Papertake Weekly Challenge - my winner!

Hello. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Santa brought you loads of crafty goodies! 

Mr BforB and I are now gearing up for Hogmanay - woohoo!!

Anyways, I'm just popping on to announce the winner of my Papertake Weekly Challenge giveaway. And it's you -

 The Craft Bucket (Jane)

Email me your addy and I will get your goodies to you as soon as possible.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share the last ever  Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

 This week the challenge is... 

 

Any Previous Papertake Challenge

(including Anything Goes)

 

 We have a very generous prize from our sponsor. A $25 gift voucher to spend in the wonderful online shop that is Simon Says Stamp.

  

Well, like I said last week, the Papertake Weekly Challenge is drawing to a close. We would like to thank everyone who has entered over the past eight years and have made the challenge such a success. So, some of the team have extra little prizes on their blogs. To win my prize - a Glitz paper pad, a pack of Glitz Whatnots and a 7Dots Studio stamp set you need to leave a comment here and also enter a card into the Papertake Challenge. Easy peasy, right?

The winner of my giveaway will be announced when the Papertake Weekly Challenge closes on Tuesday 29th December 2015.

For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!  

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

  It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

This week the challenge is... 

Winter Birthdays

 

 This week's sponsor is The Ribbon Girl. A £10 voucher to spend in their gorgeous shop. 

 

For my card I stencilled a heart using a brush and some distress ink. Stamped the sentiment on the top. Then stamped my little Penny Black bear, watercoloured, trimmed around and popped it on the card using some foam pads. A sprinkle of sequins and job done!

 

And now I have some sad news. Next week is going to be the last ever Papertake Weekly Challenge. After eight wonderful years we have decided to hang up our Papertake hats. But we are not going quietly, so check back next Tuesday for loads of surprises!

 

 For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!  

Planner update

Hello. It's been ages since I did a blog post about my planner. In fact I think the last time I shared my planner I was still using my Staples Arc. Since then I have dabbled with a Paperchase planner and now, and my favourite so far, a Happy Planner.

I love that the Happy Planner is more 'crafty'. The pages are much thicker and it's ripe for decorating! Any excuse to buy stickers and washi tape. And last week I did that very thing and today a little parcel of planner goodies arrived from Mrs Brimbles. Mrs B also has a great Facebook group full of planner addicts who share inspiration and top tips.

And, oh dear, that's not all on the planner front. Create and Craft (not a shop I usually use) were having a clearout sale of their Websters Pages planners, too good a bargain to miss. So I bought two, as you do! The inserts are 2015 but that's easily remedied. Will share a pick of them soon.

See you tomorrow, it's Papertake Weekly Challenge time.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

This week the challenge is... 

Fun, Fun, Fun

 We have a very generous prize from our sponsor The Hobby House.

 £10 to spend in their fabby shop.

For my card I decided that taking selfies was fun (although, personally, I have never taken a selfie - I hate my photograph being taken) but I think it does look like fun!

I used my 'Photo Bomb' stamp set by Mama Elephant. It has a co-ordinating die set that make the stamps look like little polaroids. The background was diecut using my brand new 'CrissCross die by Paper Smooches. I think you will be seeing a lot more of that die - it's very cool!

For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!  

Call Me

Hello. I managed to squeeze in a wee hour of craftiness this morning. It's a busy time of year, the Christmas clean, extra shopping trips, stuff you want to get done before the big day (you know - like fit new toilet seats!) So, blogging and making has taken a bit of a back seat these last few weeks (although I haven't been entirely slacking, two magazine commissions in the bag).

Anyways, here is the result of my efforts. Pretty quick and pretty simple. The stamps are from the 'Keep in Touch' set by Clearly Besotted and the papers are 'Happy Things' by Pinkfresh Studio.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

This week the challenge is... 

 

Anything Goes

(optional extra - make a gift for Christmas)

 

We have a very generous prize from our sponsor- 

Lili of the Valley

(a £10 gift voucher to spend in their gorgeous shop)

 

My card features everything Trimcraft. In fact it is one of the cards I demo'd at The Range on Sunday! I covered the die cut Poinsettias with glitter glue - I wish you could see the sparkle.

For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!  

 

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

 Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

 This week the challenge is... 

Take Your Pick

from...

 Colour -red and/or green

Technique - add glitter

Product - a bauble shape

Sketch.... 

..or any sketch from the Papertake library of sketches!

So, plenty to choose from there. We have a very generous prize from our sponsor. A $25 gift voucher to spend in the wonderful online shop that is Simon Says Stamp.

 

 I chose the colour challenge for my card. The stamp is 'snowpals' by WhipperSnapper. It was one of the first stamps I ever bought. I came accross it in a small craft shop, can't remember where, and had to buy it. I don't even know if the company still exists (I must google it sometime). Certainly the stamps are not easy to come by in the UK - unless you can tell me different!

I stamped onto watercolour card and coloured with my Inktense watercolour pencils. The background pieces were all cut using My Favourite Things dies.

  For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!  

 

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

Hello. Well, a dose of the winter vomiting bug put paid to having more fun with my new stamps! From Thursday evening it was all the way to Sunday before I felt human again. I had to cancel my Trimcraft demo - and I really hate to do that! 

Anyhoo, it's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

This week the challenge is... 

Let It Snow

 

 This week's sponsor is The Ribbon Girl. A £10 voucher to spend in their gorgeous shop. 

My card is really quite self explanatory - quick and easy. But I really wish you could see how the gold glitter flakes sparkle.

For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!  

12 days of Christmas

Hello. Well, not quite 12 days just the first three. I had time to play with my two new SugarPea Designs stamp sets this afternoon (while it was blowing a gale, and even worse is forecast for later tonight). The set of images is called 'Everyday is Christmas' and the sentiment set is '12 Days of Christmas'.

Most of the little images, if not all, could be used on non Christmassy cards. So it's going to be a useful set to have. All the background dies are by My Favourite Things and I coloured using Copic markers pens.

Days 4, 5 and 6 will, hopefully, be along soon. If I get a wiggle on!

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

This week the challenge is... 

  

Christmas Critters

 

For my card I used a Penny Black wood mounted stamp 'welcome party'. I trimmed around each image 'cos I wanted to change the order. I just thought the two taller critters looked better on either side of the cat! I coloured using watercolour pencils and the little sentiment tag is from Lili of the Valley.

For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!  

Dashing Through the Snow!

Hello. I have a quick little card to share today. The stamp is 'Dashing' by Avery Elle and sooo easy to colour. I added some sparkle using sequins and gems and a little bit of twine - job done!

And, oh my, a huge thank you for all the lovely comments on the crafty room makeover. I'm enjoying every minute in my new space. See you tomorrow - it's Papertake Weekly Challenge time!

 

You Make My Tail Wag

Hello. The other week we needed a dog sitter as Mr Buttonsforbrains and I had tickets for a concert and wanted to make a day of it in Glasgow's west end. My sister-in-law kindly stepped in and spent the day with Boyd.
He was totally spoiled by his auntie and the next day he asked if he could make a card to thank her. This is what he came up with - we have one talented dog, don't you think?

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

This week the challenge is... 

 

Anything Goes

(optional extra - make a gift for Christmas)

 

We have a very generous prize from our sponsor- 

Lili of the Valley

(£10 gift voucher)

 

For my card I used stamps from the Santa's Elves set by My Favourite Things and coloured using Copic pens. The background was cut using MFT Stitched Cover Up Diagonal Die-namic.

 

 For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!  

 

It's Done! Crafty Room Makeover

Hello. It all took a bit longer than planned, but these things do don't they? Not helped by a tooth extraction and the two day migraine that followed. Anyway, that gave Mr Buttonsforbrains more time to give the walls a second coat and build the furniture. So working around the room this is my Raskog trolley and the left side of the desk. The trolley holds all my colouring gear - copics, watercolours, pisma pencils, stabilo pens, inks etc etc. The desk is a large table top that simply sits on the drawers at one end with the other end attached to the Kallax eight cube unit using a couple of clever little brackets.

I have loads of space compared to my old little desk. I also now face out the window so it's much brighter. My Big Shot plus is handily right beside me - makes such a huge difference.

Swinging further round here are the top four cubes of the Kallax unit. The top nearest cube holds all my planner stuff. The cube below that, in the white basket, are my dies. Now all neatly stored in CD wallets on magnetic sheets - it's working well. The other four cubes below the desk hold lesser used items.

Then there was a change of plan. I was going to get some deep drawers for this length of wall but I loved the cube unit so much that I decided to get a second and have it lengthways. This means I can have some baskets along the top (although I don't know where those natural ones originate from cos' they are a bit smelly!)

 I already had the little unit that the printer and laptop (when not in use) sit on.

And moving right round to the wall opposite the window, another last minute decision. This is a Hjalmaren ladder shelf. It's really cool and I love it!

 Beside the ladder shelf is my spare chair for any guests that want to come and play!

And finally (thanks for sticking with me) close ups of a couple of the things on the walls. This butterfly free motion applique is from Sunroom Sewing. It matches my Mint Macaroon walls perfectly.

And this is my pride and joy. A cross-stitch sampler made by my Mum. I have quite a few of her cross-stitches but this one is my all time favourite.

 So there we have it, I'm a very lucky girl. Now, where did I put that cute little hedgie stamp?

The Makeover has begun!

Hello. I love to have a nosey at other crafters spaces and makeovers so thought I would share mine. This morning I took the first step. I emptied this unit which we have had for many years (it was orginally in my hubby's flat). Oh dear, is that a line of dust I see? Anyway, it was quite easy to empty as it mostly held my stamps and papers which were all in baskets.The unit will be replaced by a couple of these...

 They are from Ikea (where else) and are called Kallax. I have also chosen one of these...

This will fit under the new desk. Well, I say desk, I have actually chosen to have a large table top instead of a desk. The opposite wall will have a row of these.....

The walls are going to get a coat of Mint Macaroon (doesn't that sound yummy) on Sunday and the furniture is due to be delivered later in the week.

 So that's the plan. Fingers crossed it all works out, I'll post an update soon!

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

This week the challenge is... 

Two by Two

(two images, two papers, two embellies etc, etc!)

We have a very generous prize from our sponsor The Hobby House.

 £10 to spend in their fabby shop.

For my card I used stamps from the 'Little Elves' set by Clearly Besotted, super cute! The two die cuts for my background are 'Wonky Stitches' and 'Scalloped Frames' both by AveryElle.

For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

See you there!