Christmas

Hi everyone as I probably wont be back blogging till the new year, I just want to say that I hope you all have a very merry christmas and I hope that santa brings you all the crafting goodies that you have asked for. I will be back in the new year to hopefully see all your new cards using your new goodies. It has been a pleasure getting to know you all, and I really feel that I have made some lovely new friends even though I have only been blogging since October. I have seen so much friendlyness & kindness from people I am really looking forward to spending the next year with you all.

Be back soon love & hugs
Lyndsey xxx

Stamp Something Friday

The second card from me today is for the Stamp Something Friday Challenge. This week they have a skstch to follow. I love the simplicity of this sketch which can also be added to to give that little bit extra, however I have left mine quite simple as I wanted to keep the image as the main focus of the card.

The image is Postbox (i think) from Sugar Nellie, and was again kindly sent to me by the lovely Lesley. The papers are Basic Grey Urban Priarie, Dovecraft ribbon, Papermania pearl brads and computer generated sentiment. Hope you like.

Lyndsey xx

Sketch Saturday 30

Firstly before I show you my cards I have some fab news. I cant believe it but I actually won Dawny P's most fabulous blog candy. I had had a horrible day at work (was really quiet today think everyone had buggered off into town) and then developed a splitting headache about 3pm which I could not shift. Had to come home and lie down for an hour. Anyway had to get up as hubby was off to work, so whilst Abbies was watching one of her favorite films (which at the moment is anything to do with Wallice & Gromit) and Oli was otherwise occupied with his PS2 I decided to have a blog hop. Popped over to Dawny's blog and there is was, well I was chuffed I can tell you. I cant wait till after christmas when I receive it cause I am gonna have so much fun playing with all that stuff. Thanks so much Dawny for you generousity.

Anway on to my cards for tonight. I just love it when hubby is on nights, cause I get to play and make as much mess as I like without him moaning at me. So after the kids had been put to bed I decided to have a go at a couple of challenges.

This is my interpritation on the sketch over at Sketch Saturday (thought I would do this one early this week being as I was so late with it last week.

The image is Sweet & Sassy from Sugar Nellie, which was kindly sent to me by Lesley. The papers are Basic Grey Off Beat Collection,Prima flowers, Papermania rub-on sentiment and the ribbon & rose centre in the flower were from my shop. I rotated the sketch round as I had coloured this image today at work (yes we were that busy today!!!!) and really wanted to use it, so rotated the sketch to suit. Hope you like.

Lyndsey xx

One Stop Craft Challenge

Well I hope I havent bored you with all my new cards tonight. I have been a bit like the buses really havent I, not put anything on for a bit then, 4 come along at once lol!!!!!. This is the last one for tonight, I have caught up on all last Saturdays challenges so am ready now for tomorrows, once I have worked my way through the rest. This card is for the One Stop Craft Challenge Blog, where the theme was Buttons & Bells, you either had to include one or the other on your card or both if you had them. Well I didnt have amy bells but I have loads of buttons so here is my creation.

The image is Daisy from Sugar Nellie, kindly sent to me by the lovely Lesley. The papers are Basic Grey Urban Priaire, Dovecraft ribbon, Papermania rub-on sentiment & charm from ebay. The flower buttons are from my shop.

Lyndsey xx

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

I am still running behind with my challenges so I am trying to do all from last Saturday before its too late. This one is for last weeks Secret Crafter Challenge. There was a sketch to follow and this is my take on it.



The image was given to me an a swap and is called Nellie with crochet hat and scarf. The papers are Basic Grey Ambrosia (I just got these today and they are fab!!!! this photo does not do them justice). Brads are Papermania & ribbon bow and lace are from my shop.

Lyndsey xx

Penny Black Recipe challenge

Over on the Penny Black Saturday challenge site we were given a 3,2,1 card recipe. 3 Flowers, 2 Papers & 1 Ribbon.



The image is a Penny Black Stickeroo, papers are Basic Grey Eva collection, Prima flowers, Dovecraft ribbon, Charm from Ebay. Mini roses were from the haberdashery bit in my shop.

Lyndsey xx

Sketch Saturday No. 29

With christmas cards out of the way, children having a sleepover at grandparents and hubby at work. I am a free woman, so have been having a go at a few challenges tonight. This one is for Sketch Saturday, hopefully i am not too late with my entry.

The image was very kindly sent to me by the lovely Lynsey, Papers are Basic Grey Eva collection, Prima Flower, Butterfly charm from ebay and all other bits and pieces from the haberdashery part in the shop where I work.

Will be back with more soon.

Lyndsey xx

An Award

I received this lovely award from my blogging friend Lynsey, thanks so much Lynsey!
This award's rules are:- You have to give it to 5 others and link to those people as well as who gave it to you, Those 5 shall also pass it on to another 5 people, Plus you have to write down 5 things you are addicted too!

1. Cardmaking
2. Blog Hopping (get withdrawal symptoms if I cant get on the laptop for a few days)
3. Chocolate
4. Shoes & Handbags
5. Tidyness (i cant stand things messed up)

I am gonna be a chicken and pass on giving this to 5 people, as I visit so many fab blogs I would have a really hard time to narrow it down to just 5. So if you visit my blog and see this award and you dont have it, take it from me with much love.

Lyndsey xx

Quick Anniversay Card

This card is for my hubby's sister & brother-in-law. I made it really quick tonight, as here was I thinking I could give it to them when we meet up on Sunday for our annual present swaping. When I realised that there Anniversary was on Saturday so it really needs to go in the post tomorrow. The image is really a christmas one, but I thought it would suit being as they were married in December anyway.



The papers are HOTP, image is by Rachael Ann Miller, Dovecraft ribbon & heart charm from ebay. Sentiment is computer generated.

Lyndsey xx

ps Keep your fingers crossed for us tomorrow, we are at BCH with Abbie. Hopefully they will say she is doing well, has put on weight and is a good height and the cough swab wont show anything nasty up.

Its Official!!!!!

These are the last 2 christmas cards done and dusted, and thank bloomin god for that. I am now totally finished making the christmas cards for this year and I am so glad, have made well over 80 of them and it was begining to feel like a chore instead of a pleasure. Anyway got MIL card done off the kids & the last one of Rich's Sister & family.

Papers are HOTP, WOJ image Herb with pudding (one of the stamps I won off the lovely katharina) Dovecraft ribbon & computer generated sentiment.

Papers are Papermania A wonderful christmas time, Not sure of image (received in a swap) Dovecraft ribbon & computer generated sentiment.

Lyndsey xx

A crafters Christmas Poem

A Christmas poem for all crafters!

I found this brilliant poem on Chris's blog who found it on someone elses............. who doesn't know where it came from originally................ I thought it was great and decided to put in on here for you to see.
It will ring true with quite a few of us to say the least!

Twas the night before Christmas,
I’m glued to the tree.
I’m wondering what Santabrought just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said,
with a smile on my face.
And that’s when I heard him,
“Hi Santa, ” I said“
You know….good little girls
Should be in their beds.”
“I know I should Santa,
And now I’ve got caught.
But I was just so excited
To see what you brought.”
“Well, let’s take a look
In this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim
As he put it in gear.
“You’ve got enough crap,
I’ll see you next year!”

or was that just my hubby who said it!!!!!!!.

Lyndsey xx

Teachers Xmas cards

3 extremely quick cards, as Oli decided tonight he really wanted to send a handmade card to his teachers. I decided to do them the same just in case they opened them together and didnt want one of them thinking that one was better than the other( I know I probably worry too much but anyway).



Papers are from Craft House - Plum Pudding range, Forever Friends Stickers, Dovecraft ribbon & HOTP brads. Sentiments are computer generated. The white cardstock that the stickers have been put on has been chalked in yellow to take the brightness away and match in with the papers better.

Lyndsey xx

Brothers Xmas Card

This is the card I made for my brother and his partner, as you can see by the names on the card the usual images of couples could not be used so played it safe with a cheeky PB image.

Papers are again from HOTP, Penny Black image, Dovecraft snowflake brad and computer generated sentiment.

Lyndsey xx

Friday Sketchers meets my Mum's xmas card

Still in christmas card mode, but have nearly got there now only 1 more to phyiscally make. Decided to follow the fab sketch over on Friday Sketchers Blog to make my Mum & Stepdad's card.



The papers are from HOTP, the image I received in a swap (which my mum loved) and the sentiment is computer generated. All mating done with Sizzix cardstock.

Lyndsey xx

2 More Christmas Cards.

These are the other two cards I made last night. They dont fit into any of the challenges so Have just put them on to show you. The first is one I made for my Dad, Stepmom & Brother and the second is for one of my hubby's sisters and her family. We have all agreed this year to just send 1 card to each family as it was getting a bit too much and sometimes there could be 8 cards going into 1 house so we have cut it down this year.

Papers are HOTP, the image is House Mouse I chose this image to depict the 3 of them sentiment is computer generated, christmas flowers is from Hobbycraft and ribbon is Dovecraft.

papers are again HOTP, image is Forever Friends,Dovecraft ribbon & computer generated sentiment.

Lyndsey xx

Stamp Something Friday

Hi everyone, well I managed to get 3 cards done last night, would have done more but got engrossed in blog hopping. Anyway have just looked through this weeks challenges to see if any of the cards I made last night fit into any of them. The challenge on Stamp Something Friday is Red, Green & Gold. This card that I made for a friend of mine, who I have become friends with after meeting her at a Parents and Carers meeting for those who have children with CF. It is for her daughter to give to her Dad & Stepmom, she wasnt fussed about the colour or the image, just that it had to have Dad & Stepmom on it.



The Image is Rachael Ann Miller, papers are HOTP, Sizzix cardstock, christmas flower from Hobbycraft and computer generated sentiment. The papers have a mix of Red, Green & Goldy brown in them and the flowers has got gold glitter around it edges. Hope its ok for the challenge.

Lyndsey xx

Good news, bad news!!

Good evening everyone, not been on for a couple of days but it seems like forever. I'm not showing cards in this post, but am making some as we speak so they will be on later or tomorrow. I have some good news and bad news for you. I will start with bad, as you all know we had some probs with Abbie a while ago, but she came through and came off her nebulizer. The bad news is that she has now come down with a stinker of a cough and cold and is back on anitbiotics. We got her on them straight away so hopefully she will be ok for christmas. I know there is a lot of this going about but we have to be so careful with Abbie as even the slightest cold can turn into something nasty for her. Anyway now for the good news!!!!. If you remember a while back I filled in an application form for a charity called Dream Holidays - they arrange holidays for familes who have a child or children with CF, so that they can spend some time together away from the daily routine, and to have some time with the non CF child as well who can sometimes feel a bit left out due to the amount of time and attention a child with CF takes. Well we had a letter come through the post to say that our application has been successful and they have offered us a holiday. We have to choose a holiday from a british holiday firm such as Butlins,Pontins, Haven etc up the the value of £650!!!! we can choose where we like and what week we like as well. Then they even throw in another £300 spending money to cover the cost of our food for the week. Well I couldnt believe it I had to keep re-reading the letter, we never get anything for free so this was such a shock, but a good one at that so although we are a bit down about Abbie we are also on high about the holiday. Well I best get going now these cards are not going to make themselves. I cant wait till I finshed these last few xmas ones, I have had some lovely images sent to me from some kind blogging friends which i cant wait to use.

Lyndsey xx

I was doing some blog hopping this morning I came across this poem on Linda's blog. Please take time to read it at this special time of year. It mades you stop and think and pay tribute to all our forces who are not going to be at home for christmas and who do the best job in the world of keeping us all safe here at home. Please read and pass on. Hugs Lyndsey x



A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MESSAGET



'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.


I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.


I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.


NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.


WITH MEDALS AND
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,

IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.


THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.


THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER.


WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?


I REALIZED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.


SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.


THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.


I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.


THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.


THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;


I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY LAW."


THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.


I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.


I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.


" ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."


This poem was written by an Australian Peacekeeping soldier stationed overseas.The following is His request.I think it is reasonable PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favour of Sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will beComing soon and some credit is due to all of the service men And women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we Owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and Dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.Please, do your small part to plant this small seed. Regardless of our political persuasions, regardless of our colour, creed or religion, regardless of our age or our sex, we undoubtedly owe our freedom and safety to our heroes in the forces, I for one spent some quiet time today thinking of those brave men and women in foreign lands, far from home.



GOD BLESS OUR FORCES AND SECURE THEIR SAFE RETURN HOME.

One Stop Craft Challenge

The theme over at One Stop Craft Challenge is `Something Blue'. I am still in family card mode so made one blue to fit in with this challenge.



I used Willow with lantern from WOJ, Papers are from Hot off the Press, ribbon is Dovecraft and sentiment is computer generated. I didnt keep it all blue, but went for a bluey green as well. Willow has been cut out and layered on foam tape. I also chalked the background on the circle in blue to take the whitness off.



I then decided to do amother card with Willow, but used Lilac instead and a different layout. Papers are again from Hot off the Press. Again the bakcground round the image has been chalked in Lilac to take the whiteness off.

Lyndsey xx

Stamp Something Friday meets Kids xmas cards

Over at Stamp Something Friday the theme this week is SNOW, anything made of snow or that reminds you of snow. Well as you know I made hubby's card last week and when I gave it to him he asked me where the ones from the kids were, well I had completly forgot so quicky made him some whilst he was watching the footie. Anyway we were sat there tonight looking at the the card, as we had received some more and hubby said `you know what you havent done the kids a card off each other'. What sort of mother am I, I had forgot about these as well so guess what I have been doing tonight after I put the kids to bed!!!!.

This is Abbie's card off Oli, and I decided to put this to the Stamp Something blog as it was a snowman, The image was from a blogging friend and is called Herb. I do own a Herb myself but not this one so it was nice to receive it. The papers are from Papermania called A Wonderful Christmas Time, the ribbon is from Dovecraft and the sentiment is computer generated. I have experiment with this a bit by chalking round the image in yellow so as it wasnt brilliant white, although you cant really see it on the photo. But I think it gives a nice effect.

This card is for Oli off Abbie, again the image was received in a swap, papers are from DCWV & Dovecraft, ribbon is Dovecraft, sentiment is computer generated. Again I have dusted round the image with green chalk to take the whiteness off.

Lyndsey xx

Blog Award

I have been given this fab award by Shelly, thanks so much. As this is the second time I have received it I wont pick 5 people to send it to. But if you are a follower of my blog and havent had this award yet, please take it from me with much love as I do visit your blogs aswell and am always inspired by your creations.

Lyndsey xx

PIF Candy

I still have 2 packs of PIF candy left if anyone is interested. Only 1 person from the last lot gave me her address to send to. The other 2 have not sent me any details even after I emailed them and also put messages on their blogs to contact me. So the first 2 people who post a comment on this post and leave me their email address is welcome to it. please see previous post for picture of the PIF.

Lyndsey xx

Great-Grandaughter

As its her very first christmas my mum wanted me to make a special for for them to give to little Tallie. I used the same image on this card as I did with Abbies as I think it really suits a younger child or baby.

Papers are Craft House winter wonderland, Image is Rachael Ann Miller, snowflake from a Hobbycraft punch, brad was in my PIF candy from Caroline, bow and rose from stash & charm from Ebay.

Lyndsey xx

To my dad

These two cards have been made for my hubby from the kids. I had completely forgot about these and it wasnt until I gave him the card from me and he said have I got any off the kids that I realised. So while he has been watching the match tonight I made these with instructional help from Oli who told me what he wanted on the card and where.



The papers for this card came free with a craft magazine, I used one as the backing paper and for printing the sentiment on. The paper with the snowman on was mounted onto card, then I decuopaged the hat, scarf and gloves and applied glitter glue to the trims. Ribbon and snowflake brad are Dovecraft.



Papers are DCWV Christmas Wishes, Forever Friends sticker placed onto card, cut out and mounted with foam pads, Dovecraft ribbon & brads and computer generated sentiment.

Lyndsey xx

another christmas card

This card is for my sister and her family. Again I have not followed any challenges but just sort of played with the paper until I liked the layout. The image is another that I received from a blogging friend.



The papers are Papermania A wonderful christmas time, not sure of Image, Papermania ribbon & dovecraft santa charm. Greeting is computer generated.

Lyndsey xx

Hubby's Card

This card is what I made for my hubby. Again I sort of followed the sketch for Mojo Monday, but altered is slightly so suit my requirements. The image is another one that has kindly been sent to me from a blogging friend.



Papers are Craft House winter wonderland collection, Image is from Rachael Ann Miller, snowflake is from a punch from Hobbycraft, Papermania ribbon &b heart charm from Ebay.

Lyndsey xx

Christmas card for MIL

This card has been made for my husband's mum. I have sort of followed the Mojo Monday sketch and embrased the white. The card is another of those that I wanted a more traditional image and colour scheme as my MIL is 80. The image was kindly sent to me from a blogging friend and is a WOJ.



The papers are from Papermania, Images is WOJ, sentiment is computer generated, christmas flower from Hobbycraft, ribbon & lace from stash and silver heart charm from ebay.

Lyndsey xx

Special Cards

No challenges tonight I am desperately trying to get all my special cards made. I am starting to receive them now so I really need to be giving them out.
This first card is for my nan and grandad off my mom, she wanted something a bit more traditional as they are both in their 70's and are not really into cute and funky. The image is received from a blogging friend and I hope I have done it justice.



Papers are Papermania A Wonderful Christmas Time, Image is WOJ but not sure what it is called. Greeting was computer generated, christmas flower from Hobbycraft, red organza ribbon from stash & a little snowflake charm received from a blogging friend.

This next card is to my nan & grandad of me and my little brood. Again I have tried to keep to a more traditional card and am quite pleased with how it has turned out. I have to say though that the inspiration for this card came from the lovely Tab, who made a spectacular card with this image & colour scheme.



Paper is from papermania, Image is WOJ, christmas flower from Hobbycraft, greeting is computer generated and lace & brads are from stash.

Lyndsey xx

Secret Crafter Challenge

This is the second card that I have combined a challenge with, this time it is following the fab sketch over at the Secret Crafter challange. I have made the card for my beautiful little girl. The image was very kindly given to me by a blogging friend after I commented on how fab the image was. I really think its the perfect image to use on a baby's or young childs card.

The image I am not sure of, papers are Craft House Winter Wonderland, Core'dinations cardstock & papermania heart brads.

Lyndsey xx

Sketch Saturday

I didn't get reound to doing many blog challenges last week as I had to work 4 days (know I know most people work full time anyway, but when you only normally do 2 days a week + have 2 little ones to look after one of which takes a lot of time and attention its a lot to cope with) Housework went out of the window and so did most of my crafting time. Anyway hopefully this week I can get back on track, I do so love doing these challenges they do wonders for the inspiration. I still have all my special christmas cards to do so I am hopefully gonna be combining the challenges with these. So far I have managed 2, here are the results.

This card takes the sketch from Sketch Saturday and I have used it to make my lovely son's christmas card. Now he is & and not really into cute images but I had to work with what I had and I dont think its that bad .The only thing was once I had stuck the image on I realised it was a bit too low and looked at bit bottom heavy, so I put another piece of paper going across the top to try and balance it out.



Papers are Papermania A wonderful christmas time, Forever Friends sticker & Sizzix cardstock. Greeting is computer generated.

Lyndsey xx