Off on Holiday.

Had a bit of a spesh birthday the other day so not had time to craft/blog for ages. We have organised a little pre Chritsmas time away and so have been trying to get everything else done early.

The birthday celebrations started on Wednesday when I went for lunch with my workmates. They had all made a little mini card and stuck them inside a big card, wasn't that such a thoughtful thing to do? Thanks girls (and Alsie).

Then on Thursday we spent the day in Glasgow soaking up the festive atmosphere (the tree in Princes Square is fab). We then had a lovely meal in Two Fat Ladies. My darling husband had booked a suite in the Abode Hotel for the evening as a surprise. I had the best birthday ever.

So we are off now to the cottage at Greenends where I will paint, read, eat chocolate and have a few festive drinks (to ward off the cold you understand). I have six new stamps (now I know why he was hiding those mysterious jiffy bags) and can't wait to get stamping.

So everybody in blogland, unless DH can get his dongle to work, this may be the last post until after Christmas.

Have a good one.

Happy St. Andrews Day on 30th November

Get out your bagpipes and give them a right good blow. Then sit down, have a wee dram and a slice of shortbread.

Scotland Forever - Up yer kilt - hoots mon, theres a moose loose aboot this hoose!

Question - tell me who your fave Scot is.

Papertake Challenge Dawnys Sketch # 3

Phew, think I've caught up a bit now.

Haven't doubled this one up. Little Hamish is getting this challenge all to himself.

Cupcake # 15 and A Spoon Full Of Sugar # 27

Here is the second of my doublers. This follows the great sketch by MichelleO on Spoon Full and also this weeks theme on Cupcake ' Sweets and Treats'.

I am never very sure of this mouse stamp by WhipperSnapper but I get it out now and then, use it and I'm still not sure whether or not I like it. Perhaps one day I will use him on a card that fits him perfectly and he will no longer live at the back of the cupboard.

LOTV # 9 and Sketch Saturday # 26

OK then, this is the first of my 'must double up these challenges or I won't get them done' cards.

It follows the fabby sketch on Sketch Saturday and also fits for Lili of the Valley ' Our Four Legged Friends'.

Friday Sketchers # 29

I followed the great sketch over on Friday Sketchers for this one.

I used one of my favourite little Penny Black stamps.

Cute Card Thursday #37 Snow & Snowflakes

The challenge this week is 'Snow & Snowflakes'.

OK, so it's Wednesday. I am therefore just in the nick of time for this one. It actually also follows last weeks Sketch Saturday but I was too late for that one. Ho hum, never mind.

I thought I had done the last of Christmas but got this stamp from Funky Kits (who can resist) and just had to use him right away.

So here is my resplendent snowman with three glistening snowflakes.

ABC and One Stop Craft Challenges

This week it is the letter R on ABC challenge. So, of course, it is R for ribbon. I have combined this with the great sketch on One Stop Craft and came up with this little card. I constantly have to double up themes 'cos there just ain't the hours I need in a day. Although I have to confess I find trying to 'marry up' the challenges a bit of fun and a challenge in itself.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #8 Decoupage

It was my wonderful Mums birthday on Thursday and this is the card I made for her. She loves decoupage and admired these images when we were at the recent craft show in Glasgow SECC.

It also happens to fit the bill for this weeks challenge on Secret Crafter.

Lili of the Valley Challenge 8

Here is the great sketch over on the Lili of the Valley challenge and the card I made using it.

Goodies I used - a lovely lotv fairy, paper by Overton House Designs, prima flowers, buttons and a teeny dot by Sue Dreamer saying 'wishes' (on the pink flower).

Cupcake Craft Challenge & Secret Crafter

On a bit of roll now and another two for one. This time I have used one of my bigshot dies instead of a stamped image. I had almost forgotten how much fun I have with these. I 'spotted' up the white card using my printer and that turned the little dogs into dalmations - aren't they cute!

The challenges were -

Cupcake Craft Challenge # 13 Spots and Dots

and

Secret Crafter Challenge # 7 Cute as a Button, well everyone knows how much I love my buttons so just had to do this one!

Goodies I used - Papermania paper pad 'sweet nothings',nesties, bigshot die ' dog', CB folder swiss dots, ribbon and buttons.

Papertake Weekly and Penny Black Saturday

This might be the last Christmas card, cos I'm getting a little bit fed up of them now. This fits two challenges this week.............

Papertake Weekly.......... Dawnys Sketch #2

Penny Black Saturday#23...........Monochromatic

Goodies I used - PB stamp Snowy, little sentiment stamp, scrap of snowflake paper, iced gems.

My Time to Craft, ABC, Cute Card Thursday.

Some time to myself at last, but I have a bit of catching up to do so this fits the bill for three challenges.

My Time to Craft Challenge number 36 is 'Snowmen' ....... ticks this box.

ABC Challenge is 'Q for Quick'........yep, it was about 15 minutes.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge number 36 is 'Red and Green'.......... so OK there is a touch of blue and a bit of white but red and green is there.

Goodies I Used - Stamp from Sforstamps, snowflake CB die, little blue gems, scraps of Christmas paper.

I'm a Winner

And here is my prize.

This gorgeous stamp.
So thanks to all at One Stop Craft Challenge.

Blog Candy Alert

Bev has the most fabbylicsious blog candy on offer so join in now for a chance to win!

Blog Awards

I have just been given these awards from the very talented Sally-Ann . Go see her blog now, you will not be disappointed.

At the moment I cannot find anyone who has not already been given these super awards so I will keep them up my sleeve until I find someone deserving.

Christmas Quickies

Life has been a bit hectic round these parts and I have not had the usual opportunity to indulge in my carding, but I did manage to do these quickies for Christmas (actually two of each). Hopefully I will have more time this week and can get back on track with some challenges.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge # 4

Another new stamp to use. This time a Penny Black. I think I am going thru' a pink phase! Anyhow this follows Donna's fabby sketch over on Secret Crafter.

One Stop Craft Challenge # 1

Came across this brand new challenge blog whilst out blog hopping the other evening. Another opportunity to use one of my new stamps. So thanks to Sharon for the great sketch!

Goodies I used - stamp from Funky kits, paper unknown and iced gems from craftwork cards.

Sketch Saturday # 22

Just can't seem to get enough of all these fabulous challenge sketches, but must get back to Christmas cards soon. I bought this stamp at the SECC from Funky Kits.

Goodies I used - stamp from Funky Kits, paper by K&Co 'small wonders girl', CB embossing folder, ribbon and a little daisy stamp.

Friday Sketchers # 25

Here is the sketch on Friday Sketchers.

I have turned the sketch on it's side and came up with this.

Goodies I used - Penny Black stamp 'gifts for you', paper by K&Co 'small wonders girl', card embossed by CB folders, ribbon and 'friends' charm.

ABC Nature & Papertake Dawnys Sketch #1

A two for one this week. Otherwise I simply wouldn't have time for all these fab challenge blogs. The challenge over on ABC this week is N for Nature. So a perfect opportunity to use my new stamp (bought at last weekends show at the SECC). I also followed Dawnys great sketch on Papertake Weekly.

As soon as I saw the squirrel stamp (although now I can't help thinking that it looks more like a kangaroo with a bushy tail) I thought of our resident nut nibbler Sammy. Here is Sammy in the spring doing what he does best.

Goodies I used - Stamp from Funky Kits, papers from a bitty scrap pad by Provocraft and ribbon.

Sketch Saturday # 21

Phew, just made it with this one. Great sketch to follow and one I am sure I will use again. Pop over to Sketch Saturday (link just over there) to see the design teams fab cards.

Goodies I used - stamp by penny black, papers by K&Co sparkly sweet, prima flowers and gems.

This Thursday # 18 Art from your Heart

Here is this weeks challenge -

So this week the title of the challenge is Art from your Heart. We have decided that we want you to create something from your heart, so you can use techniques you love, create something either about or for someone you love, You can use poems or music that you love as inspiration. In fact you can use anything you love as inspiration.

For this challenge I have used my Simon and Lola stamp. This stamp has a special place in my heart as the first time I used it the card I made was published in a magazine and that in turn encouraged me to start this blog. Up to then I did not know all these wonderful crafty blogs existed. So thanks Lola and Simon!

Goodies I used - Simon & Lola stamp, paper by makingmemories cosmo collection, swirls CB embossing folder, prima flowers, heart brads and ribbon.

Cupcake Challenge # 10

Love this sketch by Donna over on Cupcake Craft challenge. I have turned the sketch on it's side and came up with this.

Goodies I used - stamp by WhipperSnapper, prima flowers and pearls. The paper was a little bit I had left and can't recall the name.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge # 3

This week there is no sketch but a theme, set by the lovely KIM which is

"Blue, White and a little bit of snowflake!".

Again any project can be made as long as it fits with the theme.

That is this weeks challenge on Secret Crafter.

And here is my card which I think fits the challenge.

Goodies I used - Penny Black stamp 'you're a gift', winter wonderland paper, die cut snowflakes, ribbon and pearls.

Friday Sketchers # 24

This weeks sketch looks like this - and my card looks like this -

Goodies I used - Forever friends paper and stamp, cloth flowers, prima flowers and gems.

Lili of the Valley Challenge # 4

So here is this weeks fab challenge on Lili of the Valley -

Thank you for your cards last week, we had a great time visiting your blogs and seeing your great creations.
This week the challenge is a bit more Challenging (excuse the Pun)
321
We would like you to use 3 papers, 2 ribbons and 1 button or 1 brad on your creations this week.We can't wait to see what you come up with.

Yippee, get to use another button!

Goodies I used - Lili die cut cat, paper by Bo-Bunny - tutu dot, sugar dot and pink punch dot, black gingham ribbon, pink gingham ribbon and a very cute dotted button.

ABC Challenge M for Male

M is for Male
We would like you to create a male orientated project.
It can be a card, ATC, scrap page, anything you like.

I do find male cards quite tricky and usually seem to find myself going down the humorous route. So here is my prehistoric man going to work on his woolly mammoth.

Goodies I used - 'For Him' paper by papermania and Little Adventurers decoupage.

A Spoon Full of Sugar # 21 Lims Sketch

Here is the great sketch I followed for this card (another one for the Christmas box).

Goodies I used - Winter Woderland paper by Dovecraft, stamp 'Warm & Cold' by Penny Black, Cuttlebug die cut snowflakes, gems and a touch of glitter.

Spooooky Season This Thursday Challenge #17

What kind of Ghost has the best hearing?

Why the eeriest, of course!

Lili of the Valley #3 'Enchantment' & Secret Crafter #2

Well I've managed to pull off a one for two again.

I have used this sketch from Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge -

And my Lili of the Valley fairy fits this -

We would like to see your creations on the theme of

ENCHANTMENT

We are thinking of Fairies, Dragons, Unicorns, Witches etc, but we are sure you will come up with lots of ideas that we haven't even thought of...and don't forget you are not restricted to Lili of the Valley products or just stamping, be as adventurous as you like.

Goodies I used - Lili of the Valley fairy, paper from DejaViews paper tablet 'blue & raspberry', prima flowers and gems.

Friday Sketchers #23 & Cute Card Thursday #31

There are not enough hours in my evenings to do as many of these challenges as I would like. Why, oh why do my chosen 6 numbers not coming bouncing out that machine and I could while away the hours crafting by the beach, by the pool, on deck...........

I will never understand those who say 'oh I would get fed up with nothing to do all day'.

So, I have doubled up and hope that those concerned do not mind.

Here is the fab sketch from Friday Sketchers I have followed -

And here is the challenge on Cute Card Thursday -

Challenge 31 Buttons + Bows

This week we would like to see some buttons and bows on your cards.

Well the minute I see the word button mentioned it is a 'must do'.

Goodies I used - Flower Girl Stamp by the Stamp Boutique, paper from a pad by ProvoCraft ' ginghams & stripes', prima flower, ribbon and buttons.

Cupcake Challenge #8

Here is my take on the fab sketch on this weeks Cupcake challenge. I have flipped the sketch on it's side to suit my Cuddly Buddly image.

Goodies I used - Charley stamp by Cuddly Buddly, Pink Punch Dot paper by Bo-Bunny, prima flowers, brads and ribbon.

My Time to Craft Challenge #32 Teddies

Here is this weeks challenge on 'My Time to Craft' -

Hi everyone, thanks for taking part last week, it's time for another challenge!! We've picked something really cute 'Teddies' so get all your teddy bear stamps out and get creating. The design team have made some really beautiful cards this week, they really are fab!

So here is my teddy of the moment.

Goodies I used - Forever Friends Ted stamp, prima flowers, brads, glossy accents and ribbon.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #1

Here is my take on the great sketch over on Secret Crafter.

Goodies I used - Forever Friends teddy with balloon stamp, FF paper (party time), nesties, CB embossing folder, prima flowers, ribbon and pearls. Oh and glossy accents on the balloon.

Lili of the Valley Challenge #2 Nikki's Sketch

I just discovered this new challenge blog the other day. And guess what? I have a sheet of Lili's gorgeous die cut fairies that I now have an excuse to use (as if I need one).

The challenge was to follow Nikki's fab sketch and don't worry if you don't have any Lili products the challenge is open to everyone.

Goodies I used - Lili of the Valley fairy, paper by Daisybucket, ribbon, prima flower, gems and a button.

Brothers Birthday

Soon this card will be making the long journey to the other side of the world. All the way to New Zealand for my young brothers birthday. My Mum has been to visit twice but I fear it is just too long a journey for me (I am not a good flyer).

My beautiful nieces Catriona and Eilidh.

So have a good one bro' and give those girls a big hug from me.