ONLY 2 MORE TO GO

That's another chunky book page completed.

I must get on and complete the last 2 then I can perhaps enter a few weekly challenges in order to build up my card stash. I also want to make the odd bit of altered art and get ahead with hand made pressies.
However, I have just read some disappointing news which is that Dawn Bibby is closing her store and it's up for sale. She really has had an awful year and must do what is right for her so it is understandable. I will miss my trips there and meeting up with Lindsay, She, Gez and the lovely staff. Also, no more workshops. I so hope that whoever buys the store keeps workshops going and that Lindsay will be able to continue.

FAIRY DOOR

I was so tired yesterday after a really exciting and most enjoyable day on Saturday. I met my friend, Sonia at the train station and we 'whisked' our way over to Dawn's for a workshop with the ever so talented, Lindsay Mason.

The theme for this class was 'Fairy Doors'. Lindsay had made some gorgeous examples all of which were different and quite intriguing. The beauty of these little doors is that they can be adapted to suit any occasion and can either be used 'whole' on a card or scrap page, or, made as the card itself. Mine is going to a pal for her birthday in a few days. Hope she likes it.

We began by choosing a shape and then cutting some grungeboard to match. We then used crackle paint on the grunge which we 'tweeked' to resemble wood. Some of us left space around our door to add some rocks whilst others made their door fit exactly. We added hinges, locks, keys, windows, owls, flower soft and allsorts of bits and pieces. It was great fun and again, I learnt new crafty techniques.

I also had a wonderful time nattering and laughing with Sonia and a lovely lady next to me who had come all the way from Nottingham.

COPIC COLOUR CHALLENGE #53

Please click the link on the side bar for the Copic Colour Challenge.

#53 challenge is to use these colours:

YG03 - Yellow Green

Y17 - Golden Yellow

C-7 - Cool Grey no 7

I'm doing well with my Copic collection as I now only need 1 pen so I had these colours because they are all Ciao colours. The patterned paper is one I have had for years and is by Magenta. I thought it time I started to use my 'special' papers and stop 'oodling' at them. The image is a digi one, the frame is a Nellie's frame, the flowers are Prima, the leaf ribbon is from Dawn's store and the rest is from my stash.

I think the colours for this week are super and I enjoyed playing with them.

ANOTHER POSTAL DELIVERY

I received some cards from Hazel on Saturday and some from Sonia a few days ago, but this is the first chance I have had to look at them properly and share them with you.

The first 3 are Sonia's. 2010 is my favourite because Sonia has been practising with her new Distress inks and Tim Holtz mask. A great job here Sonia. La Belle Epoque is so neatly done. I remember her buying the art deco peel offs at Dawn's when we went. Lay of the Land just shows how inventive Sonia is. I could never have produced anything so amazing as this landscape by simply tearing different papers. Wow!

I think Hazel has been on a roll because all 5 cards are dated within 2 days of each other. Out of all 5, my favourite is Monochrome Flowers because I love the little stamp and the simple lines. Make a wish is another very neat card. I wish I could be as neat as this but I tend to think 'oh that will do'. I must stop that. Spring Time is a chipboard flower and again, quite simple, but doesn't it look good? Summer Buzzin has been carefully and cheerfully coloured, and the little bees have gorgeous sparkly wings. I love the colour of the flower and if you look closely, each petal has been highlighted with a white pen. In total contrast to the others, Way Back When is a vintage design. Both the background and lady image have been stamped and I love both images.

Altogether, a fine group of ATCs. I am so lucky to have them. Thank you ladies.

21st DECEMBER

Today is such a great day to me. I spend time 'oodling' over all the gorgeous and generous presents I received the day before for my birthday whilst looking forward to tomorrow when the days begin to grow longer once again. Yes, the shortest day of the year is a good one.

Despite freezing conditions, snow flurries and not so good driving conditions, my hubby took me to Dawn's yesterday where I met up with the 'bubbly' Lindsay Mason, who was demoing, and where I spent some of my gift vouchers. Apart from some distress ink pads, the photo shows my purchases. I really enjoyed myself. He then whisked me back along the motorway to enjoy a birthday meal. I even relented and had pudding. Not something I usually do, but I had an enormous dark chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. It was really good.

Just had to include a photo of a beautiful card from my friend Sylvia. I love the colours, which are my favourite.

Also, a big thank you for all the emails and ecards.

2010 is going to be a fantastic crafting year - I've made my mind up! One of the best bits for me is the launch of 12 new distress ink pads from Tim Holtz. The colours look amazing and I will get every one! And, he has teamed up with Sizzix!! Now that really sounds exciting. I think another re-shuffle in my workroom is called for.

A DIFFICULT TAG

Tag #10 was never going to be like Tim's. I've never seen the metal tape he used today. Is it just me or don't we get all these products in this country?

Come on Dawn, you seen to have the biggest supply of craft in the NW. Any chance of a bigger Ranger area in your store?

Anyway, I will not be beaten this year (you see David, I am taking you at your word and being positive!), so, in for a penny, in for a pound.

I actually have the grunge letters so that bit was ok, placing them on the card was a challenge, but I got there. Having none of this metal tape I could only think of using tin foil. Ok it's not strong enough nor is it sticky, but with a bit of patience, and a couple of small areas glued to the tag, I managed to make it go round most of the letters. I used alcohol inks and a few brushes to colour it all. I did think of using my copics, but then thought that would be a cop-out (nearly a pun, sorry). There was no way I could burnish any of the letters, so I used blending solution on a cotton bud to erase the ink. Black paint dabber on the tag would have calmed it all down, but again I thought it would be too delicate, so I've left it bright and cheery.

That was hard. 2 more days to go. I wonder what Tim has in store?

TAG NO. 3

I have completed tag no. 3. Sorry about the photo but I've taken it in artificial light.

Still waiting for the rock candy distress paint to come so I can complete tag 1 but I found some picket fence distress stickles yesterday at Dawn's.

Had a fabulous day with Sonia but I will tell you about that later as I want to include the odd photo or 2 and hubby has gone to the flying club and taken his camera with him. Also, I have had a really busy day today, my back is broken and I am so tired so going to sit down and watch tele.

Bye the way, I am really struggling with tag 4 because I don't have any of the major components. As I'm so tired I can't think of alternatives, so I'll leave that one 'til tomorrow.

TIME IS FLYING

Where are the days going? I just can't seem to catch up at all.

The amazing Tim Holtz has started his 12 tags of Christmas and I want to make all 12 this time. The first had me stumped 'cos I don't have any rock candy crackle paint or stickles. As for the snowman stamp, well, I don't have that either, so that meant another trip to a couple of craft shops. Neither had what I wanted so I searched the web last night and found both the paint and stamp. I may get the paint in time to complete Tim's challenge, but the stamps were in the US so they won't arrive - or will they? Post has been coming from over the pond within 6 - 8 days, so I may be lucky.

As for todays tag, I thought I had that one cracked 'til I reached the part with the metal flower. How cool is that technique then? Don't have any of those either!!! I shall come up with something though for both tags plus the next 10. Not going to be beaten this year.

My trip yesterday did have a result. I found some cutting/embossing frames which were a fraction of the nestabilities. They can be used in most die cutting machines, mine is a Big Shot, with just a bit of twiddling around with shims etc.. They are Nellie's multi frames and cost me £8.55 each. When I have a go, I'll post the result but it may get to the NY the way things are going.

Tomorrow is going to be a very fun day. I am meeting up with one of my ATC swapping buddies, we havn't met before, and we are going to Cardcraft Plus then on to the Dawn Bibby Design Studio. I reckon I should leave my purse at home on this trip!!!!

If my pal allows me, I shall blog a photo of us 'oodling' over the vaste stock of craft we come across.

DONE AND DUSTED!

All finished and wrapped - that's the Christmas presents sorted.

I've always got this bit over and done with early because I can't stand the stress of leaving all that shopping to the last minute then having to cope with the hoards of equally stressed Christmas shoppers. Even though I shop online quite a bit, there are always some things that have to be bought locally from shops. Besides, there are other things to do in December such as:

TIM HOLTZ 12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS

Once again, Tim has decided to create his infamous 12 tags from 1 December to the 12th. You know what I shall be doing from next Tuesday. I have spare ink cartridges ready for my printer so I can print off each set of details daily and make a binder that I refer to throughout the year. Thank you Tim for this exceptional experience.

Also, the dates are now coming in for next years crafting. I have booked 2 of Lindsay Mason's workshops at the Dawn Bibby Design Centre which I know will be so exciting.

Heather, Lindsay's sister, has also planned some more ATC swaps which I await with anticipation. So, crafty excitment galore.

Heather has blogged some photos of ATCs she has made this week. Do check out her blog as there is candy to be had too. On one of her cards she used a photo of her Christmas tree from last year. What a smashing idea. Here's a photo of mine Heather, I wonder what you think of that?

SPOOKY CRAFTER

Made it after all to Dawns today for the demo weekend.

Look who I saw. This spooky crafter did remind me of someone, but I wonder who?

She was very good at demonstrating Ranger products and had some fantastic cards etc on display. Her finger nails left a lot to be desired though as did the spiders dangling in her hair.

I wonder if Tim Holtz knows of her!!!

A TRIP TO DAWN'S

I don't need an excuse to visit the Dawn Bibby Design Studio and shop. I mean what crafter would?

My hubby had taken one of his helicopters to a place in Burnley for a diagnostic check and needed to pick it up yesterday. As Church, where Dawn's shop is, is only down the road, I just had to go with him, well didn't I?

Anyway, I really struggled (not) to find what I needed, but had no difficulty in finding things I wanted - you know what I mean I'm sure.

I managed to get some more of the new Tim Holtz alcohol inks. Just need 6 more of the lights and 5 of the brights then I have a full set! Ok I didn't need them but I really wanted them!!! It's the same, isn't it?

Managed another card yesterday. A lovely image and gorgeous Magenta papers. Just love the wine colour, it's so rich and warm. What do you think?

DIDN'T LINDSAY DO WELL

I thought Lindsay did an excellent job last night on QVC. As always though, not enough time and I wanted to watch her all night, then I'm just greedy. Those fairy and owl cards were amazing. I was 'drooling' over them. So Lindsay, WELL DONE. When is the next show?

Now for a little 'spooky' tale.

I sent Lindsay a card to boost her spirits a bit and hope she had fun on her first tv appearance. She so kindly thanked me on her blog for it and said she would take it to QVC with her for a bit of luck. Its the orangey one on the shelf behind her. I heard today from a lady I met at the Tim Holtz demo at Dawn's studio a year last February. We have only ever met once and have formed a friendship over the web since. Guess who had sent Lindsay the gorgeous cat card also on the shelf????????????

Neither of us knew that the other had sent cards. How amazing was that?
Hope the photos are acceptable. It's not easy taking them from the tele, but I just had to relate this tale.

SO MUCH TO DO

Where does time go?

I've 'plodded' my way through the last 3 days and not done a fraction of the things I need to complete. This morning was spent shreading paper and clearing out drawers. I didn't stop either but the morning just flew by. The worse thing of all is the fact that I havn't done one bit of crafting!

I coloured some lovely Sugar Nellie images whilst away last week and had all intentions of making them into cards this week, but no!

Right, plan of action - again. Check when it's going to rain so that any washing gets done, check rest of list and ......oh blow all of that, I'm going to plan some crafting time.

Watch out tomorrow, here she comes!!!

SUNBATHING

Not had chance to blog lately because the sun came out!!!

Being a rare sight I just had to make the most of it and now have a lovely tan, (got a lot of white bits still though!) I tried to compute outside and despite being in the shade, couldn't see the screen so I gave up.

I've managed to complete my stack of cards for the troops and have made 51 A6 to go abroad and 38 to sell for funds towards our returning injured lads. I'll take them to Dawn's next weekend when I go to Lindsay's workshop.

Having read Leonie's blog about her piece in the Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine, I bought it. However, it led to a bit of a spend becaue I fell in love with Sugar Nellie stamps. Made by Funkykits they are gorgeous. Must have more!! I bought 2, Fragile Beauty and Country Garden and spent some time yesterday simply colouring in the images. I'll pop on a photo of a card I made later in the summer because it's for my lovely step daughter and she will see it before she should if I show it now.

We have had the most amazing time for over 12months now, feeding birds in the garden. The number of different species visiting us is unbelievable. There are 2 pairs of blackbirds coming, both of which appear to be on their 2nd batch of young. Mrs Blackie was also inspired by the sunshine to do a bit of bathing in it!!

A BIT OF A BREAK

I've had a bit of a break from blogging for a few days while I make some cards for Dawn's support of our troops. When I go over to her shop and Lindsay Mason's workshop next month, I shall take them and keep my fingers crossed they are suitable for the cause.

Inbetween though, I have managed a couple of ATCs and this is one of them. It's covered with material on the outside and inked and stamped on the inside. A bit of fun.

I hope to update my Flickr later with pics of the gorgeous ATCs I have received from 2 of my swapping pals.

On a sad note, I just want to send Tim Holtz and his family my thoughts and support at this sad time. He had to let his gorgeous 14yr old dog, Cooper, go this week. I know only too well what he is going through just now.

CARDS FOR OUR TROOPS

Please have a look on Dawn Bibby's blog for details on how to support our troops, both here and abroad, through making cards - our favourite hobby.

Dawn has set up a link with the forces, which I believe Rena is going to control, whereby we can send cards to her studio for sale and the proceeds will go support those lads and lasses who have been injured in service.

The other side to our support for the troops abroad is to make cards to send out so they can then send them home to their friends and family. After all, where are the card shops in Afghanistan?

I made Christmas cards last year and honestly they were some of the best cards I've ever made. I was so inspired by what I was doing and why. Just have a go and see what you come up with.

WHILST WATCHING QVC

Whilst watching Dawn on QVC this afternoon, I managed to make another Toby scrapbook page.

These photos were taken in our first motorhome, a Compass Drifter, which we had purchased following a drive out one weekend!!

A nice van but boy! did we have trouble with it. Having said that, we kept it over 4 years before buying our first 6-wheeler, an Autotrail Arapaho. I loved that one and only let it go for some lovely gizmos we saw in the first Kontiki Z. That one was awful and we only kept it 10 months before trading it in - at a massive loss - for our current van, a Hymer 694, another 6-wheeler. All have been bought from new but I would never buy new again. The VAT man has had quite enough from us over the years.

Anyway, whichever motorhome we have had, Toby always found the most comfortable place he could, which was usually either over the cab in the first 3 vans, or in the pull-down bed in the current one. Infact, the Arapaho and Kontiki had cupboards over the cab and we had to leave the doors open so he could cuddle up in the bedding, which we stored there. Only when he couldn't jump up did we have to make a bed up for him elsewhere. He was always comfy and loved every minute of camping.

We went away with friends for the weekend last January and as we have Toby back home with us, he came with us again. We will always take him as long as we still have a van..........

DAWN'S DEMO WEEKEND

Here are some pictures of some of the unbelievable cards Dawn was making yesterday plus one of Lindsay and another of Leonie.

My head is spinning with all the things I saw and unfortunately, now want. Been out this morning to buy a packet of straws. I guess I shall be blowing ink all over the place later. Also managed to book Lyndsay's workshop on 14 June. Can't wait for that. And, my melting pot may get it's first use following Dawn's demo, in which she made it look easy and not so daunting - she says!!

Can anyone tell me how to upload photos inbetween paragraphs or at the end of a blog? I only seem to be able to make them appear at the top.