Peace, Love, Hope...

Image- Peace, Love, Hope.

Morning all!!

I'm in for you today with my Dream Team post and a little something out of my Lou cosy slippers comfort zone!! Prismacolor pencil colouring!! oh my!! but let's be honest..this little cutie is just the perfect image to make those new colouring medium nerves evaporate...Just look at it...

awwwww! the cuteness!!

I really am enjoying trying out these pencils though. I bought them secondhand from my lovely friend Sue who was having a bit of a crafty declutter again. I've been looking at them for quite some time but one of my BFF's Lucy showed me Sue's post and I just felt it was the right time to give them a go. It's definitely a learning curve and I am very much riding off youtube tutorials for colour blends but its sooo good to try something new.

We have has the most beautiful Christmas break so far. Lots of family time, visiting my gorgeous big sister, Christmas day in our trio bubble, Scott's family on boxing day which we always love, walking, a visit to mo's favourite place, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, and some lovely chilling times at home too, we just seem to of got the mix so perfectly this year. Today we need to do a little shopping, we are all out of loo rolls and fresh veggies!! but that's all we have planned. I've even managed to keep right on top of my workout DVD schedule!!

Have a magical new year everyone.Thank you for popping in, huge hugs Lou xxx

Fruitcake....

Image- Fruitcake.

Morning everyone!

I'm in for you today with a super cute make featuring Fruitcake. 

I've nowhere near made enough christmas cards this year but this little cutie sat on my desk spurred me on to getting on with the job!!

And if you click on the piccy of her below, you'll be festively pinged to her home in the store so you can get making with her too!! she's just too cute not to buy!!

We had a gorgeous day yesterday celebrating our Little Mo's 14th birthday....I cannot believe he is 14 already!!! but I'll go with it because he is still squishably cute!!!

Right, I really do need to scoot, I've been on my treadmill for 3K so I am an actual sweaty beast who needs a shower right now!!! all in the name of attempting to keep fit....not much fun with a streaming runny nose and sore throat but well worth the pain if I can keep myself healthy!!! lol!!!

Huge Hugs Lou xxx

Tilda tracks Santa....

Morning peeps!!

I'm in with a post for you today. I have been excitedly opening the days of my Magnolia stamps and Dies- Christmas Calendar 2018 and I couldn't wait to ink up my Day 1 Tilda with the little map!!

My little Mo and I always follow NORAD tracks Santa and I decided to do a little Tilda Tracks Santa kind of christmassy card!!! And of course, I needed a few of my older Magnolia stamps to help me along, the fir trees ( though I cut the little one off the right side and just kept the 2 that nestle together and then masked my Tilda stamp so they went behind her), and the little Santa is coming to town sentiment circle. I love how Magnolia stamps are just timeless and go together no matter which releases they are from!!

I paper pieced her trousers and bow using the scraps from my delicious Maja Designs Christmas Season 6x6 papers. And of course, the little oval behind her and the papers on the card are the Maja Designs Christmas Season 6x6 papers too. They are just too pretty not to use!!

Just look how pretty the little early bird die was that came with the Magnolia stamps and Dies- Christmas Calendar 2018. I inked the edges a little and added a little fluffy snow to the top.

And that's me for today!!!! We are off to pick up our new car today. It's not brand new but it's new to us!! I can't wait. I've wanted a volvo for so long and now....well...I have one!!! wahooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Thank you for popping in, Huge hugs Lou xxx

Tiddly Inks challenge #220....Let's Be Merry!!!!

Image- Christmas Wishes clear stamp set,

(no longer available but you can get a digi version called

Reindeer Games.)

Die- Studio Light STENC121.

Morning Peeps!! 

It's time for a new challenge over on the Tiddly Inks challenge blog and it's our last challenge of 2018!!! of course, we just had to go with the holiday season for our last challenge so....

Let's Be Merry!!

so, create something with any choice of Tiddly Inks image/stamp in a way you love! 

 (**remember...We love to see any new creation, a card, 3D project, journal page etc 

but you must use a Tiddly Inks stamp or image **)

I just couldn't resist another play with those amazing Studio Light dies I bought myself. Oh my goodness! there is just something so beautiful in making something for yourself and I am really enjoying doing that at the moment. I can't find myself a little roladex to start storing them on but I have attached 2 wooden dowels to my crafts board behind my desk and am just happily posting them on there!!!! I LOVE it!!!

Right, I need to get a wriggle on!! I have a little man to take to school, pawsy peeps to walk and a gorgeous husband to meet in his dinner hour for a little GAP sale shop!! he he!!!

Thank you for popping in, Huge hugs Lou xxxx

Christmas Carton!!!

Morning Peeps!

I'm in for you today and I have been having some fun making little bits to put on our table for christmas day. The Gummiapan Milk Carton die was just perfect for this!! they would be so wonderful to make a little advent calendar with too!!

I used the stunning new Christmas Season papers from Maja Designs to die cut my little carton and the little tag is from the Magnolia Doo Hickey club 20 magazine.

I even covered my mini bulldog clip with a little scrap that was left over too! I love how it all co-ordinates!! oooh, get me!!!

There is a super amount of size to tuck in some little treats like sweets or even a Lego man if you have a Lego obsessed child like me!! he he!!! It's just shy of a lip balm height so you can tuck some little cute things in there!

Right, I need to go drink lots of water for my ultrasound today...I am going to be bursting for the loo!!!

Thank you for popping in, Huge hugs Lou xxx

Dashing through the snow....

Image- Dashing.

Dies- Studio Light die (Stenc120).

Good morning all!

I'm a little late with my post this morning because I have been dashing on my treadmill!! lol!! but I couldn't wait to get showered and get to my computer to post this for you all to peek at!!.

My friend Larissa let me know about these gorgeous roladex styles Studio Light dies and I couldn't resist getting some just to do some little makes for me!! Janice and Andy at Sir Stampalot got right on the case for me and ordered them in and I cannot tell you how much I love these dies!! Thank you so much, Janice and Andy xxx

I don't have my roladex yet but I can't wait to get one so I decided to get started on making some bits for myself anyways and Dashing was the perfect image to start with!! there is a lovely sparkle to the tree and its lights but as usual, a dopey Lou cant get a picture of it!!!!

I had so much fun dotting the snow around with my white gel pen too! it goes a little pink on the car but I still adore it!!

Thank you for popping in, Hugs Lou xx

Fur you at Christmas....

Image- Fur You at Christmas.

Papers- Maja Designs Christmas Season.

Good morning everyone!!

It's Fabulous Friday over on the Tiddly Inks Challenge blog and this is my little Tiddly Inker make. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed making this!! 

A couple of weeks ago I begged....asked..... Christy for some Christmassy fox images. I absolutely love a little fox image oh my fursness did she rock it!! How adorable is this image???........

So I decided to use my Lawn Fawn square reveal wheel die set for a different purpose!! I made a little pennies gift card with a little window for the sentiment which I stamped right onto the sliding pennies bit so it could be seen through the window. I love it!! 

And!! even more exciting!! there are new images in the shop!!

And there's even more!!! over on Christy's Blog are some FREE stunning sentiments for you to download. They are way too cute to miss so click HERE to go read the post and get your freebie.

Hang on a second!!...there's another little Thanksgiving treat just below.....

There is a 45% off sale.and this will run through Cyber Monday. You will have to enter the code THANKSG18 at checkout.

and..if you are in the US and love clear stamps...

Christy has organized the clear stamps and you can see all the In Stock Stamps by clicking HERE… On US orders of $50 or more, Christy will refund the listed shipping after purchase and include a freebie set of cactus that is not available for purchase as a free gift. 

Phewsh!!! that was a lot of Lou waffle so I'll set you all free now and go and make a cuppa and try and calm myself before I go for my toe check up today!!!! I'm actually quite hopeful this might be the last yucky stuff removing session I need to have because I think they are looking much better this week!!

Thank you for peeking in, huge hugs Lou xxxx

Tiddly Inks challenge #219...Divine Dimension!

 Image- Kit.

Dies- Lawn Fawn Double Slider Surprise.

Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border.

Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflake.

Morning all!!

It's time for a super fun new challenge over on the Tiddly Inks Challenge blog. And this month it's all about...

Divine Dimension!

so think images popped out on foam, moveable parts in your makes, shadow boxes, pop up boxes oooooh there's so much to choose from!!!! 

 (**remember...We love to see any new creation, a card, 3D project, journal page etc 

but you must use a Tiddly Inks stamp or image **)

I decided to go with the super sweet Kit. He is just $1 in the store and I cannot resist a little fox one little bit! I adore them!

There is just something super sweet about a fox and I just couldn't resist whipping my new die into action. Now, I have made loads of this style card before using THIS TUTORIAL from Splitcoast stampers so don't think you have to have the die. I just love how cute and small this die set is so I had to get it!!! and this is how it works...

Then it was just a case of adding some foam to pop out the elements like my little Kit circle and the puffy white clouds. I added a few cute snowflakes and of course....printed out my own funny sentiment for inside!!

in fact....Christy just drew me 2 new foxy images and they are in the shop now!! You can click on the piccy to be pinged to them!!

   

Aren't they just perfect?!! I LOVE them!! Right, time for a cuppa before I tackle the hoovering. Poppy is malting and it's like a black carpet every morning in my lounge!! I'm so pleased we have laminate flooring downstairs!! lol!!

Thank you for popping in, huge hugs Lou xxx

With Love...

Image- With Love.

Morning all!

I'm in with a post for you today using With Love. I love how Mo's image's can be used for the beautiful rainbow of skin tones out in our amazing world. This one was for my friend's little girls to give to their friend.

Today I will mostly be pootling around doing the ironing and I might get some time to pootle out to my craft room a bit later too! I hope so, I really fancy making a bit of something if I can get the umpf! my toes have been really quite painful so a little treat of crafty time will just take the yuckiness out of my day!!!

Thank you for popping in

Hugs Lou xxx

Tailor Tilda....

Magnolia Mini World Tailor Tilda

Magnolia DooHickeys Recipe card die

Magnolia DooHickeyclub Volume 20 Magazine dies

Gummiapan Hens Net die

Gummiapan Button Heart die

Magnolia stamps Butterfly Dreams tag die 

Hello everyone!!

I had such a wonderful time pootling along with this little card and one of my favourite things from Magnolia stamps....their mini world stamps!! Oh, I just love them because you can fit so much fun into makes with the using your old and trusted Magnolia DooHickey dies. I used the Dream Tags die to pop the super sweet little Tailor Tilda on.

Let's take a closer peek at her with her little sewing machine!! awwww!!!

The card shape is made using the Magnolia DooHickeys Recipe card die. To make the little pink gingham designer paper piece. I used a sheet of my golden oldie 6x6 magnolias paper I cut a piece of it out with the die and then left it in there while I drew around the inside edge of the die with a pencil. I then cut along that pencil line and distressed the edges to get the perfect little matting piece on the card.

I also took some time to make her some little patchwork quilt pieces using the Gummiapan Hens Net die. I carefully lifted it out of my die cutting machine so the pieces stayed within the die so I could get my trusty thin black pen to draw the 'stitches' on. I love how it came out!!

And how sweet does the little Gummiapan Button Heart die look with a little thread through it as an accent on the tab part? 

Now, did you all get the Magnolia DooHickeyclub Volume 20 Magazine? ooooh, I so hope you did because it has the most beautiful little pair of scissors and a needle and thread die! they were just perfect for this make! I couldn't believe my luck when I saw them in the set!!!

I used a teeny little brad to put the scissors together and they look so sweet!!

Here is the needle in action too! I had super fun threading it!!

A repeat job of making the matting on some white card worked so nicely for the back of the card and I utilised a few more of those gorgeous little quilt pieces to dress up the corners.

Right, time for me to pootle off!! Thank you for popping in, Huge hugs Lou xxx

I have taken a Viking to you.........

Image- Wryn Viking To You.

Papers- Viking Adventures from Roofdog Design.

Morning everyone!!

I am so excited to post my latest make on my bloggy today because a) the new Wryn Viking To You image is just the most fabulous image and b) Julee from Mojo Monday has started doing sketches again and I am over the moon about it!!

Isn't it just gorgeous?!! I can't wait to start looking out for them every Monday again. They are just such a mojo starter. Thank you, Julee!!

And I found some super cute papers on Etsy from Roofdog Design called Viking Adventures that were just perfect for this make!! I so love it when everything comes together.

Oooooh, I do so love a make where everything feels so perfect because you just love it all!!

So, here's an update on my poor big toes (scroll past quickly if you are scared of poorly toe piccies!!!)

Today we took Mo for a little womble around the Christmas bits at our local garden centre and I managed to tread on my own toe....arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Yup, I stood there in the middle of our local garden centre and actually cried peeps!!! I have a check-up at the Podiatry clinic tomorrow to see how I am doing with them so hopefully, it won't take them 40 mins of soaking to get the dressings off like it did me this morning?!!!! I am hoping she will say the infection has gone on the left one too.

Right, I need to scoot. We have the dentists at 4:05pm....again arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh... so I need to get on my biggest big girl pants for that! hopefully, nothing will need doing because that would finish me right of!!!

Thank you for nipping in, Huge hugs Lou xxx

Patty and Pumpkin and Patrick in the Pumpkins....

Image- Patty and Pumpkin & Patrick in the Pumpkins.

Morning all! It's Lou in with a post for you today and I have had some fun merging new and older digital stamps from the store today.

Patty and Pumpkin reminded me so much of my beautiful Grandma Sylvia. She had the best laugh ever and she was always happy so I couldn't resist colouring her up right away but then as I went to grab her image from my folder on my pooter, I caught sight of Patrick in the Pumpkins and I just had to pop the 2 together!!

The sentiment is from a retired MFT stamps stamp set but I just adore it! Halloween is one of my absolute favourite holidays and I can never resist a few Halloweeny makes!!!

Right, I need to scoot. I have my results appointment today for my Bone Scan and also a date with some ironing!!! It's half term too which I adore and Mo is busy making a massive paper chain!! Scott has the day off too so it's really nice to sneak in a long weekend with my gorgeous boys.

Thank you for popping in

Huge hugs Lou xx

Punkin redux...

Image- Punkin redux.

Morning everyone!!

It's my turn to post over on the Dream Team blog this morning and I was so excited to make my card. It's for a super special friend of mine whose birthday is this week and I am super lucky that she shares my joy of all things autumn and of course, Pumpkins!! he he!!!

Punkin was just perfect for the job because....well.....cuteness!! lol!!! seriously though, what luck to come upon a gorgeous little autumnal pumpkin image that I could easily turn into a birthday card for my dear friend.

I also included a couple of the crafty things she has taught/ shared with me over the years I have had the pleasure to know her. The little corner punch is one that I have had for years after she demo'd with it when I nipped over to see her one year and then the sanded edges and the little bit of inking by keeping your die over the image while you ink and then the faux stitching around the image mat. A few little leafy fronds in some autumny colours with a little bow just finished it off. I just love it.

You see, you never forget the people who share their crafty knowledge with you and help you to expand yours, as well as being a dear support whilst we were both pootling through breast cancer together. What are the chances of that?! I am very blessed to have her in my life.

Right, I must pootle off now. I need to try and get my feet working for the school run. I have been in so much pain with these blooming toes after having my nails removed that it's been quite a sore weekend!! I was quite excited though on Saturday because I baked 2 cakes for Scott's mum to take to a fundraising coffee morning and both sold very quickly! I felt so happy!! a Lemon Drizzle loaf and a Banana Bread...which might I add...Mo rather fancied so I had to make him and Scott a Banana Bread of their own and today, Mo wants me to make a Lemon Drizzle!!!!!

Thank you so much for nipping in! Huge hugs Lou xxx

Apple....

 Image- Apple.

Dies- Tim Holtz gift card bag.

Dienamics cross stitched circle stax.

apple and worm- Magnolia Doo Hickey club 20.

Hi everyone! 

It's Lou in with a post for you today. I was lucky enough to go to a cardmaking class with my amazing friend Lou teaching it on Saturday (Book your December class with Crafty Lou here.)

One of the makes we did on Saturday was a little tag for the Christmas tree in a little holder and I absolutely loved it and I just had to try making something we made on the day with a new die set I bought for myself on the day and the super sweet little Apple image and go for an autumn feeling make.

I used the gorgeous little apple and worm dies from my Magnolia Doo Hickey club 20 set to add a little feature to the bottom of the holder so it doesn't look too lost once you take the little tree decoration out! 

Just look how cute she is all cropped onto that little circle shape! I gave her apples a little sparkle and glossy accents too, well, they do look so scrumptious they had to 'pop' right?!!

Here she is next to her little pocket. I really love it. It's such a fun way to spread a little smile....which I kind of needed because it helped to keep my mind off the soaking of my poor big toes I need to do right now....ackity poop!!! lol!!!

Thank you so much for popping in, I'm off to wimp out over a bowl of salty water now!!!

huge hugs Lou xxx

Cookie crate cuteness!!

Gummiapan Apple Box die.

Magnolia stamps mini world Medal.

Morning peeps!!!

I think I must be a 'feeder' because my last 2 posts for you have had yummy snacks in them but my Little Guy made the most scrummy chocolate rye cookies at the weekend and I couldn't resist showcasing them a little using the fabulous Gummiapan Apple Box die.

All I needed was some orange cardstock ( yup, I'm still in the autumn colours mood!!) to cut out the little box. Then I distress inked all the edges using Walnut stain distress ink.

Once I had inked all the edges and assembled the box, I tied a little bit of twine around it, using the 'handles' to pop it over to keep it in place and tied a lovely bow. I left the ends of the twine nice and long to get that pretty effect on the bow.

Then I tucked some cotton gauze into the box and wrapped a few of my Little Guys cookies in some cellophane and tucked them into the box.

Then it was time to play with the super sweet little Magnolia stamps mini world Medal stamp. It is just so cute! I love it!! I stamped it out and then I used a little freebie heart stamp from Gummiapan and stamped it in the centre of the medal. I coloured it in a lovely orange colour and then I added some glossy accents to it to make it pop!

I took some time fussy cutting it out and then inked its edges to soften the cut lines. I added a little hot glue to the back of it and stuck it over the centre of the bow.

Isn't it just the cutest gift?!! oooh, I do think so!!!

Well, my big toenails have been extracted! I was quite interested and after the 2 lots of numbing injections, I had to have because, you know, I'm Lou and one wasn't enough!!!! I happily watched the first toenail get pulled out. It really was amazing, she just scooped a little spatula behind it all the way down to release the suction and then kinda flicked my nail out of its bed either side.... and then as she put the little tourniquet on the second toe...I passed out!!! oh my goodness!! I felt a right wally!! as I came to all I could see was poor Scott holding my hand and I could just make out the other nurse stroking my head so gently and talking to me.
They were seriously the nicest ladies ever, I was so lucky to get those 2 and I seem to be doing quite well in recovering so far. The lady who redressed them yesterday said they were looking good but over the next couple of weeks they will begin to look hideous as the Phenol does its thing to kill off the nail bed so not to worry at how terrible they look and when they do start to look terrible, just soak them in salt water and change the dressings daily...so I figure I should be good for Halloween with scary toes!!!!!

Thank you for popping in everyone! huge hugs, Lou xxx