Snow writer blues

I decided I needed a new Snow Writer, the one I had seemed to be dried up and not working despite only using it a year ago (since then I have added a bit of water, unbunged it and it is working again).

So I hunted around on Google and found some on Crafter's Companion website for only £1.99 each which seemed to be half price compared to other sites, so I ordered 2 original and 2 new glistening snow writers and some Rock a Blocks.

Two of the snow writers and the blocks arrived with "to follow" against the glistening snow writers. Yesterday I had a phone call from CC, telling me that they checked with the manufacturer and the glistening snow writers have been discontinued so I could have a credit unless there was something else I would like.

I was trying to work out if credit meant money back, as you would expect but I have been given a code and told I can use it on my next order. I asked if I never want to order again from them couldn't I just have my money back? I was told I would have to ring customer services and ask them to do that!

Make a wish

I made this card from the stamped image I received in the PCJ stamped image swap. It is a Stampabilities House Mouse image (and I may just have to get this one), which I coloured with water colours, cut out with Nestabilities into a scalloped rectangle and mounted it on brown leather effect card. I made a yellow card blank which I cut with a scalloped blade (though I think it would be better to cut it while the card is open as I have a reverse effect).

I added a Cuttlebug die cut slider, with a Nestabilities rectangle threaded with Papermania ribbon. I stamped "Wishing You" from the Stampendous small greetings set. It took ages to decide which words to stamp and I added the dots myself but after I had stamped them I realised they were perfect for the image. As a child we were taught to pick dandelion clocks and blow at the same time making a wish!

So this is a multi purpose card, you could add any greeting to follow the dots!

(Next time I must draw a pencil line before I put the ribbon on, it is a little crooked!)

I added Faux stitching with a white pen and now I can enter it in the House Mouse Monday challenge blog challenge for this week, which is stitching!

New stamps and Christmas cards

I have managed to take a few photos of new stamps and the Christmas cards so far. I have created a new slide show for Christmas photos, I think they tend to take over and many are just quick and sticky efforts and not a great deal of work. Oh and I put in a photo of the mystery box I bought from Arty Miss.
These cards are using up the stuff I have got in the mystery box (and Vanessa helped make them) and have accumulated over the past couple of years, I will get some stamped ones done eventually!

Blog award

I received this award from my friend Linda (about a week ago) check out Linda's lovely blog. Thanks Linda, it is nice to get an award.

Here are the rules for this award:
1) The winner can put the logo on their blog
2) Link the person you received your award from
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Put links of those blogs on yours
5) Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated

Now I have to nominate 7 other blogs I love and the problem I find with this is that either all the blogs I would like to nominate have award saturation right now, or I know the blogger won't acknowledge the award so I will do my best.

1.The very talented stamp designer and card maker Debbie (who has had this award before)
2. Ethel the Paper Quilter who makes lovely things
3. The one and only Tim Holtz (who is giving blog candy right now)
4. The generous and talented Craftling Christine
5. Tassy who is sharing her talents by video demo's
6. The very busy Lazy Kay
7. Finally Phree the Ink stain survivor who I found from an on line treasure hunt.

Now I just need to tell them all.

Unable to stop spending - help!

Thanks for all the nice comments I have been getting on my blog and my cards recently. They are much appreciated. Also my health probs are long term but I hope for an improvement soon.

I have had a yearning to visit Hobbycraft for a few weeks, maybe it is something to do with the leaflets that recently arrived and vouchers on the back, but I got my long suffering hubby to drive me there (I can drive but get awful pain in my legs if I go that far).

I have to say it was disappointing. I had a mental list of things I would like, and two vouchers with a plan to split it into two baskets to use both, but I struggled to spend enough to use one!

I wanted to at least look at the Big Shot in black and pink, knowing that I can get it the same price or with some dies for just £7 more with free delivery from Cutting Edge Crafts online. It was in the catalogue, but nowhere to be seen. I mentioned it at the checkout, the girl said "There is one up there I will show you if you like" - off we trotted and it wasn't there. I may have looked to them to be getting on a bit but my eyesight isn't that bad, the Big shot is - well - big - not something easily missed. "We have one out the back would you like me to get it" she offered "Well if it isn't too difficult" I replied - off she went and maybe 20 minutes later arrived back with the blue one, and a colleague and said here it is £69.99. I said "I can get the newer one cheaper - look", producing the print (well I hoped I could find the same kit and haggle it down) - "oh O..K." she said, and went to put it on the shelf at which her colleague told her she shouldn't as it was put out the back for a reason she thought!

So I asked about the new pink Xcut punches, I wanted the ribbon one. The assistant hadn't heard of those.

I have just bought a 120 Prismacolour pencil set on Ebay using my 20% discount code, and I wanted the stumps (not that I really know what they are for yet, I think you blend colours then use them to draw but I am not certain), Sansodor - though I have some other stuff that might be the same, and anything related but I found the stumps all looking dirty and used and quite pricey each.

I looked for anything else that took my fancy, found a small easel and bought that. I have seen them used to display cards in photos and quite fancied one. I also bought two punches from the bargain box, and a bumper bag of stickers and peel offs at half price to give to my youngest niece. I also bought two heart shaped trinket boxes to decorate.

At the checkout the girl told me they don't get the leaflets I got, and seemed quite jealous that I had them. Wouldn't it be an idea for the staff to know what is actually supposed to be on sale in the shop and why it isn't there?

Sorry I haven't been posting....

I have been so tired this week, and not feeling my best so I haven't done any crafting at all, but lots of goodies have been arriving daily and I will tell you all about them as soon as I can take some photos.

I wanted to make some challenge cards but I just couldn't do it.

I did make some quick Christmas cards last weekend with Vanessa who was here for a couple of nights with my son - it is a start and I might take some photos of those when I can clear a space to do it!

I won a technical drawing pen set for "Star Letter" in Beautiful Cards, but I haven't managed to find a copy to buy to see which card, I think it was the House Mouse Hand Over the Chocolate one, not certain though. I am also featuring in Quick Cards Made Easy with my list of latest buys, well the ones at the time and should get some goodies from that - oh no not more I hear you say!

Well I think I will be offering blog candy very soon, just need to decide what you have to do to get it, and what it will be - maybe Christmas themed, maybe not! I am amazed to now have over 7000 hits. It should be celebrated.

I have just ordered some snow writers from Crafter's Companion where they are £1.99 each, and I found them for over £3 on offer on another site - what a difference.

I also ordered some Fiskars embossing border and corner punches which are half price on www.amazon.co.uk right now, and from Crafter's Companion some rock a blocks to try and an ATC back stamp - well I might make some one day!

We have been invited to a birthday BBQ tonight, only invited yesterday and didn't know about the birthday. So I am hoping to make an Indian birthday card for our friend just as soon as I have sorted myself out but I don't have a lot of time so he might just get one I did earlier.

Another card with lots of black

Another card using the Stampers Anonymous silhouette stamp.

This time I followed a sketch on A Spoonful of Sugar blog, and it also would be good for the Black is Back on This Thursday.

I wasn't totally happy with yesterday's card but this stamp makes me want to keep going!

Papers are DCWV, velvet ribbon and Inkadinkado sentiment stamp.

This Thursday Black is Back challenge

I made this card for the This Thursday challenge, the brief was to use lots of black.

I used an Inkadinkado sentiment stamp, Hero Arts Birds for the background and the little birds, and a Stampers Anonymous silhouette stamp that I really love.

I trimmed the front of the card back and put a panel of Kate Knight Dovecraft Paper inside, and added two blooms and a big brad, and the polka dot ribbon goes all round to tie at the side. I inked the edges with black, but not very well.
The card I used as a mat is pearlescent black, if there is such a thing, maybe that should be iridescent.