and large blue pearls.
The border of the teal card has been punched with an EK punch called Swiss Cheese.
Right.....I had best go and get my painting clothes on.....oh joy....lol!!!
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 11!!!

My card for today is another one using the Winter Woodland Cricut cartridge.
The background has been simply stamped using the Papermania Home For Christmas six inch background stamp and Black Cherry StaZon.
The snowflake is a Marianne die embellished with a large red gem.
I think this is my favourite card this year.
Thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 10!!!

I love this Stampendous stamp so much!!!
Here I have stamped it onto smooth white card then used a very nifty trick to get the centre coloured without masking or having to stamp two images.
......and here is how I did it.......
Take a sheet of white fun foam and stamp two images in black StaZon. Allow to dry for a couple of minutes and then cut out the centre ovals around the second line in. Glue the two ovals together, printed sides facing and voila......the perfect stamp to add colour to the centre of the image.
The poinsettia is Tim Holtz Tattered Poinsettia.
Paper is Basic Grey.
I added a bit of twinkle with a blue glue pen and loose glitter.

It's been a fab day today here at Manic Towers although a tad cold.
I woke up to quite a heavy frost this morning which was very pretty but a bit nipsy on my toes.
The laundry is under control and I have done crafting and tidying so I am a happy bunny today.
Tomorrow I have a ceiling to paint which is one of the week off jobs I had forgotten about. Not looking forward to that with Mr Manic under my feet.....lol!!!
For now though I have to go and cook a meal. Having forgotten to eat lunch.....I shall be ready for it when it's done.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 9!!!

Today I have used my new Winter Woodland Cricut cartridge to cut the skates and the snowflakes.
The paper is Basic Grey and the image.....sorry I can't remember where it came from and it looks like I have lost it now after an over enthusiastic deleting session. If anyone knows where I can get hold of it again I'd love to know.
Sentiment is Papermania.

Today I have spent an obscene amount of time making embellishments for just one card. It is a special order but blimey it ain't going to make me rich that's for sure.
The order for seventy cards is done, dusted and delivered and now I just have to finish off the eight specials for the same customer. I was waiting until I had been to the NEC and bought some new stuff as I was really low on stocks of everything Christmas.
Tomorrow I have housey jobs to do but luckily it's mostly laundry so while it's swishing around I can be crafting and I'm not cooking a proper Sunday lunch as it's a pain up the proverbial with DD needing feeding at 5pm and then Mr Manic at 7pm who doesn't like roast potatoes warmed up so they have to be done fresh. I'm not in the mood for being stuck in the kitchen 'til nearly bedtime so I put me foot down and said that we will have our roast on Monday when we are all here to eat at the same time.
I'm going to have to fetch my Winter Solstice down to read I think. These new Christmas books just aren't doing it for me at all I'm afraid.
Right well I am in the mood for a milky coffee......naughty....but very nice.....so I will go and make myself one.
Tara for now.
Sheila-x-
 

Christmas No 8!!!

Today's card uses another paper printed from a Sweet Shoppe collection.....Christmas Past if I remember correctly.
The ornament is Spellbinders which has been embossed and glittered.
I'm just wondering whether to add some gems to the oval or a small snowflake.......can't make my mind up as I like it just as it is.
After a slow start yesterday with oversleeping I was up early this morning. I have tea sorted out and have done three loads of laundry so now have the afternoon free to be in the workroom. I shall have to have a good tidy up later as Doodle Bird and her mummy are coming for lunch tomorrow and Doodle does like getting her hands on my stuff. There are plans for keeping her occupied though. We are going to make a no sew tutu for her dressing up box. I got some lovely bright netting from Derby market last week so we'll see how it goes.
OK then......back to the Christmas cards.
Thanks for dropping by.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 7!!!

The Tattered Poinsettia die has to be the best die ever released....it is just gorgeous.
For this card I have cut it from two Basic Grey distressed papers.
Background paper is also Basic Grey.
The poinsettia is mounted onto a circle (stamped with a Kaisercraft text stamp and StaZon-Olive Green) and a Sizzix Scallop Lace circle.
Had a lovely couple of hours out yesterday with Ruby and London grandma looking at Christmas decorations.....which I could do all day long and not get bored. This year I am finally changing the colour theme for our tree at home from the red and gold of the last thirty odd years to teal and silver. I am not buying all new baubles though. DD and I are going to have a bauble altering day using silver spray and silver leaf to create some new ones. We have bought some in teal though.
Need to do a bit of catching up on jobs now as I overslept this morning which is quite unusual for me. First job is to clean up the breakfast mess Mr Manic left this morning and then I have to make some Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffins.
Thanks for your visit.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 6!!!

Another card at last.
Angel stamp is from Stampendous.
Greeting is from Inkadinkado.
Embellished with feathers and gems from stash.
Paper is printed from a Sweet Shoppe kit called Jack Frost.
I stamped the angel in Pearlescent Sky Blue Brilliance and embossed with clear EP then after cutting out I sprayed it with iridescent glitter spray.
The paper was printed onto pearlised white paper and looks stunning. I used a the text setting on my Epson printer as I didn't want the colour to be too strong.

Well after a morning pottering about in the peace and quiet I am off out for afternoon tea later. DD and I are picking up Doodle Bird and London grandma for a trip up to Byrkley for a couple of hours.
I have missed my little angel so much this week.

Very excited to read in our local paper that this shop is opening in a village near to us. I hope it opens before Christmas.
Thanks for dropping by today.
Sheila-x-

Christmas No 5!!!

Still plodding away at the Christmas cards.
I do apologise for the picture. I have only just taken it and the light is pretty bad in here.
Dies used-:
Tree-Marianne
Deer-Sizzix
Star-Cricut
Paper is Paper Adventures....I think and the berries have been done with a Viva Gloss Gel pen.
Not too sure where the greeting was from as I have them for years. It was great to get some of them used as the card is pearlised and very hard to match to anything I have. I think it looks fab on this card.
I've had quite a busy day. Backwards and forwards from the kitchen to the workroom, cooking then cardmaking.
Today was ferret in the fridge day to use some excess veg. I found carrots, courgettes, celery, cherry tomatoes and some brocolli to which I added onion, garlic and chilli flakes. Simmered all of that together with some passata and stock and then pureed it before adding a couple of cans of Heinz Five Beans to make Chilli Bean Soup. I shouldn't say it myself but it is absolutely gorgeous. I did go a bit mad with the chilli flakes so added a little creme fraiche to cool it down a bit.
I also made some muffins which I have probably only ever made once before but they seem to have gone down well with the hungry hordes.
Miss Doodle will be here tomorrow. I haven't seen her for four days as she has been having a busy weekend at home. I've missed her so much and am so ready for some kisses and cuddles.......if she is in the mood.
Right-io.......back to the cardmaking for a couple of hours.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sheila-x-