hate the cold...

...but love the frost

having a little celebration...

we've now announced the 

Creative Design Team!

You can find out all about them, take a trip around their blogs, and if you are anything like me sit and wonder at their combined talent. 

To celebrate we have a not so little batch of blog candy.  I haven't opened packets and spread it all about to make it look more than it is.  It's already worth over £55.00 of anyone's money! 

Go take a look! 

encourage your hopes...

Running the store has been a life long dream of mine, and just recently things have changed up a gear.

I kid you not when I say that I have worked night and day since launching the shop 18 months ago. It's been a hard slog, too damn exciting and way too stressful at times.  It's seen me in tears and filled with joy & laughter. 

This last half of 2012 has been a whirlwind. 

From being invited to submit a piece for publication in Scrap365, to writing a piece for Sian's So This Is Scrapbooking series on her blog which was published yesterday (and there is candy involved, you can find it here!) 

I am a fan of Scrap365 so that tested my nerves. 

I'm also a fan of Sian's blog so felt incredibly honoured to have been asked. 

A few weeks ago I was thinking out loud about having a design team for the store.  There just aren't enough hours in the day for me to showcase some of the wonderful products we stock. And, as hubby keeps telling me...."you can't do it all!" 

 I might die trying though!! 

Today has seen the first day revealing our fabulously talented creative design team. 

I was flabbergasted by the talent that applied to join us.

To join us, and our humble store, to help it grow and flourish. 

I couldn't take everyone on, so agonised over who should form our first ever creative team.

We have some equally talented Guest Designer joining us at points during 2013. 

I guess this post is to say a massive thank you to all those who have helped me get to this point and supported the business, making it all worth while. To say thank you for helping me make my dreams a reality.  

Please do come and support the Creative Design Team Blog. We have lots in store for 2013. 

nothing quite like black & white...

I've not suddenly turned into a card maker.  

This one was part of the Journal Journey's feature I did for the October edition of Scrap365. The journal and the cards are finally home. I'll share more pictures soon so you can see the journal should you not have a copy of the magazine. 

Until next time, thanks for stopping by! 

a christmas quickie

I am not a Christmassy kinda gal, not at all, I'm more bah-humbug.  

I hate Christmas shopping. 

I like present buying, but not at the same time a million other people are dithering over what to get Aunty Mable & Great Grandpa George.  Make your mind up BEFORE you leave the house people.

I also DO NOT make Christmas cards. 

I know lots of us crafty folks appreciate what goes into handmade items, but in all honesty they are hours I will not get back, and when our house is still upside down as the loft conversion is under way, I have more things to be getting on with. 

But yes, these are Christmas cards you see before you. 

Christmas Quickies.

I've made these for the ukscrappers home page as Mary-Anne likes to have a Christmas gallery on the homepage for December, and I said I would join in. 

Yes - I did groan at myself afterwards, wondering what the heck I was going to make. 

I know this is a stupid busy time of year all round, so I thought how about some quick, bright Christmas cards.  These took minutes to make (once I had decided what to make....)

I've used acrylic ink, scraped out across the card for that artistically modern background (did you spot that...artistically modern..oh yeah). If you use pearlescent inks it make it feel more festive.

I should also add at this point - use good quality cards that will take the ink. I get mine from Inspire Me Papers, or you could make them out of watercolour paper or similar.

Let the ink dry thoroughly while you put the kettle on. 

Once you have your cup of whatever you fancy, stamp away. Mine are done with archival ink, which you must heat set afterwards especially on the pearlescent ink.

Bobs your Uncle, a Christmas Quickie!