Sheika's Palace

Sweet Baby Girl

2012-02-28T09:24:00.002+03:00

This card was done to go along with a baby present for an ex-colleague. For the mats I used downloaded papers from Funky Hand's Baby Papers and Tags set. The image was a coloured digistamp from Pink Gem Design called Bathtime Baby. I cropped the sentiment from one of the pages from Funky Hand's set. Finished it off with some ribbon and pearls from my stash.

Thanks for popping by.

Patriotic Birthday

2012-02-28T09:08:00.004+03:00

Have been absent for a wee while as I had an extended stay in Scotland after the christmas holidays and since I have got back to the sun, been re-arranging my craft area. Didn't realise how much stash I had!!!

Anyway got a birthday coming up, for a good friend of ours, who is very patriotic about Britain, so when I saw new My Craft Studio range - Jewel Britannia - I knew it would fit the bill.

Thanks for popping by.

Ribbon Candy - but hurry

2012-02-18T08:32:00.003+03:00

Jak over at Jak Heath.com has done it again. Got some fabulous candy to give away - some gorgeous ribbon and buttons from Fabulous Ribbons. To be in with a chance of winning Jak's candy, pop over to Fabulous Ribbons and sign up for the newsletter and then pop back to Jak's and leave your name on her link and leave a wee comment.

What does the candy look like, well here's a wee glimpse. Hope I am lucky.

Thanks for popping by.

Letraset Metallic Markers Competition

2011-12-08T21:20:00.003+03:00

Letraset is running a wee competition for Metallic Markers. They got a couple of sets on offer. So why not pop over to see them to be in with a chance of winning.

Here's what you could win

Thanks for popping by.

Ribbon Carousel Candy

2011-11-21T20:14:00.002+03:00

Jak, an inspiration to many a crafter, has some fab seasonal candy on offer, ribbons from Ribbon Carousel. Hope some of you will have a go on the carousal and let Jak what you think of what they have to offer.

Thanks for popping by.

Christmas Candy

2011-11-12T07:55:00.004+03:00

Why not pop over to visit Janet at Pink Gem and become a follower and become eligible to some lovely christmas candy.

But better hurry as you have to join in by 12 noon (UK time) on the 16th of November to be in with a chance.

Thanks for popping by.

Jak's Blog Candy

2011-10-18T04:27:00.004+03:00

Jak Heath is offering a wonderful bit of candy - a must for all crafters - an LED Lamp which also doubles up as a flash light.

Click here to find out all about this essential bit of kit.

Got everything crossed that my name is pulled out of the hat.

Thanks for popping by.

The Wedding

2011-09-24T08:36:00.005+03:00

After 18 months of planning, Sarah and Mikey's big arrived on a lovely dry 6th of August. It was an early start for the bride and her entourage with Bruce, the hairdresser, arriving at 8.30am to begin the preparation.

The final touches

Followed by Debbie, make up and Susan, photographer. Although the house was full of people everything went smoothly and we were all ready by 12.45pm.

Ready, just to put on the dresses

Just about ready to go

Groom, Best Man and Ushers arriving at church

Sarah, true to her word, wasn't late in arriving at the church, if anything a few minutes early. Sarah and her dad, were standing ready to walk down the aisle and Stephen, the minister, said 'sorry, it's only 1.28pm and you'll have to wait till 1.30pm'.

You're early!!!!!

Here Comes The Bride

I was very good and managed not to shed a tear as I watched her coming down the aisle on her dad's arm, something I haven't managed yet when I watch the video of the day. Even in the largish church that we were in, surrounded by over a 100 family and friends the wedding service felt very intimate and personal.

Once the formal part of the day was done, we headed off to the Community Park in Strichen - the village where Sarah and Mikey have set up home - for some photos.

The Bridal Party

Mr & Mrs Duncan

Once that was over it was over to the hotel, for the reception. I have to say that the hotel staff couldn't have been any more professional and helpful. Everything was spot on. Although we were running slightly late before the meal began, by the time it was finished we were back on schedule without feeling that we had been rushed through the meal.

Thanks for popping by.

Fab Candy

2011-09-10T18:19:00.004+03:00

My good friend, Pinklilacs (aka Linda J), has on offer some fab candy. Why don't you pop over and put your name in the hat.

Ooops nearly forgot to give the directions - here they are - and this is what is on offer

Thanks for popping by.

Just Chillin'

2011-09-07T14:42:00.004+03:00

Am getting back into the groove on the card making front, which is great as I have a few birthdays coming up both at home in the UK and here in Bahrain. The next one on my calendar is my eldest daughter's birthday.

Just recently she has been really busy both on the work and home fronts. On the work front travelling around West Africa. The home front is a bit harder for me as she is packing up her flat to head away to Canada for year.

What a year for me of family moving on. Tara going to Canada and Sarah getting married and moving into her new home.

Going back to Tara's card, as I said she has been busy so I thought this imagine was just what she should be doing on her birthday, putting her feet up and chilling.

Thanks for popping by.

School Birthday

2011-09-06T17:45:00.005+03:00

Still got some photos of the wedding to put up but thought I would give you a break from the wedding chatter.

After the excitement of the wedding it was back to work for me on Sunday and it was not long before we have a school birthday. As usual I do a card for the staff birthdays and we celebrate with a wee bit of cake. So the first birthday of the new school is Shella.

Happy Birthday Shella

Thanks for popping by.

Hen Party - Version 2 and Blackening

2011-09-06T17:32:00.004+03:00

There are many wedding traditions, some universal and some local. A North East of Scotland tradition is for the Bride and Groom to be 'Blackened'. When a bride or groom is blackened, it is a messy business, so no best outfits on for this event!!!!

Having stocked up on heaps of supermarket own brands of baked beans, spaghetti, soup, curry sauce, porridge oats, boiled up copious amounts of spaghetti and rice and various similar edibles, the girls got mixing. Having captured the bride, who submitted to being gunged without a struggle the blackening began. Not only does the bride get covered in the edibile goodies, the girls end up similarly covered. The next stage is to parade the bride around the town with her entourage making as much noise as possible.

The Hen Party - Verison 2 was a very subdued affair compared to the blackening.

Don't we scrub up well!!!

Linda and Fiona

Thanks for popping by.

Hen Party - Version 1

2011-09-06T17:19:00.003+03:00

As part of the build up to the wedding, there were a couple of girlie events to take part in. The first was the May Day weekend. Some of you might remember it for another reason - William and Catherine's big day.

Kate and Will (aka Sarah and Mikey)

We too had our own wedding celebration to attend - Sarah's away hen party at Inverness. We had a great weekend, with good company and fantastic weather. We were all suitably attired in our best wedding outfits to enjoy the Will and Kate's wedding.

Louise, Emma, Sarah, Kelly-Ann

Thanks for popping by.

Why I have been AWOL

2011-08-30T17:07:00.008+03:00

Hi all.

Just thought I would let you know that I am still in the land of the living, having put in an odd appearance early on in the year and been total missing for the last couple of months. The reason for my absence was that I had a wedding to plan.

It was quite a feat as I was over here in Bahrain and the wedding was taking place back home in Scotland. Thank goodness for the internet and email but there were quite a few things that I couldn't do online so it meant a trips home anytime the school had holidays.

Apart from booking everything and making sure that everyone on the bride's side of the bridal party was kitted out was to make all the wedding stationery.

Sarah knew exactly what style and colour of wedding stationery that she wanted - the design simple with the colours being something away from the traditional wedding colours. One thing she wanted was that the stationery didn't give any hint as to what her dress would be like or the style and colour of her bridesmaid. And I have to admit we managed it as everyone thought the bridesmaid would be in either black, silver or grey.

Save the Date

Wedding Invitation

Order of Service

Placecards & Menus

Thank You Card

To follow the build up to the wedding and the wedding itself.

Thanks for popping by.

Add Some Sparkle & Letraset Giveaway

2011-05-11T05:55:00.003+03:00

Jak, an inspiration to many a crafter, has some fab candy to give away - goodies from Add Some Sparkle and Letraset.

The chance to win finishes at midnight (UK time) on Saturday 14th.

Thanks for popping by.

Hen Party - Part 1

2011-05-08T17:43:00.003+03:00

Sarah Hen Party - Party 1 took place over the May Day weekend with a group of us heading up to lodges on the banks of Loch Ness. Unfortunately the famous or should it be infamous 'Nessie' didn't put in appearance. But here was the view from our lodge.

With our first day away being the day of another wedding, the night of the celebrations were 'We are going to a wedding and put you best gladrags on!!!'. Some of the guests, hehe.

And not to be out done the Mother of the Bride!!!!!

A royal contingent managed to sneak away for the party in London, however my camera seemed to be playing up and taking double images !!!!!

Thanks for popping by.

Happy Birthday - Jenny

2011-05-08T17:05:00.003+03:00

Having Sarah's Hen Party - Part 1, although I have to admit it did take me a few days to come to myself. But had a wonderful time, more of which in a later post. The first order of the day when I got back to work was to make a card for Jenny whose birthday it is this week.

Cardstock

Lasting Impressions -

Sugar Rush

Grasshopper Pie

Banana Pie

Die

Sizzix - Big Die - Heart Flower

Nestabilities

Scalloped Square

Gems

From my stash

Thanks for popping by.

Birthday Bag!

2011-04-20T17:30:00.004+03:00

Rushing about like a headless chicken just now, trying to get everything organised before I head home to bonnie Scotland on Friday for Sarah's Hen Party - Part 1. There was one last card I had to do for the May Birthdays at home. This time it is for the wedding photographer, Susan, who is also a family friend.

Digistamp

Digistamp Boutique - Handbag 3

Paper and Cardstock

BoBunny - Alissa range

Copic & Promarkers

Lime Green (G21)

Pastel Yellow

Rose Pink

Cocktail Pink

Ivory

Nestabilities

Blossom

Gems

From my stash

Thanks for popping by.

Have a Whale of a Birthday!!!

2011-04-15T20:10:00.004+03:00

This one is for my favourite BIL (brother-in-law - my only one!) birthday which also happens whilst I am at home for the Hen Party.

Digistamp & Sentiment

Whales Wishes by Studio 313

which was part of Set 1 of Help for Kate

Paper & Card

Masculine set by Dovecraft

Imaginisce - Go For Baroque - Blue Blooded

Nestabilites

Labels 4

Copic & Promarkers

Pale Pink (RV10)

Cool Grey 3 (C3)

Cool Grey 1 and 3

Pastel Blue

Buttons

From my stash.

Distressing

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Faded Jeans

Thanks for popping by.

Hoppy Birthday

2011-04-15T19:50:00.005+03:00

As I am heading home to Scotland at the end of next week for Sarah's Hen Party, I am trying to get ahead of myself on the card front. This one is for Sarah's future FIL (father-in-law), whose birthday is whilst I am at home.

Digistamp

Bo Billy Bunny by Prairie Fairy

Cardstock and Paper

Charcoal Prints by Dovecraft

Nestabilities

Labels 11

Copic

Cool Grey 1, 3 and 5 (C1, C3 and C5)

Pale Pink (RV10)

Brads

From my stash

Sentiment

Printed off using Pink Gem's Dotty font.

Thanks for popping by.

Happy Birthday

2011-04-15T12:11:00.004+03:00

This is one is for one of the girls that I work with at school. Her birthday isn't till the end of the month, but we are going to celebrate it a week early as I will be on my way to Sarah's Hen Party.

Cardstock -

BoBunny Ella Dot & Ella Butter Blossom

Scraps from my stash

Ribbon & Gems -

from my stash

Sentiment -

peel off coloured green.

Thanks for popping by.

Olivia looking for a new home

2011-04-15T05:26:00.003+03:00

Olivia is looking for a new home!

If you would like to give her a new home, nipped over to Digistamp Boutique and put your name on the list before 6pm (UK time) on the 30th of April to be in with a chance of Olivia becoming the newest member of your family.

Thanks for popping by.

Beer Monster!!!!

2011-04-12T16:44:00.007+03:00

Today's effort is for a family friend, who has been know to enjoy a couple of pints!!!

Stamp - Pink Gem Design Beer Monster

Promarkers & Copics

Vanilla, Ivory, Rose Pink, Blossom and Tan

G21 - Lime Green

Papers - WS Designs Card Mates 05 Beer

BoBunny Gingerbread Dot

Gems - from my stash

Nestabilities - Labels 11

Distressing - Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tea Dye

Thanks for popping by.

Next Patient, Please!

2011-04-11T16:50:00.003+03:00

This one is my daughter, Sarah, who starts a new job next Monday as a Practice Nurse in our local doctor's surgery. She was so chuffed to get the job as it means no more nightshifts, no more weekend shifts and no more commuting an hour each way to and from work. Only has to drive 8 miles each way.

Decoupage - Jolly Nation - Nurse Girl

Cardstock - BoBunny Sweetie Pie Squeeze

From my stash - Gems

Thanks for popping by.

Happy Mothers Day

2011-04-02T09:20:00.005+03:00

This cards was a last minute quickie card I was asked to make by one of the girls at work for her mother-in-law

Digistamp - Digistamp Boutique Doodle Flower 1

Cardstock - BoBunny Petal Pushers Doodles and

Lasting Impressions - Sunflower Collection

Promakers -

Tulip Yellow, Gold, Pear Green, Rose Pink and Blossom

Gems - from my stash

Nestabilities used - Blossom

Challenges - Cropstop - Shine

Thanks for popping by.

I'm sew so happy we friends

2011-04-01T09:02:00.006+03:00

This one is winging its way over the causeway to Saudi to one of my BFF's Annie. As she lovely to sew, espcially quilting, I thought this digistamp was just perfect for her card. It is from a collection made up to raise funds to a fellow crafter's battle cancer. There are two sets that you can buy. This image is from Set 1. If you are interested in either of the sets pop over to Help for Katie.

Digistamp - Help For Katie Set 1

Cardstock - BoBunny Petal Pushers - Doodles

Promarkers

Flowers, Brads and Gems - from my stash.

Thanks for popping by.

Last week's creations

2011-03-25T17:28:00.007+03:00

This week, managed to get out of Awail and had a wee jaunt over to my favourite craft shop on the island. The first two cards are made using some of the goodies that I bought. The first card is for a friends anniversary.

Cardstock - BoBunny Crazy Love

Ribbon - from stash

The second for a family friend's birthday.

Flowers - Basicgrey's Get Your Shine On epoxy stickers

Mat - from stash

The final card was for a new baby. Used some freebies that I got a while back.

Thanks for popping by.

A Square Roundabout!!!!!!!

2011-03-24T21:12:00.003+03:00

A wee update on yesterday's post on the demolition of a famous Bahrainin landmark - The Pearl Roundabout, which during the recent troubles and protests was referred to by the international media as Pearl Square.

A local resident came up with this wee ditty about the phenomemon of a square roundabout.

Thanks for popping by.

Pearl Roundabout

2011-03-23T17:38:00.003+03:00

Those of you who pop by to visit me, know that I live in Bahrain and also know that it has been in the news recently. Things have been a bit fraught with protests focusing on the landmark, locally known as the Pearl Roundabout. Or as the world media called it 'Pearl Square'

However the Pearl Roundabout is no more. Sorry the 'after' photo isn't that clear but it was taken as I passed by on the highway yesterday.

Thanks for popping by.

What Spellchecker did they use!!!!!

2011-03-12T08:50:00.004+03:00

Got a pack of laminating pouches at work and couldn't believe the warning on the side of the pack. I know my grammer isn't always perfect but all I could do was shake my head in disbelieve!!!!!

Thanks for popping by.

Candy - Build A Blossom

2011-03-06T17:54:00.003+03:00

Jak Heath, an inspirational crafter and designer, has on offer some fab candy - 2 sets of her latest range - Build A Blossom.

Build A Blossom - Set 1

Build A Blossom - Set 2

Not only is Jak giving away both sets she is including all the tools needed to make the blossoms.

To be eligible for the candy pop over to Jak's and leave a comment and add it to your blog, but do it before midnight on Wednesday 9th of March.

Thanks for popping by.

This week's efforts

2011-02-22T15:29:00.004+03:00

As many of you might know, I stay in Bahrain and just now we are in the middle of a wave of anti-government protests. We are safe, well away from the main protest areas. However the school that I work is quite near the hospital that was at the centre of the focus last weekend. As a result we have had a few extra days holidays, but back to work tomorrow :(

Any what have I been doing with all this free time, card making of course. The first card is for my neighbours in Awali who are retiring. Will miss them heaps, but at least will see them at Sarah's wedding in August.

The second card is for Sarah's future mother-in-law. The decoupage was pre-cut which I layered up with silicone and foam pads. Mats were made using circle nestabilities - plain circle and crown circles. Finishing off with a happy birthday peel off.

The final card is for my Dad, who happens to share the same birthday as Sarah's future MIL. For this one I took out my Nested Owls nestabilities and cut an owl aperture. Then cut a larger owl aperture on a plain coloured mat. Distressing both the mat and card with Distress Ink - Brushed Corduroy. Stamped a couple of owls - BoBunny falling for you- and colouring them with a combination of Copics and Promarkets and decoupaging them. Finishing off with a couple of button embellishments.

Thanks for popping by.

Mr Fix It

2011-02-09T20:27:00.004+03:00

This is the final card for just now as I am heading home to chillier climes for a wee break. Well that's I would like, but reality is different. Heading home to do some more organising for my daughter, Sarah's big day in August.

The card will be winging its way over the water between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to a good friend, who is a bit of a Mr Fix It. The decoupage image again came from Crafts U Print and designed by Cheryl Seslar.

Thanks for popping by.

Mama Tone

2011-02-09T20:12:00.004+03:00

This card is from to Lynn that I work with. Lynn is my commuting and gym buddy. She is a bit of a rock chick and is locally know at 'Mama Tone'. Her kids, Gary (guitar and lead vocals) and Gill (the drummer), are members of The Boxtones. So thought this image was quite apt, again it came from Craft U Print, designed by Chris and Steve.

Thanks for popping by.

More School Birthday

2011-02-09T20:02:00.005+03:00

A couple more birthdays at school this week, or should I say on Saturday.

The first one is for Celia. Used a decoupage image from Cheryl Seslar which I found on a great website - Craft U Print. The backing mats were just scraps that I had lying about and border punched one with Fiskars Threading Water.

The second one is for Lynn. Used another decoupage sheet from Craft U Print but this one designed by Rebecca Brindley.

Thanks for popping by.

With sympathy

2011-02-05T08:50:00.003+03:00

This card is for one of the girls at work who lost her grandmother last week. A sympathy card is one of the types of cards that I don't really like having to do. For sympathy cards I prefer go down the simple route.

For this one I chose paper from Papermania Exquisite paper collection, which trimmed down to fit my card. I took another sheet and trimmed it down to 4 squares and rounded off the corners and matted it on a piece of white cardstock again with the corners rounded off. Using the same white cardstock punched out a 2" square rounding off the corners and stamp a 'with sympathy' sentiment. Mounted the two mats using two different thicknesses of foam pads.

Thanks for popping by.

New Home

2011-02-05T08:33:00.004+03:00

One of my son Will's buddies, Susan, and who also happens to be our photographer for Sarah's wedding has just moved into a new home. So here's my card to wish her many years of happiness in her new home.

The image is from Digistamp Boutique's New Home set, coloured with promakers and made into a mat with Nestabilities Labels Ten. Adding some black gems and a printed sentiment. The cardstock on this came from Bo Bunny's Alissa range with the black cardstock being edged with Fiskars Threading Water border punch.

Pop over to Paperdoll Photography to see what Susan come up with. I can only speak from experience to say that a photo session at Paperdoll Photography is a very relaxed affair and I think she captures the essence of who she is photographing. Our session was a silver wedding anniversary present from our kids (photo 2 in images - celebrations).

Haven't entered any challenges or competitions recently, so have entered this one into Digistamp Boutique's February Competition.

Thanks for popping by.

School Birthdays

2011-02-05T08:14:00.006+03:00

Since the New Year there have been a few birthdays at school. The first birthday was Lanie's, followed by Claudette and finally Layla.

For Lanie's card I used a cupcake stamp which are coloured with copics and promakers. The rest of the card was made using bits and pieces that I had lying around.

The image on Claudette's card came from Hero Arts' Four Dolls range and coloured with promarkers. The backing paper is wrapping paper that I bought a few years back but have never got round to use. I mounted the 'chinese' doll on mats of black and embossed gold mirri card using plain and scalloped oval nestabilities and adding a peel off birthday greeting.

The latest birthday is Layla. The image came from Digistamp Boutique's Doodle Flower set and coloured with promakers. The mats were again bits of cardstock that I had lying around. The edges of the white card are soften with Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Spun Sugar. All finished off with a paper flower, gem and peel off greeting.

Have entered Claudette's card into Moving Along With The Times - Red Challenge and Layla's card into Digistamp Boutique's February Challenge.

Thanks for popping by.

Help for Katie

2011-01-12T14:52:00.004+03:00

Where to start with this one. Although 2011 looks like being a happy year for me for Katie it might be such a happy year. I came across her story via Jak Heath, who many of you know is a fabulous crafter and an inspiration to many.

You can read all about Katie here.

Anyway, Jak has got together with some very talented artists/crafters to help put together a package of digital designs that you can get by making a donation of £15 to the 'Help for Katie' cause. As Jak says on her blog what you are getting would cost you a lot more than £15 if you were to buy one of each item individually. As well as getting all the digital designs, each £15 donation will be eligible for a prize draw for a variety of crafting prizes.

I hope some of you out there decide to join me in donating £15 to the 'Help For Katie' cause. One reason why I have no hesitation in donating to this cause is that cancer has touched my family twice. Firstly my darling hubby - Billy - is a survivor - 20 years plus and second, my brother-in-law is currently fighting.

Thanks for popping by.

Happy New Year!!!!!!

2011-01-12T14:30:00.004+03:00

First of all just to want to wish all of you in blogland a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011. And secondly apologies for being awol for a while, what with trying to get ready for St Andrews Night in November, a trip home for wedding preparations before that, then christmas I don't know where the time has gone.

2011 is a bit of a big year for us - our daughter, Sarah, is getting married in August and already the wedding preparations are in full swing. The early parts of 2011 will see me focussing on getting the wedding stationery done. So apologies first of all as until I get the wedding stationery finished, I think card making will have to be on an as and when required basis. The first batch of stationery - Save the Date - was taken home when we headed home for christmas along with the Thank You cards. Now it is working on the invitations.

It's nearly half way through January and I have only made one card - a birthday card for my favourite aunt. My inspiration came from a card I saw in Issue 63 of Papercraft Essentials and used a new technique to me, creating a flower from fabric or fabric paper - a wee tutorial. The card stock I used from 'The All Dressed Up' matstock by DCWV, the flower made from material that I bought a few years ago to do patchwork and quilting with, but never got round to it and a button from my stash.

Thanks for popping by.

Posh Frocks Galore

2010-11-27T08:56:00.005+03:00

This weekend saw the Awali Caledonian Society celebrating Scotland's patron saint - St Andrew. It is one of the biggest dates in the Society's calendar. We had 200 sitting down for a four course meal which was followed by loads of dancing with the music being provided by the Glencraig Scottish Country Dance band, who have been coming out to the ball for the last 14 years.

The committee and the band -

Back row - Davie, Bill, Andy, Ally and Nicol.

Front row - Gordon, me, Nancy, Alison, Isobelle and Alex

The girls - Jan, Isobelle, Alison, Debbie and me.

Thanks for popping by.

Anniversary

2010-11-07T15:47:00.004+03:00

Another celebration when I am at home, or the day after I get back to Bahrain is my mam and dad's wedding anniversary. Can't believe it is a year ago that they were out here celebrating their golden wedding.

I had thought about something a bit more lovey dovey, but by the time I came to make this card I thought I would go the simple route. So I used the same layout as I did for John's 70 years young card but embellished it with some flowers held together with brads.

Thanks for popping by.

Hanging About Just Chillin!

2010-11-07T15:40:00.003+03:00

As school is off next week, I am heading home for a week. While I am home it is my son, Will's birthday. As he can be a cheeky monkey at times thought this image from Pink Gem was quite appropriate, which I coloured in with copic pens. Then just matted and layered the card up and used some brads to hold the image and mats together and on the sentiment strip which was attached to the card with foam pads.

Thanks for popping by.

3 Christmas Cards

2010-11-07T15:32:00.004+03:00

Was asked to do another three cards for one of the girls at school. Two using the theme of the glittered foam christmas trees that I had done for her before and one for a special friend.

The christmas trees ones as I have said used the glittered foam that I used before. I used the same layout but a different size of card and a peel off sentiment.

For the special friend one I used a freebie image from Bugaboo Stamps called Santa Stocking. Used some backing papers called Christmas Wishes from the Christmas multi stack by DCWV, finishing off with some ribbon for the sentiment.

Thanks for popping by.

70 years Young

2010-11-07T15:21:00.002+03:00

The weekend saw Billy and I off to a Pre 70th Birthday Celebration at a favourite Friday Brunch venue in honour of John.

I hope I look as good as John when I am 70 (a long way off yet, lol), despite John feeling a bit under the weather being full of the cold.

My card for his birthday was a simple affair, just matting some cardstock and cutting out a 7 and 0 and matting them with some foam pads. Lining the figures up with the sentiment 'years young'. Nice and quick card for a change for me.

Thanks for popping by.

Waking Up Is Hard To Do

2010-11-02T15:59:00.003+03:00

Got an email this afternoon from a friend of mine with a link to this video. Don't know how I would feel if this was the scene that greeted me when I entered the operating theatre. At least I would go under smiling!!!!!

Thanks for popping by.

Pinklilacs Candy

2010-11-01T17:16:00.005+03:00

My good friend and fellow crafter here in Bahrain has some fabulous celebration candy on offer. The reason for the celebration some of her family members have been fighting the dreaded 'C' and are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here's what is has on offer

Pinklilacs Rules:-

I would appreciate it if you would post about this candy, side bar will do, other than that no rules. Open to email entries as well for those who do not have a blog.

Thanks for popping by.

1 layout, 3 cards

2010-11-01T15:43:00.002+03:00

Yesterday's effort was for one of the girl's at work's birthday next week. Thought I would do something fairly quick and easy, as every minute just now is precious to me just now as there is so much going on. For this card I used scraps of card that I had lying about. Tied a ribbon round the larger of the smaller mats. On the smallest mat stamped a 'happy birthday' sentiment and added three gems for a bit of embellishment.

As this card was done fairly quickly, and with everything else that is going on just now, I thought the layout would do for a couple of birthday that are coming up at home in mid November. The first one is for my daughter, Sarah's bridesmaid, Kelly Ann and the second is for Shona, who used to babysit for me when the kids were small. On their cards instead of ribbons and gems for embellishments I have used flowers and brads.

Thanks for popping by.

5 Cards, 1 image, 1 layout

2010-10-29T17:39:00.006+03:00

One of the girls at work asked if I could some christmas cards to send to her family back home - 5 brothers, 1 sister and a Mum.

For the brothers I used the same image - Father Christmas from Digistamp Boutique - and which I coloured in with copics, adding stickles for the santa's hat, jackets and boots and watered down liquid pearls to the beard. To make it easier for me I decided that I would use the same layout for all the cards but use different cardstock to make each card individual.

Was also asked to do a card for her sister. My inspiration came from one of the cards I did recently for a challenge. Used the same basic elements but it has turned out totally different.

The final card was for her mum, all she said was that wanted it to express how much she missed her. Using my sizzix shadowbox dies cut out 2 m's and a u in co-ordinating card and for the sentiment adapted a birthday sentiment and added a bow as a finishing touch.

Thanks for popping by.

Sugar & Spice

2010-10-20T15:56:00.002+03:00

Today's effort is for one of the guys that works with Billy and who became a granda for the first time on Monday. According to Granda there is no pink baby stuff in Bahrain as Grandma has bought it all!!

Using copic pens coloured in 'Tilly' from Digistamp Boutique. The papers used for matting and layering were from the some free papers that I got a while back from Simply Cards and Papercrafts as was the wee border at the bottom of the card.

Thanks for popping by.

Feeling Better!

2010-10-19T15:50:00.002+03:00

One of my very good friends is feeling a wee bit under the weather just now, suffering from Sciatica. As she is across the water in Saudi and I can't be there to help out, thought I would send her a wee card to let her know I was thinking about her.

Knew the exact image I wanted to use, a die cut from a card kit from Papermania called Nostalgia, using the other die cut image for another card, more of which another day. Also used one of the sentiments that came along with the kit. Matted the image and sentiment on some scraps of cardstock that I had lying about.

By the end of today it should hopefully be winging its way over the causeway to Saudi.

Thanks for popping by.

Sketch Saturday Challenge

2010-10-17T13:52:00.005+03:00

After enjoying the Quick Cards Challenge the other day, thought I would try some more, well one, this one being over at Sketch Saturday. When I take part in a challenge I like to be able to make use of the card, so this one is for another work colleague, whose birthday is at the end of the month.

The image and sentiment is from a freebie supplement, called Stamp It, that I got with one of my magazines. Not only does it have images but there are some matching papers to go with the image. However I decided not to use this part of the freebie. The cardstock came from Lasting Impressions, the various green cardstock from the Limeade range with the blue from Smooth Sailing. Copics were used to colour in the image and the buttons came from my stash.

Just after I posted on Sketch Saturday, I received word of a new challenge, whose theme the card also fell into so adding it to another challenge over at One Stitch at a Time.

Thanks for popping by.

My First Christmas Card

2010-10-16T11:45:00.004+03:00

Yes, you've read the title right, I have mentioned the dreaded 'christmas' word.

Got the impetus to start when I received an email from Quick Cards letting me know what is in this month's issue. Top of the email was the 'Quick Cards Bonus Papers Challenge'. The challenge was to make a christmas card using the free downloadable bonus papers. I do love freebies, lol!

To make the card I printed off the bonus papers, took out my trusty 'Bug' and die cut some christmas trees from glitter foam, printed off a sentiment and added some gems and Voila!.

Thanks for popping by.

My Hero

2010-10-13T17:09:00.005+03:00

Can't believe that I have nearly clocked up another year on the wedding anniversary clock. Next Tuesday hitting number 27 on the clock!!!! For some reason this year I am had, as Sarah would put it - a cheese on toast moment, lol, but when I saw this image by Just Inklined - Derek Doodlebuns - over at Imag-e-nation, I couldn't resist.

I coloured my 'hero' with Copic pens and used various bits of cardstock from Lasting Impressions 'Limeade' range for the matting and layering. The sentiments were printed off on the computer.

Since I used copic pens I thought I would link this project some fab blog candy that is on offer over on Charmed Crafts Blog - 72 pen set of Copic Pens.

Thanks for popping by.

Birthday Wishes

2010-10-11T15:49:00.002+03:00

After not crafting for ages, I am hopefully getting into the groove again. Today's effort is for one of the girl.s at works birthday next week - second of three october birthdays. Again trying to be a thrifty crafter and use up my scraps. The base mat is a BoBunny Back To Back - Coffee Dot, which I also used at a base mat for the sentiment. The top mat was a 6x6 paper from Papermania - Creative Tones, Antique Cream. Printed off 'Birthday Wishes' onto a scrap of cream card and cut it using Labels 7 from Nestabilities. Finished it off with some flowers from my stash held together with matching brads.

Thanks for popping by.

Final One For Today

2010-10-10T15:33:00.003+03:00

After a week off work went back to work today only to realise that it is one of the girls birthdays at the end of the week. As everyone gets a birthday card and me having a few things on this week, I had to come with something quick and easy. Reverted again to the scrap draw and fished out a couple of bits from a Fred She Said set which I have called Dancing Daisy. Finished it off with a couple of brown colour gems.

Thanks for popping by.

A New Pad

2010-10-10T15:26:00.003+03:00

Just before Sarah and Mikey arrive I got a card finished for an old family friend who had moved house. The image was from Digistamp Boutique and called Bob & Benji and coloured with Copic pens. I just think the image is so cute. Again trying to use up all my scraps, so unfortunately I can't remember the names/colours of the mats. Sorry!

Thanks for popping by.

Future SIL

2010-10-10T15:13:00.004+03:00

Last week saw our daughter, Sarah, and future son-in-law, Mikey, paying us a visit. It was great having them out as it meant I was on holiday too, took a week off work. Ch.nged my job for a week from school secretary to chief tour guide, lol. Whilst they were here it happened to be Mikey's birthday and as he expects nothing but a handmade card from me, I couldn't let him down. He was needless to say, chuffed with my attempt, or so he said. Used a freebie image and sentiment from Bugaboo Stamps, called Soccer Nut, which I coloured in with copic pens. Used scraps of cardstock for the mats and finished it off with 3 buttons in decreasing sizes.

Thanks for popping by.

A Mixture of Allsorts

2010-09-14T15:21:00.004+03:00

As we have had a long weekend thought I would spend the time getting some cards done - unexpected cards and orders. The first two are the unexpected ones, the cards that most cardmakers hate doing - sympathy.

The next batch are for more happier occasions - an engagment and birthday. The birthday is for the female of the couple. The engagement happened in New York, although they have been together for a while, the groom to be still said it was nervewracking. The first two are from the groom to be's parents.

This next one is from me and Billy to the happy couple.

This next one was a rush one, was asked by one of the girls at school to do an Eid Mubarak card for her hubby.

And last but not least, a birthday card for one of the girls at school. When it is a birthday of one of the staff at school, I always do a card for them and Lynn and I provide birthday cake. Some months are worse than others.

Instead of giving details descriptions of what was used in each card will summarize it by saying that I used some free papers, cuttlebug embossing and die cuts, stamping, heat embossing and used a new crafty programme - My Craft Studio using the Tattered Lace cd.

Thanks for popping by.

Eid Mubarek

2010-08-29T17:44:00.003+03:00

Not a lot of crafting been done over the summer for me as I have been focussing on getting Sarah's wedding organised but have managed to get a batch of cards done to give out when I get back to Bahrain to my Bahraini friends when they celebrate the Eid holiday which follows immediately after the end of Ramadan.

Before I headed home for the summer I printed off the backing papers, stamped a batch of Claudette camels and using a plain and a scalloped oval nestability cut out mats. When I had a few minutes coloured in the camels with watercolour pencils and put the cards together.

Thanks for popping by.

Candy Time Again

2010-08-29T17:32:00.003+03:00

Jak Heath has on offer some fab candy to mark her blog getting a million hit along with a thousand blogger followers. Pop over by Midnight on Friday 3rd September and see what she is offering.

Here's a couple pieces of candy to whet your appetite

Thanks for popping by.

All done.

2010-07-12T15:03:00.003+03:00

As I am heading home to Bonnie Scotland at the end of the week and won't have any of my crafting gear at home with me I have been trying to get all the cards I need till the end of September done. Got the final one finished today so I can now relax a bit.

The card to finish off September is for my eldest daughter, Tara. The inspiration for this came from the cardstock - BoBunny's Back to Backs Kitchen Spice Nutmeg and Kitchen Spice Sesame. My image is from Funky Funky and which is coloured in with copic pens. I used Martha Stewart's Loop Corner punch and EK Success' Daisy Chain to add a bit of embellishment. For the sentiment I used the 'Happy Birthday' stamp from Kanban's Garden Vistas - Spring Silhoutettes. For the image and sentiment mats I used Labels Four nestabilities. The edges were distressed with Adironkack Cabin Fever.

This next card is also for Tara as she is changing jobs at the end of the month. The cardstock came from K&Companys Citronella collection. The image which I coloured with copic pens is a stamp from Whispers but doesn't have a name only a bar code, lol. I used the nested eggs to make the various mats and a two marvy punches to make the tags and which are held together with a brad and a peel off sentiment.

The final card was a request for a grand-daughter who is into pink and girly things. I used Smirk's Naughty But Nice for the elements of this card using various of the sheets to make the mats. For the images I trimmed three images from one of the image sheets and attached them using foam pads. For a bit of bling I added two glittery brads and finished off with a peel off sentiment.

Thanks for popping by.

On A Roll Today

2010-07-11T16:46:00.007+03:00

Got on like a house on fire today and as a result nearly got all the cards for September done.

As I enjoyed doing the circle card I thought I would do another one. This the base card was cut from a K&Company's paper pack - Citronella - as is the blue and orange mats which were cut using two dies from the Blossom nestabilities set. The image, which I coloured using copic pens, came from Cuddly Buddly Crafts and called Happy Birthday To Ewe. For a bit of embellishment added three flowers with brads for the flower centres.

The next one used a decoupage topper and co-ordinating paper from a Hello Kitty pack that I bought at the beginning of year and have hardly used. For the decoupage bow centre I added a glittery brad. Added a bit of ribbon and finished off with a 'Happy Birthday' peel off.

Number three today was an anniversary card and came from a pack of cards and embellishments. I layered three hearts with foam pads and finished off with a peel off.

The final one for today is a new baby card. The blue and green mats came from the same Citronella K&Company paper pack as the circle card. The image is another Cuddly Buddly Crafts image called Ellies and coloured with copic pens. The sentiment was cut using a cuttlebug die and for a bit of embellishment added three co-ordinating brads.

Thanks for popping by.

Wrinkled Ladies

2010-07-09T21:18:00.002+03:00

This morning while checking my Facebook page I came across a posting from a friend of mine with a video attachment. While watching it I couldn't resisting singing along. Having said that I don't think I will be able to listen to Beyonce singing Single Ladies without thinking about this version. Hope it cheers you up.

Thanks for popping by.

Christmas in July

2010-07-07T11:33:00.003+03:00

Summer's not hardly begun and some of us are thinking about Christmas already. How many of you are saying, 'AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH, you've mentioned the dreaded word'. Well they are over at Stampin' For The Weekend - for theie current challenge you are provided with sketch and a theme - Christmas In July - to follow.

I don't really start thinking about christmas until after the summer but thought I would give it a go and see what I could come up. My stamped image is one that I have used a fair bit for christmas cards and fairly easy to colour in. I coloured the scarves, holly leaves and hat band with copic pens. For the mats I took out my nestabilities - rectangles and big scalloped rectangles. For the circles I used a couple of circle cuttlebug dies. The cardstock is a two-sided cardstock from Basic Grey called Eskimo Kisses Thin Ice. For the sentiment I used a peel-off.

Thanks for popping by.

A New Pad

2010-07-06T13:13:00.003+03:00

As I couldn't sleep last night, I had a wee wander round some digistamp online shops for an image that would be suitable to be used on a new home card. Digistamp Boutique had one that fitted the bill - Bob & Benji. So spent the morning getting the card done and ready to be delivered.

I coloured the image using copic pens and cut it out using the largest of Nestabilities Labels 2 and distressing the edge with Versacolor's Icicle ink pad as well as the edge of the card. The 'A New Pad' sentiment was just done using the Text Box option in Word. The base mat was a sheet of card that I had printed off ages ago but can't remember the name. I finished off with a couple of buttons.

I am putting the card in Digistamp Boutique's July Challenge - the only requirements were that you used a Digistamp Boutique image and that the card had to be created in July.

Thanks for popping by.

T-Bear's Candy

2010-07-05T15:38:00.003+03:00

Trisha over T-Bear's Touch has some lovely candy on offer. Pop over by Thursday 8th of July to be in with a chance of winning. Here's a preview -

Thanks for popping by.

Circles & Dots

2010-07-05T14:38:00.005+03:00

Speaking about going round in circles then today's card certainly hits the spot.

Today's card is a first for me - doing a circle card - and is cut from BoBunny's Back to Backs Alissa Spunky, as is the scalloped circle. The image was Bugaboo Stamp's free image a couple of weeks ago and which I coloured with copic pens and distressed the edge with Versacolor's Petal Pink. The ribbon was punched from another piece of cardstock from the Alissa range, this time 'Twirls' using EK Success' border punch - Donut Chain. Finished off with a silver 'Happy Birthday' peel off.

I am entering it into a few challenges. Firstly into Sketch & Stash's Challenge 39 - make a circle card and use new or forgotten stash. My stash is new the EK Success punch - Donut Chain.

Secondly into Digi Doodles Shop's Best Challenge - Circles and Dots - it certainly has circles and dots.

And last but not least One Stitch At A Time Challenge - 'Lace, Ribbon's & Bows' Challenge - the ribbon being a paper ribbon.

Thanks for popping by.

Purple Birthday

2010-07-04T13:37:00.002+03:00

Seem to be on a roll just now, but that's maybe because am now on holiday from school and have plenty time to play. Well I am now onto September's cards - got a wedding anniversary and a few birthdays to do. Thought I would start off with a birthday, whose I don't know yet.

Sketch Saturday's Week 110 Challenge gave me the layout and am putting my card into the draw for the challenge. The majority of the elements of the card from Kanban's Matryoshka Love Birds Toppers which was a two sheet pack and included toppers and backing card. I used the backing card for two of the mats. From my stash there was the light and mid lavender/purple cardstock that has been used for some of the mats. The embellisments were the flower, glitter brad and gems, again all from stash.

Thanks for popping by.

Little Green Men

2010-07-04T09:58:00.004+03:00

As I am heading home to Bonnie Scotland in a couple of weeks for the summer and knowing that I won't have a lot of time and not having any crafty stuff at home, I thought I would try and get ahead of myself on the card front. My target before I leave is to have all the cards that I need until the end of September done. Today's card finishes off August for me.

Thought a I would a tongue in cheek card for a good friend. My image comes from Prairie Fairy and is called Martian Men and which I coloured in with copic pens and distressed the edges with Adirondack Cabin Fever. The two backing mats are cut from cardstock from BoBunny. The green mat is U Bug Me! Dot and the organe is Orange Citrus Dot. The blue buttons are from my stash.

I am entering it two challenges. The first challenge over at Card Patterns gives me the sketch and the second challenge is Prairie Fairy's Anything Goes Challenge. There is a bit of a coincidence here as Prarie Fairy are sponsoring this week's Card Patterns Challenge.

Thanks for popping by.

Happy Birthday

2010-07-03T12:13:00.005+03:00

Today's effort was done to put into Card Patterns Challenge, but I was just too late to get it posted, but at least the card won't be wasted as I did it for my sister-in-law, Judith's birthday.

The cupcake image, which I coloured in with copic, and backing papers came from Funky Fairy (sadly who have stopped trading). The backing papers were from Ecclectic Lurve Part 3 - Distress 1 and Cupcake Crazy Scribbles. The ribbon, flowers and brads from my stash. The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment was stamped using a combination of Versacolor Petal Pink and Raspberry.

For the base mat I used Fiskars Threading Water punch to punch around a corner with a fiskars punch - a new technique for me and one which I can see being used regularly.

Although I missed the Card Patterns Challenge, I can still enter it into a couple of challenges. The first challenge is Bee Crafty's 3D Challenge and the second is La-La Land Crafts New Technique Challenge as the punching round the corner was a technique that I have never tried before.

Thanks for popping by.

Moving Along With The Times

2010-07-02T15:43:00.003+03:00

I don't know how many 'Ma'assalma' cards I have had to this year, but today's card is another one, this time for a fellow crafter, Betty, who is leaving Awali. What will I do for my christmas tree decorations!!!! Betty makes the most wonderful christmas tree decorations, one of which uses the shape of the island of Bahrain to make Santa's face, with each year's face being different from previous years.

Anyway onto the card which I have decided to enter into 'Moving Along With The Times' Challenge - ironic I thought for the type of card I was doing. For the card I resorted to one of palm tree stamps - Inkadinkado's Tin Can Mail - stamping it using Versacolour's Mocha Truffle inkpad and matted it onto copper mirri card. The background mats was cut from Basic Grey's Aged & Confused Sublime Collection - Circus Stripe and the copper mirri card. The gems and ribbons are from my stash.

Thanks for popping by.

Birthday Wishes - a new technique

2010-07-02T07:44:00.006+03:00

When I was having a wee wander round the net yesterday came across an instruction video on how to make what was referred to as 'tight mats' using nestabilites. Instead of me trying to explain the technique, nip over and have a look. I used the technique, slightly adapted to make my Birthday Wishes card.

Started off with a rectangle nestability to trim down the Birthday Wishes tag, which came from the free papers in the Creative Cardmaking that I recieved this week. Using the same rectangle nestability I cut out the window in the card front. Next came the fiddly bit, well for me it was, cutting the window out in the co-ordinating paper to match the window in the card front. Once I got the paper lined up in the position that I wanted, I drew the outline of the window on the back of the paper. Again using the same rectangle nestability I lined up the die with the outline I had drawn, I cut round the outer edge of the nestability with a craft knife. The piece that was cut out I used as a mat for the Birthday Wishes rectangle.

For a bit of embellishment I punched out both side of a strip of co-ordinating card with the Fiskars Threading Water punch, adding a strip of the co-ordinating paper and finishing it off with a couple of flowers held together with a glittery brad.

Thanks for popping by.

One Cool Dude!

2010-06-30T13:38:00.003+03:00

Today's effort is for Tara and Sarah's godfather and who they sometimes refer to as their foster dad (long story).

The digital image is Cool Cat from Bugaboo Stamps which I coloured with copic pens, die cut with Nestabilities Labels Eight and inked the edges with Butterscotch Whispers Archival ink pad. Also used the ink pad to colour the sentiment. The mats were made using BoBunny's Bug Me Dot (both sides) and Basic Grey's Aged and Confused Sublime Collection - Circus Strip. The final touch was adding red, green and brown buttons.

Thanks for popping by.

Always Read The Small Print!!!!!

2010-06-29T15:41:00.005+03:00

My inspiration for this card came from Stampin' for the Weekend's challenge - Blue and Yellow.

I coloured the flowers, from Digistamp Boutique (can't get the link to Digistamp Boutique's shop working, but have linked it to their blog instead), with copic pens, selected the cardstock - Bobunny's Calypso Dream and Cotton Candy Popsicle. Using my Oval nestabilities - plain and scalloped cut out the image and fixed it to the scalloped mat with yellow brads. The blue mat was edged with Fiskars Threading Water punch and the floral mat had the bottom edges rounded off with a corner punch. Finished it off with a silver peel-off sentiment.

Went over to Stampin's blog to do a final check only to realise that their blue and yellow was a double challenge, they had also supplied a sketch to follow, and which I hadn't realised. So can't enter this card into the challenge. Serves me right, you should always read the small print!!!!!!

Thanks for popping by.

50th Birthday

2010-06-27T16:13:00.004+03:00

A friend asked me to do a birthday for her sister-in-law's 50th Birthday, and who was described to me as a pink sparkly type of person.

I knew that I would be using a digital stamp from Bugaboo from the 'Pink Ribbon' range - Meg. I had a rummage through my stash and found a long forgotten bundle of matstock from DCWV called 'All Dressed Up', selecting a pink/grey/black glittered striped mat and a pink and black flowered mat. I made the base card from black cardstock from K&Company's recycled range - Remake Night Blacks. The plain pink cardstock also came from K&Company - Remake Berry Pinks.

I tried a new fold, well to me, for this card, called Joy Fold, which I saw as a tutorial over at Whimsie Doodles Tuesday Tutorials adapting the measurements slightly. For the digital stamp, I coloured the majority with copic pens using Cotton Candy Stickles for Meg's shoes, bag and wrap and Fruit Punch Stickles for the flower. The final touch was to attach the the sentiment with glittered pink brads.

I have a feeling that it ticks the pink and sparkly boxes.

Thanks for popping by.

More Candy From Jak

2010-06-27T11:05:00.003+03:00

What a generous crafter Jak is. She has another candy on offer, this time it is Stamping Set 1 and 2 from Promarkers.

All you have to do is let Jak know by 10pm GMT on Saturday 3rd which 2 colours you like to blend with.

Thanks for popping by.

This Bud Is For You!

2010-06-26T12:24:00.004+03:00

Today's card was done for one of the teachers at school who wanted a card to send to friends to say she was thinking of them.

The image which I coloured in with copic pens and the sentiment came from the freebie section over at Whimsie Doodles. For the base mat and scalloped circle I used BoBunny's Ella Enchated cardstock and the top mat, more BoBunny cardstock, this time Abbey Road Stripe. The ribbon is from the Triple Check Dobby Satin Ribbon Collection.

I have included it in Whoopsi Daisy's June Challenge - Ribbons and Bows.

Thanks for popping by.

Domestic Goddess Blog Candy

2010-06-26T10:27:00.003+03:00

Jak Heath is hosting a candy with a fab prize from All Tea Towels.

How do you win? Just pop over to Jak's, leave a comment saying which apron you like best and you have got till 10pm GMT on Friday 2nd July to leave your comment. Here's a couple of the aprons to wet your appetite.

Good luck everyone.

Thanks for popping by.

Thank You

2010-06-26T10:06:00.002+03:00

With the end of the school year, Lynn who runs the school thought it would be a nice touch to say thank you to all the girls for making the first year of Sunflower House a success. What could I do that was a bit special but not complicated as I had 18 cards to do. So having had a scramble through my crafting shelves decided to rely on my trusty 'bug' and do some die cutting and embossing.

Using cream lustre cardstock made a DL card, made a mat the whole width of the card from gold lustre cardstock. Using offcuts of the cream lustre die cut three squares with the plain square nestabilities, embossing one, stamping thank you onto another with Mocha Truffle from Versacolor and leaving the third plain. Die cut two butterflies, one in cream and one in gold and embossed them, curling the wings, the cream in the opposite direction from the gold and attaching them together with foam pads and mounting them onto the plain cream square again with foam pads.

Thanks for popping by.

Papa Gibb's Birthday

2010-06-18T13:59:00.002+03:00

Phew, got it done, this one was about 10 days in the making as I kept getting interupted. Having to get card orders done. At least I will be able to give to Billy on Monday. Just have to get his pressie now.

I started off with the image, a digistamp - Turtle Birthday - from Bugaboo, which I coloured with watercolour pencils. Using my nestabilities - Labels Ten - cut out three labels, and edging the image die-cut with green. Starting with the bottom mat and working up to the image, all mats were from BoBunny and called Cotton Candy Popsicle, Ella Enchanted, Clover Dot and Abbey Road Stripe.

Thanks for popping by.

Happy Birthday

2010-06-18T13:52:00.002+03:00

This card is the last of the three cards I had to do for the girls at work.

For the base card I used one of the templates from the Templated with an edge - Totally Elegant & Floral set by Colour My World. The mats came from scraps that I had lying about and the sentiments were freebies from Creative Cardmaking.

Thanks for popping by.

Happy Birthdays

2010-06-14T15:59:00.004+03:00

The latest cards are for a couple of girls at the school. No instructions came with the cards apart from one was a sister-in-law and the other for a husband.

For the sister-in-law one, I knew that I would use a butterfly topper from Kanban called Autumn Butterflies Coffee and used foam pads to put the topper together. For the bamboo background I embossed a piece of cream lustre thin card, using a new cuttlebug embossing folder from the Oriental Weave collection and coloured the bamboo using copic pens. Then matted it on a piece of coffee coloured cardstock and which was matted on some cream cardstock. Finishing off with a stamped sentiment.

For the husband, I used a few magazine freebies to put it together. The striped and spotted papers came from Creative Cardmaking and the Popcorn topper was another freebie from Simply Cards & Papercrafts. I used some cardstock that I had lying about - Lasting Impressions Cornflower Solid - for the base mats.

Thanks for popping by.

Thank You

2010-06-12T15:35:00.004+03:00

This card was done for one of the girls that I work with at the school, who asked if I could make a thank you card for her. Thought I would do something quite simple and not overly fussy. I stamped the large tree from Kanban's Garden Vistas Spring Silhouettes using Mocha Truffle from Versacolor. On top of the stamped tree matted using foam pads at die cut topper from Kanban's Sundance Trees. For the sentiment stamped thank you on a scrap of cream flecked card using the Mocha Truffle ink pad and matting it onto a scrap of gold lustre card that I cut out using a scalloped rectangle from Nestabilities.

Thanks for popping by.

Yes, It's Feet Up Time

2010-06-09T17:23:00.002+03:00

It's another one of those Ma'assalama cards that I have been doing a lot of recently. This one is for a good friend of ours who is leaving Saudi Arabia at the end of the month to retire to Galveston. We are meeting up for a Ma'assalama lunch on Friday at one of our favourite restaurants in Bahrain - Senor Pacos. I have to admit that it serves, possibly the best Margaritas on the island. Billy and I have a wee present to have over on Friday and I decided to do a card to go along with it.

For the card I used a digital stamp image - Jim Relaxing - from Digistamp Boutique and coloured it with my copic pens. Out came my trusty 'Bug' and nestabilities and using the largest die from Big Scalloped Squares I cut and embossed to the image. Matted it onto scraps of blue card that I had lying about, and for the life of me I can't remember where I got it from. The scalloped edges and the edges of the sentiment I distressed with a cotton wool ball and an ink pad from a set that I got in Lakeland Plastics ages ago.

Thanks for popping by.

Candy again

2010-06-08T15:50:00.002+03:00

If you want some fab candy have a wander round to see Jak Heath for a chance to win some fab stuff that come from Pixie Petals. To be in with a chance of winning you have to comment on today's card from Jak and also the one she is doing for tomorrow.

Thanks for popping by.

Sketch & Stash Challenge 37

2010-06-08T15:30:00.005+03:00

Not having done a challenge for ages I thought I would have a bash at one again and the one over at Sketch and Stash caught my eye. To be eligible for the challenge you have to use the sketch provided and use something new from your stash - my something new is the digital stamp from Bugaboo Stamps and coloured with copic pens.. The cardstock that I used was from BoBunny's - Abbey Road, Abbey Road Stripe and Abbey Road Dot. The flowers and brads are from my stash. The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is a gold peel off coloured brown with peel off markers.

Although I posted this card on my blog yesterday I came across the Simon Says' a recipe! Challenge whilst blog hopping today, so I thought I would put it in for the challenge as I think it has all the recipe ingredients - 1 image, 2 patterned papers and 3 types of embellishment.

Thanks for popping by.

Well Done To The Fraserburgh's Pink Walkers

2010-06-07T14:24:00.004+03:00

Just want to say well done to all the Pink Walkers. Pink walkers, I hear you say. Well let me explain.

Saturday night in my home town, Fraserburgh, saw the annual Moonlight Prowl, a charity walk to raise breast cancer awareness with the money raised being donated to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Breast Cancer Care. The Prowl is a ladies only sponsored walk, with the choice of two distances to be walked, either 6 or 13 miles.

On Moonlight Prowl night, the town is awash with pink - walkers dressed in pink, houses along the route being decked out in pink and householders cheering the walkers along. In the build up to the start of the walk, there is the wee warm up to get the feet moving and at 10pm the walkers head off.

The Moonlight Prowl started in 2006 and raised almost £28,000 and to date the Prowl has raised £345,000.

Sadly I have never been at home when the walk is on, but I always try to do my bit by sponsoring some of my friends who are walking. I hope that one day I will be able to the walk for myself.

Thanks for popping by and taking the time to read about the Prowl. I think most of us out there know a family or person who has been touched by cancer.

Happy Anniversary

2010-06-07T03:45:00.005+03:00

Don't you get flashes of inspiration in the funniest of places!!! The flash of inspiration for this card came yesterday morning as I walking to the car when I popped out of the office to drop off an order at the photo shop.

Started off with my trusty 'Bug' and my plain square and big scalloped square nestabilities. Using the largest die of the big scalloped square nestabilities cut and embossed the frame out of Imaginisce's Kewl Stuff - Wassup?. To create the frame used the third largest plain square nestability. Then with Cuttlebug's nested heart die cut out two sets of hearts, one in Kewl Stuff - Wassup and another in fushia/pink mirri card.

Using two different thicknesses of foam pads stuck down the frame and smallest heart onto a white base card. The largest heart was stuck directly onto the card. Finishing off with a sentiment that I printed off and matted onto the same cardstock as the frame.

Thanks for popping by.

Jak's Candy

2010-06-06T15:16:00.004+03:00

Jak Heath, an inspiration to many crafters, has some fabulous candy on offer - a baby hAngler and stAnglar stamp set.

To have a chance of winning nip over to her blog and leave a comment and put a link on your blog to the candy.

You better be quick, it is getting drawn at 10pm GMT tonight. Fingers crossed I am a winner when I wake up tomorrow.

Thanks for popping by.

Not To Be Sneezed At!!!

2010-06-06T15:00:00.002+03:00

This year, for the first time in 30 years, I have only one Father's Day card to get. It seems so strange, but then coming year will have a lot of firsts for us as a family.

So onto the one Father's Day card I have made, for my Dad. Didn't know what to do, which isn't unusual for me just now, until I got my daily craft email from Martha Stewart and saw one of her Father's Day card ideas. As my Dad always has a hankie I thought it would a bit of fun and also a useful pressie for him. The navy jacket is made from cardstock in my stash and I drew on the stitching using a White Sakura Souffle pen, tucking in a hankie into the jacket pocket.

Thanks for popping by.

Just a Note .....

2010-06-05T06:43:00.003+03:00

Just a note to say well done and to put in my donation to my neighbour's daughter, Karen, who for her 40th birthday did a parachute jump to raise money for cancer research.

My image is from Bugaboo Stamps' Pink Ribbon range and I have to blame Shell for leading me into the shop and encouraging my spend. This little lady is call Penny and she coloured is in with copic pens. I cut out and embossed Peggy using Nestabilities Labels Ten and chalked the embossed edge with pink chalk. The backing mats were cut from papers from The Press Company and called 'Multi Dot' and 'Pink Filigree Corner'. The sentiment is stamped using a stamp from Funstamps. I added a couple of brads and fixed them to the card with foam pads.

Thanks for popping by.

I Don't Do Angelic

2010-06-01T17:03:00.004+03:00

The final card for today is one that I did for by walking buddy when I am home in Scotland. Didn't know where to start but when I was searching my digital stamps I couldn't resist this one. It was a freebie from Cuddly Buddly and coloured in with copic pens. The base card is purple lustre card and the mats various bits that I had lying about. The top two mat layers were cut out using Nestabilities Labels Eight with the bottom mat having a border punched out using Martha Stewart's Daisy Edge punch. Finishing off with some flowers from my stash.

Thanks for popping by.

50 Golden Years

2010-06-01T16:51:00.002+03:00

My neighbour, Barbara, asked if I would make a couple of cards for her. Her daughter's 40th birthday - 40th Birthday on Acetate and for a 50th Wedding Anniversary that her and John are attending when they get back home to the UK later on this month. Used some gold lustre cardstock that I had lying about for the base of the card and the mat. The image is one that I have had for ages and can't remember who or where I got it from. The decorative edging on the right hand side was done by cutting a 1.25 inch strip of gold lustre card and using Fiskars' Threading Water border punch punched both sides of the card. The sentiment is a rub on and finished off with a gold ribbon from my stash.

Thanks for popping by.

40th Birthday on Acetate

2010-06-01T16:42:00.003+03:00

This one is a first for me, something that I have wanted to try for a while - a card using acetate for the card base. The mats are BoBunny's Sweetie Pie Squeeze and cut out using Nestabilities Label Eight. The stamped image was one that I got in a goodie card from my crafting buddie, Linda J (aka Pinkliliacs) and coloured with copic pens. Finished off with a couple of flowers held together with a brad.

Thanks for popping by.

All I seem to be doing ...............

2010-06-01T16:30:00.004+03:00

It seems that just all I seem to be doing is farewell cards. Here is another one. This time for a former Caledonian Society committee member who is hanging up his hard hat and heading for retirement in Scotland. the cardstock for the base card and mats is from K&Company's Recycled range - Remake Earth Browns. The backing papers came from a range called 'Woodlands - Earthtones' by American Traditional Designs. The stamped image, is a stamp from Inkdinkado and stamped in Timber Brown Stazon. Finishing off the card with a 'ma'assalma' sentiment.

Thanks for popping by.

Two firsts

2010-05-19T13:33:00.003+03:00

Two posts in two consecutive days!!!!!! There must be something wrong.

Today's card is another one that I was asked to do at the last minute as it is needed for Friday. The first first is that the card is for a friend's friend's son 1st Holy Communion. The second first is that this is the first time I have ever been asked to do a 1st communion card. As not something I know about I have a wee snoop online to see what 1st communion cards look like. After seeing what is generally done for communion cards I realised that I didn't really have anything suitable, but a light bulb went off in my head and off I toddled into my Greeting Card Factory and searched for communion cards. Once I found an image that I thought would be suitable and deciding that I just didn't want to print off a card but I wanted to do a bit more with the image. What did I do I hear you ask? I printed off three images and decoupaged them. The green backing paper is a sheet of handmade paper made from watermelon.

I hope the card fits the bill.

Thanks for popping by.

Comings and Goings

2010-05-18T08:54:00.003+03:00

Making cards has been very low on my list just now as Billy and I had to head home at short notice at the end of April, as Billy's dad passed away, suddenly but peacefully. Billy and I were saddened that we didn't get home in time to say our goodbyes, but when Helen (my late mother-in-law) finally granted his wish, to come back and take him on his holidays, Tara, Sarah, Will, Mikey, Rita and Doug were there to see him off.

Anyway less of the morbid stuff and onto the cards. The first card I made once I returned to Bahrain was for one of the guys that works in Billy's department in the Refinery, a joyous occasion, the birth of his first child, a boy called Yousif - the 'comings' part in this post title Didn't know where to start so flicked through some magazines for some inspiration and found the card shape in 'Let's make Cards' issue 32. I started off with the card shape but that changed as I tried to get a backing paper and I found on a freebie cd that I got ages ago from Papercraft Essentials. After printing off the backing paper I trimmed it to fit the card and cut out one of the elephants and mounted it on foam pads. The sentiment was stamped onto card and matted on the same blue card as the base card and et voila this is the end result.

The next card I made falls into the 'goings' category of the post title. This is another farewell card and one that was done at very short notice. When I spoke to Pat the only instructions I got was that the card was for a couple who were regular attenders at the wee church along the road from me and who were leaving Bahrain to return home. My initial thought was using one of my palm tree stamps for the image but how to incorporate their faith, without being overtly religious. Then it dawn on me to cut out the shape of a cross and mat the image over it. After a rummage in my stash for cardstock this is the final result.

Thanks for popping by.

Ma'assalma MK2

2010-04-18T18:54:00.002+03:00

Another Ma'assalama card for a friend of mine who is leaving Bahrain and retiring to Scotland. I used the same cardstock and ink pad as the previous Ma'assalama card but used a different embossing folder and stamp. The embossing folder is a new one for me, a recent purchase. I can see it being one that will be used a lot.

Thanks for popping by.

Twisted Pyramage

2010-04-15T01:13:00.002+03:00

An April birthday - my brother-in-law's stepson. Again I used free papers and images as I am struggling for inspiration just. I look at all my stuff and can't seem to see anything coming out of it. Anyway did a twisted pryamage, my first ever. Matted the pryamage onto cardstock in various shades of green and finally onto dark green cardstock. Finishing off the card with a birthday and football peel off.

Thanks for popping by.