NEC

Well I know I must have told you all that I was going....

YES I was a little excited about it...

and YES I had saved up for the occasion

and wow did I have a ball..

look what jumped into my hands..

yes your seeing right..all these pens..

 this  means I only have about 20 more to buy to have the full set..

As I bought a bumper set on the sly !!!

then I saw these new edge punches which I thought where a bargain at

2 for £18

 I also go lots and lots more but...

they are now all wrapped up for me for Christmas...

 I also bought the proper end dots for my promarkers.. which are now on the pens I have in my unit

took me hours sorting out though !!

 And next is Kath.... I knew she was going to be at the NEC

as Kath had been blogging about it her blog is Here

so I had to find her.. took a couple of hours but here she is

That's me on the right with the curly hair..

listening and taking it all in

 And she looks nothing at all like her blog picture.. !!!

She has a fantastic accent too..I stood and listened to her for ages..

but didn't like to disturb her teaching...!!

I do have permission to show these as I have asked Kath.. !!

right thats it from me as

I'm a celebrity is on and i am missing it

thanks for stopping by

CLaire xx

Shabby Art Planner

Evening... and I do hope you're all ok

This post should have been done a week or two ago

but I have been working lots of hours not leaving many hours in the day for me

and the dreaded housework.. and what with the run up to Christmas in full swing

making it so much harder to find me time

but hey I am here and I have a Christmas Planner to show you

Over at the Shabby Art Boutique the lovely Kerryanne 

shared with everyone a printout to make a organizer for Christmas

Now as soon as I saw it I had downloaded and made it

here is what I did 

Picture Heavy.... !!!

I made the book from cream card stock and used

Tim Holtz distress ink to do all the edges and make it look old and shabby

Took me ages too....lol

I used Paul's huge stapler to staple together..

as it is tougher than a normal one..and the staples are thicker

and it is holding it together nicely

 onto the book

Front cover

 All I did here was add some holly punches and gems for sparkle

 First two pages.. made to look old and shabby

the only thing written is the NEC.. post on that to follow

I added a raindeer charm to one corner just for interest..

 The next two are the card list pages..I knew I wouldnt have enough room on the one sheet

so I have two sheets for the list and also made a pocket for a tag which also has room for more names

 Oh and I also made a tiny envelope and placed it in the corner.

 Gift list... as you can see I have taken pictures before I started writing in it..lol

 All I did with these two was to add a shiny bauble peel off

 This is the back.. you can not see it on the photo but I have put lots of stickled on the tree

Anyway I thinik I can link this up to a friday thing over on Kerryannes blog so that is what I am going to do

I will also enter this into

Make it Monday.. Linky

Thanks for stopping by.. am off to do my second post of the night xx

Promarkers vs ME

Yes the dreaded pens... I got so confused over about a year ago as wether to buy them or copics
what colours to buy first, or do I need to have them all at once
well  in the end I bought Spectrum Noirs to practice with..and I am not so keen, I bought them while in Portugal but didn't open until I moved back to the UK. When the time came to colour, some of them where dry and unusable..!! which put me off, but the ones I have used are nice to colour with.
SO
I have bought some Promarkers I say some... I bought three packets of five just to see what they where like.
I spoke to Paula about what would be best and went with her ideas. Paula even sent me a link to her blog on storage. So I had a go and here is mine

Sat on the shelf above my workdesk, as you can see it isnt looking very full of pens
Well that is not the case now as I bought a set of 56

and I am slowly adding them a few at a time so no one notices..lol

Here is a quick pic this morning... I will add some more next week, I have about another 20 or so to add

I have a list in my bag of the pens I have left to buy, so am sure I will come back from the NEC with a few more. I am also hoping to buy some stamps so I have something to colour too

Right time I did some cleaning before I go to work

Tanks for popping over

CLaire xx

Morning peeps.

Well it is Thursday meaning one more sleep here in Huddersfield

then off I travel to Grimsby to stop at Pauls mum's for one sleep then its

NEC time...

Can you tell I am excited ??

I have a HUGE list.. too many things on it to the amount of Cash I will have in my purse

But I am taking Paul...lol

I think I mentioned Hannah making bunting for christmas

Well here is the cute little snowman she chose on Google printed out and ready to be cut

 So yesterday while I was watching catch up TV I cut them all out 

so here they all are waiting to be coloured

I am so tempted to do a couple but I have to leave alone, it is Hannah project not mine

Above is the finished cracker for Paul. 

I just tied it with gold ribbon added a heart like on the present inside with a tag

and taped some red ribbon on each end

I didn't over do it as the card I used has a pattern and thought it didn't need anything too fussy, did not want to spoil it.

right I am tootling over to Shabby art blog to see if I post my organizer.

watch this space

thanks for stopping by 

CLaire xx

I am getting Excited

I have just THREE sleeps left..just three until I go to the NEC craft fair.
I so can not wait to get in there and have a good look round. I have just been blog hopping and a blog I follow lady called Kath is jetting of to be there too
So I may just have to say Hello.. although I have not met her before, and to be honest she may think that I am a total wirdo walking up as though I know her.... lol It would be rude not to.
If by chance I do see her, its a big place so I probably won't.
I am at this moment in time printing multiple images of a snowman for Hannah.
She has decided that she would like to colour them, their scarfs and hats that is, and made a christmas bunting for the hallway
Where did she get this idea from well here..

 Hannah made these for where I work to hang around the Halloween table
The little ghost came from Bugaboo last year, I printed it off just before the PC went bang

 We attached them to some bright orange ribbon after Hannah had coloured them with my Spectrum Noirs
So just below is the Image she has chosen off Google to make the Christmas bunting

So I am thinking of sitting in the front room for an hour or so and cutting them out ready for her
while I catch up with some TV. I found out I can watch it through the playstation.. BBCI player

I also have something else to show later, although I need to hop over to the blog to see if I have to link it up
At Shabby Art Boutique, Kerryanne has made this years Chrstmas Planner, it is lovely
I have printed off and made my book, all old fashioned, I am very pleased with my result
I am just waiting on some stickles to dry on the back.. then I will take photos and post it here later on

Well that's it from me for now I am off to make a cuppa and get cutting.
Thanks for stopping by
CLaire

Crackers

Hiya peeps... 

just me here to show you something I made

I was blog hopping a couple of days ago

and when over at Julies blog 

I saw an amazing cracker

and thought I would like to have a go at that

so I asked for template which Julie sent Via email

Pop over to Julies blog and take a look

and if you like send her a msg..am sure she will send the template

anyway here is my take

It is slightly different in shape 

As I made it to fit around the red present

One of Pauls smaller pressies for Christmas

So I adjusted the measurements to suit myself

 and I surprised myself as I made it correct first time

and am rather pleased with it

The paper I used are Papermania - Home for Christmas

I am so pleased I bought these 

they are lovely 180gm so thick enough for making things like this

and the designs are lovely.

All I have to do is take a pic of the finished cracker

but just imagine it ties with gold ribbon

with a white heart stuck to one side

I am going to make one for Hannah too

but need to buy something to go into one.

Well thats me for tonight

Thanks for stopping by xx

I am going to link this up to

Make it Monday linky

Evening to those of you that are reading,

it is Friday once again and no work for me until Monday

So I have time to do a post

I am showing a card that T.B.H I am a little stuck on

Although I like it how it is

I think it needs a Christmas Picture

but I didn't want to use a decoupage Forever Friends

Any suggestions Welcome

I have had the sewing machine out again

I think it finishes off the edges nicely

but oh it seems to take forever.

maybe it is just me being a beginner

now onto something much nicer..lol

although smelly

Look what have arrived at the farm this week

yes really small cows.......

How cute are these.. I am going to have to take my camera

and take better pictures

this was taken of my mobile and it isnt that good

and she stood and looked at me

I will also try and get some pics of the smaller ones

that are being kept in the huge sheds

now they are super cute, but very timid

Well thats it from me tonight

I am going to do my game on facebook

then watch some TV with Paul

have a lovely weekend and be carefull with those fireworks

CLaire xx0000000

Forever Friends at Christmas

Evening... second post in a day

your certainly not used to that lately are you..

you can sit down before you fall down..lol

Well I am here to show you a Christmas card

As you may or may not know I don't have any of my images

as the PC broke taking them all with it

so I have been to the local garden centre to the crafty bit

and bought some decoupage sheets

and a pack of 12x12 papermania Home for Christmas paper stack

with the thought of doing some cards

and also some layouts once I get some photo's printed

here is the first card I made

 Hes just about to peg his stocking up..ready for Santa

 His little birdy friend is in his stocking waiting

I used some lovely ribbon with Merry Christmas on it

instead of a sentiment, although I might add a name nearer Christmas

once I have decided who this card will go to

I am so behind on the crafting it isn't funny, 

I may end up buying cards this year

I just don't have the images to colour.. 

I do have some news though..

over on Facebook Paula Holifield has announced

she has a little boy.. Nathan weighing in at 9lb 7oz

and hes is so so cute..

Brilliant news mother and family are doing well..

Am sure once Paula is home she will pop an update on her blog.

well that's me for tonight

I am going to go have a go at making a Christmas Cracker

more on that tomorrow

I am going to link this up to..
Make it Monday Linky

thanks for stopping by

CLaire xx

Wall art

Hello there

long time no see... 

I am still around, still crafting

but not many cards at the moment

I have been making wall art for Hannah;s bedroom

Hannah wanted her bedroom decorated in purple

which we have done

 The purple paint did not look so purple in the tin

believe me the darker colour is dark..

it looks rather light and nice in the picture

I even used my spectrum noirs to colour the pull cord purple

to match the wall... 

I have plans on changing the plastic white bit on the end 

to a really nice large purple ball of some kind

so I am on the hunt for something.

 Hannah also wanted some prints on the walls

she has seen a few in b&q but the set she wants will cost me

wait for it.. £200+

So we made a compromise and I said I would make her some

 This is what I came up with. I have made three in total

Paul gave me some off cuts of his MDF

which I covered with wallpaper

 I then used Pauls electric stapler to attatch the cord

above is the back of the wallart

Here is a close up of the flower

I used some stickles in gold on the stamens

not sure it stands out in the picture 

but looks lovely when it is on the wall..

I have also made these two also

here they are up on the wall.. 

Again I used stickles to make them stand out a little..

so that is what I have been up to of late.

I have made some Christmas cards which I am hoping to show later

I have tea to sort then I have time to blog.

Thanks for stopping by and snooping in Hannahs room

CLaire xx

Going Buddy Promarker Candy

WOW

you will never guess what is up for grabs

A whole set of Promarkers

Do a happy dance

and thats before they have even announced a winner

One can dream..lol

pop over to Going Buggy 

Enfy's has lots more info for you..

she has some amazing ideas on her blog.

so make a cuppa as you could be there a while

I am going to dream away until the draw...

keeping everything possible crossed..

and imagining all them pens arriving at once

being able to colour anything !!

Time for me to get ready and head to work.. 

Thanks for stopping by 

what brill news eh

CLaire xx

It's Official

The PC died tonight

taking along with it ALL my Pictures

Digi Images.. anything card making related

Papers bought from clipart Fairy

I could go on and on..

they are all gone

So I have just a few stamps

I don't really do stamps.. I like Digi

as then you can make them to the size you require

So I am gonna have to start all over again

Invest in everthing again.

But where to start

Do I replace all the things I had..

Or do I go for everything new !!

What would you do..

There are my tickled pink Images which I love 

and a couple of them I have not even used...

So don't even have them to photo copy !!!

I can do posts still as I have Paul's laptop

his best works one too... from his old job

not his job now....

I have found these images via google

Sarah Kay... I loved this little girl when I was young

I even had a duvet cover set with her on..and this last image

was on the pillow case....lol

So I am going to see if they print off ok..

Once I work out how to print from the laptop...lol

Might have to shout Paul to help set it up

I have a few hours hunting on the net now 

For something Christmassy

I have nothing left

Well best get lookin

Thanks for stopping by

CLaire x

Very Unwell

PC

Yes my pc is ill.. and my PC has all my photos on it...

yes the ones I have taken of cards to blog about

So I can not get to them.. yes I could take more

but most the the cards have gone to homes theywhere intended for

So am sort of stuck...

I can use Pauls laptop..to blog with but no pictures..

I knew I should have copied from the camera and not moved

Oh well we live and learn

I am just hoping that dearest Paul can mend it..

without loosing all me pictures...

All my Digi images the lot, I have just bought a lot of new ones..

I will have to see if the links work and download them again

Fingers crossed

if not then start from scratch it will be

Will cost me a fortune to buy them all again..

so as you can guess I am a little annoyed... and Upset

and to make matters worse

I have new pens...

Promarkers... yes I have bought a few...

And I have even made a start on storage...

The idea came from Paula Holifield

Paula even emailed me the file to help..

Am sure once I get the full set it will look fab

oh and a DVD unit...lol

I forgot to buy it while I was in town yesturday

so will buy it at the weekend.

here is the link to the actual blog post

pop and have a look.. Paula will send the file is you ask her nicely...lol

I will pop pictures up of mine as soon as possible

I am rather liking Sarah Kay images 

I have just been looking at some

oh and Kenny K.. who ever does her

I will have to investigate further on that one..

I am not sure if I have told you all

But I am working now... so time seems to fly

I don't like not having time to craft like I used to..lol

anyway.. I had best get on with seeing where Kenny K is bought from

Thanks for stopping by

CLaire xx

Evening all... 

It has been a while since I had the time to post..

But I have time tonight

while files are copying on the PC to hard drive

as the PC is poorly

so I am having to move everything before Paul does what he has to

to hopefully make it work

Fingers crossed

I am showing two cards on this one post 

they are a pair in a way both similar in design

both using classic cars.

the decoupage came out of book

to which has no name.. sorry

 then I just did a quick panel with sewing on it

for a little interest

 the second card I decided to do as a aperture card 

and use two decoupage

again adding a panel of sewing

 Here they are together

I like the colour combo I have used and will definitely be using it again

for male cards.

right thats it from me for tonight

I have new toys and really want to try them out

thanks for stopping BY

CLaire xx

Christmas Candy Winner

well this is a quick post..... 

The winner of my Candy as chosen by Hannah

by lucky dip

Caz from Caz's Crafty Snug

Could you please send me an email will your address 

And I will get it into the post as soon as

Thanks for those of you that entered... grand total of 4

CLaire x

Get well soon

Morning...

Over at CDAC the next challenge is up and running

and if I am totally honest I forgot about it

I have had the image sorted and ready to go onto a card

but just not had time to make the card up

So last night after spending my craft day painting the kitchen

I thought I had best get one made up so I can get my entry in

here it is
The Image is by Priscilla Styles

 I have paper  pieced the sofa... and the wall paper behind

Then I coloured kitty with my  Speecctrum Noirs

And looking at this I have not coloured the flowers on the window sill....

he is rather dopy looking isnt he..

thats what made me decide to do get well

he looks like hes flopped there and is not moving until he is better

Right time to go again..

Life is getting in the way of this blogging and crafting

thanks for stopping by

CLaire xx

Monday morning

And what a horrible one it is...

I have not seen so much rain in ages..

I have 30 minutes before I have to tootle to work

I have a card to show you all

Made for a boy

15cm square base card

layered with blues

The Yellow I wanted to look like a strange star

not sure I got that look

I made it from scraps

so it is not one whole piece.

 I coloured the image using my Spectrum Noir pens

and it was nice to colour

Must order some more...mine are now dry and not working

the Image is from Bugaboo !! I think

 He is so cute.. I think I won him in competition while I was in Portugal

long time ago now

I have arrange for myself to have a craft day on wednesday

I have been busy all weekend so I have the day free

my evening up until will be getting things ready..

now I am not sure if I have shown these

its me and Hannah ready to go into a cave

can not for the life of me remember where

all I know is its on the penines...lol

 Here we are... again this time in the cave... not much headroom..

and I can tell you it got lots worse..

Paul found it amusing taking pictures but I am not showing them on here

It would put you off your food for weeks...lol

and I suppose we was not really dressed for it either...lol

it was hot and sunny out but oh so cold down there

Right I have to go now...

work to get to I may get back online later

while having a late lunch

thanks for stopping by

Claire

I will link my card up later !!

Make it Monday linky