O' Christmas Tree

Evening,

How are you all doing? Hope you've all had a lovely Christmas. We had a nice relaxing and quiet time which was lovely.

I've been having a play today with some clarity stamp letters that I got for Christmas from my friends Sheila and Tom... I love them thank you. So useful. 

I wanted to do a card for the Clarity Stamp challenge which runs out today. My favourite carol is O'Christmas Tree but I didn't have any Christmas stamps so I made my own stencil from a tree die and used the stamp shown below to add some texture.  This is my last Christmas card of 2016. A little head start for next year.

Hope you like it.

Challenge:

clarity stamp challenge-new-challenge-carol-singing-christmas(O'Christmas Tree)

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-314-anything-goes-as long as its christmas

christmas at sweet stampin challenge blog december-inspired-by-song-or-singing(O'Christmas Tree)

pink gem challenge blog-184-anything-christmas-goes

I'm feeling so much better with my Asthma today so I've made some banana loaf buns and a quiche for tea. The buns didnt rise much but taste okay. Must go as tea is nearly ready.

Have a nice night whatever you're up to.

Hugs Debbie xx

Merry Christmas

Hello all,

Long time no see.... apologies I've been poorly with my asthma and a chest infection for the last 3 weeks.So I've been lying low trying to get better. I started with it at the end of my holiday in Scotland. Oh well I had a fun time staying with my Mum and Bob. 

Anyway I'm here to wish you all:

"a Very Merry Christmas."

Have a super time no matter what you're doing.

We've not opened our pressies as we are waiting to do it when Shannen arrives. She's working bless her. She was supposed to be here for 4pm but it's so busy it's going to be 5pm now. No rush. We are having a nice relaxing day.

Here's a card I sent to our dear friends Sheila and Tom made with an Indigo blu Christmas tree stamp, heat embossed with silver.

Challenges:

indigo blu blog challenge december-challenge-snow-snow-snow

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-313-use-sentiment

christmas blog challenge for-someone special/happy-new-year

cutie pie challenge-106-day-in-snow

christmas at sweet stampin challenge december-inspired-by-song-or-singing ('O Christmas Tree')

Thank you for all your kindness and support this year. You've all been amazing. I'm slowly getting back to commenting. Bear with me please.

Take care.

Hugs Debbie xxxx

Lots of Sparkle

Hi all,

How are we all today? Hope you're all well and busy with your Christmas preparations....
I was so lucky to come in the Top 3 in the last Monochrome challenge over at Indigo blu. We have been asked to do a piece for the reminder post. So why not pop over by clicking the link below and join in using your Indigo blu stamps.Indigo blu blog challenge November Glisten and Sparkle .

I used craft card and clear embossing powder. Plus lots of glitter of course.

Challenges:

crafty calendar challenge december-challenge-christmas-time

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-310-vintage-or-anything Christmas

sparkles forum challenge-86-christmas-is-coming

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge 2.extra-for-december

Have a great day whatever you're doing. I am travelling home from my week away in Scotlandd with my Mum and Bob. It's been so lovely. I've missed home though so back to Hubby, Hunter the dog and Shannen who have been holding the fort.

Big hugs

Debbie xxxx

Christmas wrapping

Hi all,

It's the 1st of the month so

it's time again for a new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas.

It's my turn to choose the theme this month which is:

'Anything but a card'

it could be wrapping paper, a tag, gift card, box, etc...

I decorated a gift bag and made a gift card holder too.

We have been sponsored this month by the lovely Caz, Thank you very much dearie.

Why not join in with us, we'd love to see what you've made. The other teamies have created some inspiring makes. Just click on the badge below.

Challenges:

crafty sentiments glitter-challenge

allsorts challenge week-391-anything-christmas

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-309-use-sentiment

crafty creations challenge 329-christmas.

creative craft cottagechallenge-76-anything-goes

Thanks for popping by to see what I've been up to. Have a lovely week whatever you're up to. I'm still up in Scotland until Sunday. I'm having a wonderful time it is home from home here. Thank you for your lovely comments as always. Take care.

Hugs Debbie xx

Anniversary card

Hi all,

Well the good news is my test results are back and I don't have to have any treatment for my bowel cancel....whoopee!!!! The cancer was contained in the polyp they removed.  It took a few days for the news to sink in but I feel like a weight has been lifted at last. It's time my family and friends to have a break from worrying about me. I've got to go for regular check ups for both the Ovarian and bowel cancer but that's the easy part. Phew.....

Thank you for all your support and for hanging on in there with me while I've been going through all this. 

Anyway here is my card for today using one of my first Clarity stamp stencils which I go back to time and time again. I've also used the wee folk stamps and the letterbox letters.

Challenges:

clarity stamp challenge-blast-from-past-new-challenge. - stencil that I go back to time and time again.

Lil patch of crafty friends challenge 46
craft your passion challenge-339-always-anything-goes
creative moments challenge-107 anything goes
Crafting from the heartchallenge-137 anything goes

I am going up to Scotland for a weeks holiday to my Mum and Step Dad's. I can't wait. It's been over 2 years since I last had a holiday up there but I'll try to keep popping into blogland while I'm there. I go on Saturday. 
Thanks for popping by and leaving such wonderful comments.

Hugs Debbie xxx

Christmas wishes

Hi all,

Apologies that it's been a couple of weeks since I last blogged. I've been feeling abit off colour and had a few relapses with my M.E. then my hospital appointment that I'd been waiting for was cancelled due to my specialist nurse being ill so I was gutted. These things happen I understand but I'd banked on getting my results after the tests I'd had in September. Anyway I go this Wednesday. 

I thought it was time I got cracking and made a few more xmas cards.

Here's a card I've made today using my new Indigo blu stamps. I ordered a lucky dip indigo blu bag from Hochanda for £25 (the contents were worth £85) and wow was I impressed. See my pictures below. I also bought a trailing flower bush so I could use my £10 voucher too. Bargains.

  

  

Challenges:

indigo blu blog challenge-october-challenge-monochrome

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge 2-extra-for-november

abc christmas challenge w-for-wishes

the paper shelter challenge-272-christmas-is-coming

sir stamp alot challenge november-anything-christmas

christmas at sweet stampin challenge blog anything-christmas-goes

Thanks for popping to see me.

Hugs Debbie xxx

Holly and the Ivy

Morning,

It's the 1st of the month so

it's time again for a new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas.

It's the lovely Sandra's turn to choose the theme this month which is:

'Holly and ivy'

I used: a Sue Wilson holly die, 

a Sheena Douglass ivy stamp fussy cut,

a snowflake embossed background

and a Penny Black tree and sentiment stamp.

 

Why not get some of  your Christmas cards done and join in with us. The other teamies have made some beautiful creations. Just click on the badge below.

The prizes this time is from the lovely Sandra, so thanks again dearie.

Much appreciated.

Challenges:

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-305-anything-goes-as long as it's christmas

allsorts challenge week-387-lets-make-start-on-christmas
crimbo-crackers challenge-118-die-cuts.
crafting by designs get-ready-for-christmas

Thanks for popping by to see what I've been up to. Have a lovely week whatever you're up to.

Hugs Debbie xx

Friends

Hi all,

I'm back again today to share a card I made yesterday for my friend sheila. It's quite different for me. Lots of ink, my Clarity stencil and stamps.Nice autumnal rustic colours.

Just a quick post today as I've been at hospital, thank you for your good wishes. So kind and thoughtful dear friends.We had a coffee beforehand then went for lunch and to a couple of shops as Shannen needed a few bits. I've not been home long so a cuppa and a rest is in order with my hubby and Hunter the dog.

Challenges:

clarity stamp challenge a-new-month-new-challenge - circles or squares

fussy-and-fancy-friday-challenge-175-shades of autumn(fall)
Addicted to stamp challenge-217-make-your-mark.
Sir stampalot challenge -October challenge-autumn
word art Wednesday challenge weeks-254-255-anything-goes
As you like it challenge - do-you-prefer-old-or-new-stash-and-why? I like both but when you revisit some old stash you always think of something different to do with it. It's a challenge too.

Thanks for your lovely comments as always and for popping to see me.

Hugs Debbie xx

Lots of pink!!!

Hello all,

How are we all doing this evening? Hope you're all well. Thanks for popping by to see me.

I made this card for my Mum a while ago now for Shannen to give her. I used my creative expressions stamp which I love and the background of roses is a clearly besotted stamp. 

Challenges:

Corrosive challenge by Janet - 10-pink-for-awareness

Dream valley challenges-143-one-for-girls

ribbon girls October-any-image-challenge

In the Pink challenge-106-lots-of-layers

Creative moments of craft challenge-105 anything goes (optional twist of spooktacular). Mine is anything goes.

It's all go here. My husband has been decorating the house bit by bit. The lounge and bedroom ceiling have been freshened up today. Busy busy. I've been crafting while he's been painting. I'm at the hospital tomorrow for my first appointment with Genetics, Shannen is taking me bless her. It's to discuss any tests and monitoring I may have to have due to the cancers in my family as well as my ovarian and bowel cancer. I get my Virtual CT test results next week to see How I'm doing. It's all appointments lately. Onwards and upwards eh...

Sending you all hugs

Debbie xxxx

Autumn colours

Hi all,

Thank you for visiting and all your lovely comments on my last post. You are so kind.

I've been playing with my inks and my friend's stamps again. All stamps are indigo blu. I did a resist back ground with their leaf stamp and white embossing powder.

Today I've been to my friend Julia's house for a cuppa and a catch up which was nice. She's not been keeping so well so it was nice to be able to get out and take her some flowers.

Challenges:

sweet stampin challenge blog autumn
indigo blu blog september-challenge-autumn-wildlife
deep ocean challenge -139-favorite-season-Autumn
Lets create challenge-118-halloween autumn fall
penny black at allsorts october-challenge-autumn

Hope you're all well and keeping cosy as it's getting abit chilly now.

Have a nice weekend whatever you're up to.

Hugs Debbie xxx

Happy Birthday Daughter

Hi all,

I'm popping by today to wish my beautiful daughter a

'Happy 22nd Birthday!'

She loves shabby chic and vintage things so I had to make her a special card. The papers are Polkadoodles, freebie stamps, Tonic punch, Clearly besotted word stamps.

We popped round to her house this morning at 10am to watch her opening her pressies.

We are going out for a meal tonight me, Shamus, Shan and her boyfriend Nath.

She had a party at the pub on Friday as I was too ill to celebrate her 21st last year, bless her. It was a good night. She also raised £60 that night for the hospital I had chemo at in Hull, bless her. it is now at £100. I'm so touched and proud of her.

Challenges:

ribbon girls october-card-challenge-anything goes

di's digi designs challenge add-sentiment-challenge

fab n funky challenge-321-include-word-happy
through the purple haze challenges 110-birthday
star stampz layer-it-up-challenge

Hope you're all well. Thank you for popping by to see me. I've not been managing to comment lately, but I'm hoping to catch up with you all soon.

Big Hugs

Debbie xx

Show me a Snowman....

Morning,

It's the 1st of the month so

it's time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas.

It's the lovely Caz's turn to choose the theme this month which is:

'Show me a Snowman'

It has to be a prominent feature

For my slim card I used a kanban Snowman stamp with an embossed paper and a stamped music backing paper. A few snowflakes and a sentiment and it was finished.

Why not get ahead with your Christmas cards and join in with us. The other teamies have 

made some beautiful creations. Just click on the badge below.

The lovely Caz has sponsored us this month so a big thank you dearie. It's a great prize.

Challenges:

fab n funky challenge-320-christmas

abc christmas challenge t-is-for-two ( 2 backing papers)

addicted to stamps challenge-213-holiday (Christmas)

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-301-vintage-or-anything goes
crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge 2-extra-for-october-2016

Thanks fro popping by to see what I've been up to. Have a lovely weekend whatever you're up to.

Hugs Debbie xx

In the garden

Hi lovely crafters,

Gosh it's nearly been a month since I last blogged.... I've been crafting but not felt like blogging. 

My hubby has been decorating the spare bedroom and the hallway so everything has been upside down. I've also been rearranging my crafty stash and it's took longer than I expected....grr... Why I started this job is beyond me. 

Anyway onto the card I've made this afternoon. I've used a clarity stamp stencil inks and stamps. Hope it's okay. I enjoyed getting all inky. It's a garden scene.

Challenges:

Clarity stamp challenge-43-in-garden

as you like it challenge - favourite-colour-combo-why. I love red and orange as they are such warm colours. It could be a beautiful sunset or Autumn when the leaves all change colour. Love it.
word art wednesday anything-goes-challenge-weeks-250-251

Thanks for being patient and popping by, I really appreciate your support.

I'll be back tomorrow with a DT card.

Hugs Debbie xxx

Happy Sunday...

Morning,

I'm popping on today to share with you a card I made for the Challenge Reminder post over at Indigo Blu. I was picked for one of their Top 3 with my poppy card. My lovely friend Sheila won which was great.

This month's challenge is:

'All things bright and beautiful'

so why not pop over and join in here.

Here's the card I made using my friend Sheila's Peony stamp and some of her sentiment stamps from Indigo blu.:

I made my first background by spritzing water onto some ink and placing a piece of card on top of it. Very messy but great fun. I heat embossed with silver embossing powder the Peony.

Challenges:

sparkles forum challenge-83-lots-of-layers

Penny Black at Allsorts /september-challenge-add-sentiment

Ribbon Gilrl challenge September-card-challenge

corrosive challenge by Janet September-challenge-9-anything-goes

Come and get it challenge flowers

Hope you're all having a great weekend whatever you're doing.

Thanks for popping by.

Big hugs

Debbie xx

Time for Fairies or angels....

Good Morning,

It's the 1st of the month so

it's time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas.

It's the lovely Brenda's turn to choose the theme this month which is:

'Angels or Fairies'

I chose to do fairies and the stamp set I used was a freebie set from a Cardmaking and Papercrafting magazine. I searched high and low and found it thank goodness. The sentiment is from 'Clearly Besotted.' I used lots of glitter too, well you have to don't you...

Why not get ahead with your Christmas cards and join in with us. The other teamies have 

made some beautiful creations. Just click on the badge below.

                                        

One of our teamies the lovely Sandra has supplied the prize this month. Thank you dearie, very generous.

Challenges:

crafty hazelnuts christmas challenge-296-use-sentiment
Christmas card challenge-38.

Sweet stampin challenge blog - no-designer-paper

deep ocean challenge blog - 136-things-with-wings (fairies)

Creative inspirations challenge-256-christmas-in-august

Hope you're all well and had a nice bank holiday weekend. We had our first barbecue in 2 years which was lovely. We had my daughter Shannen and her boyfriend round for it and ate it outside which was lovely. The weather was gorgeous on Monday.

This week Shannen took me to Primark and Poundstretcher for a little look around which was nice. We finished off the morning with a McDonalds milkshake....yummy. I was so tired after being out but it was worth it.

Thanks for popping by.

Hugs Debbie xxx

Live, laugh, love

Afternoon all,

It's been a while but I've not been crafting the few weeks much. I decided today would be a day to play and if I achieved something then all well and good.

Here's a card I managed to put together:

 I've used some clarity stencils,inks and stamps

I'd like to enter it over at:

Challenges:

clarity stamp challenge-42 - fussy cutting

Simon says stamp blog Wednesday challenge-Anything goes
southern girls challenge anything-goes

Penny's paper-challenge-293-anything goes

No one entered for the craft show in September but I had some lovely comments from you all, so thank you ever so much. It's means the world to me. 

If you know anyone who'd like to go to it, just get in touch and I can pass them onto you as 
I'd hate them to go to waste. I'll pop them on facebook too.

Thanks for popping by. I'll be back tomorrow with a Sparkles Christmas Challenge post.

Hugs Debbie xxx

Lovely Poppies... and a giveaway

Hi all,

Sorry it's been a few weeks since I last blogged. Where does the time go?

 I've had a few hospital appointments in the last week or so. The oncologist was pleased with my progress so a very positive appointment.

I've been playing with my friend Sheila's Indigo blu stamps this week which was fun. I watercoloured the poppies which made a change. Here's my card:

Challenges:

Indigo blu blog challenge challenge-summer-florals

Addicted to stamps challenge-207-make-your-mark - used inks and water coloured the flowers.

sweet stamp in challenge use-your-favourite-stamp.(poppy stamp)

Sir Stampalot august-challenge-anything-goes

as you like it challenge favourite-flower-why - Poppies are my favourite. flower as they are so pretty and mean such alot to the war veterans. They are wild and grow back every year.
penny black at allsorts august-challenge-anything-goes-with a stamp

My Mum arrives this afternoon at York from Arbroath, Scotland so Shamus is going to pick her up from the train. I can't wait to see her as it's been a few months.
Before I go I recently won some tickets to a craft show in Manchester, if you're interested in winning please leave me a comment with the word 'Win' in it and put a picture in your blog side bar please. If you don't have a blog leave me your email address.I'll draw the winner next Thursday 25th August. UK at 12 noon.entrants only please.

Hope you're all well and enjoying this lovely weather.

Thanks for popping by to see me.

Hugs Debbie xxx

Sail away

Morning all,

 It's time for a new challenge over at Ruby's Rainbow and it's Caz's turn to choose the challenge theme which is:
'Sail away'
For my card I used a Joanna Sheen stamp, a shell embossing folder and a wood grain stencil. I really enjoyed making this card, it came together totally different to how I envisaged it, which just shows you get an idea and roll with it.

Why not join in with us and check out what the rest of the teamies have made. There is some fab inspiration from them too. This was the first ever design team I joined and I love working with everyone.

Challenges:
creatalicious challenges-96-anything-goes-with optional at the sea/beach
di's digi designs challenge - animals-acting-like-humans
creative knockouts challenge 152-anything-goes
creative craft cottage challenge-68-anything-goes
Hope you're having a lovely day whatever you're up to. I'm hoping to do some more crafting today just for fun.
 Thanks for popping by and for commenting, I really appreciate it.

Hugs Debbie xx

Thanks for popping by to see me.

Polar bear fun!!

Morning,

It's the 1st of the month so

it's time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas.

It's the lovely Helen's turn to choose the theme this month which is:

'Shaped card'

After a few days of contemplation and getting my brain into gear this is what I came up with using a Woodware stamp with an acetate cover. Great for a child's card I thought. A bit different for me, nice to take myself out of my comfort zone now and again.

Why not get ahead with your Christmas cards and join in with us. The other teamies have 
made some beautiful creations. Just click on the badge below.

Please welcome the lovely Pat to the team as well as Sybrina our Guest DT member.

Our sponsor for this months challenge is:

/

Challenges:

Sweet stampin challenge blog - christmas-in-july

fab n funky challenges-315-christmas

abc christmas challenge o-is-for-overlay

sparkles forum challenges -82-christmas-in-july

I've had a pretty good week, I hope you have too. On Thursday I had my toe nails painted with shellac and my eyebrows tinted. Nice to have a little pamper afternoon at the salon. On Friday I had a bone scan due to osteopathy being in the family. It all went fine and Shannen took me in for a change to give Shamus a break from hospital appointments. We popped to a new Home Bargains for a nosey then went for some lunch which was a nice treat.

Thanks for popping by to see me. I'm slowly getting around to your blogs, please bear with me.

Big hugs Debbie xx

Teal and brown

Hi all,

2 posts in 1 day eh... I thought I'd have a play with some Indigo blu stamps that my friend Sheila let me borrow to have a play with. I should have probably had a rest but I haven't really done much today due to the heat. I had fun so that's all that matters.

Hope you've all had a great day whatever you've been doing.

Challenges:

indigo blu blog challenge - June-challenge-brown & teal
The paper shelter challenge-258-ribbons
Craftng from the heart challenge-121 anything goes
Sir Stampalot challenge 07/july-anything-goes-with-stamp-and ribbons.

Thanks for popping by again.

big hugs xxxx