My Top 20 Creations of 2013

As we say goodbye to 2013 I want to share MY favourite creations of 2013, an excellent idea thought up by Suzanne Baker McKenzie.....
Create your own page and put the link on her blog! Fab Fun Idea!
Here's mine (clicking on each picture should take you to the original post):

And that's my lot! It's amazing what us crafter's can do in one year. I don't think we really appreciate ourselves enough! So...go on. Give yourselves a big pat on the back! And here's to another fab craft-filled year.
Big Hugs
Fiona
PS. Suzy has a linky on her blog so we can all share and look back together.
http://suzannebakermckenzie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/my-top-20-creations-of-2013.html

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Happy Boxing Day everyone!
Hope you all had a Jolly good day yesterday. We had bags of fun!
Quick post today. I had to make a batch of last minute Christmas cards, purely because I couldn't bear to part with some of the ones I've made this year (is anyone else like that?!), so I didn't quite have enough. I chose this gorgeous wintry image from "Delicious Doodles", edged it with burgundy Promarker and I've colured the door in the same colour. That's all it needed! A bit of ribbon and a sentiment, and bish bash bosh, ten cards made! Simples!
Off to my sister's now for more fun and frolics!
Hugs
Fiona x
Challenges entered:
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ "Last minute cards"
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/ "Anything goes"

MAKE IT SPARKLE AT THE CRAFTER'S CAFE

Hi everyone! Second post of the day. This is my DT make for The Crafter's Cafe and the theme this week is "Make it Sparkle". How easy is that?!
We are sponsored by Fred She Said and I have used this gorgeous image called "Catchin' Flakes"....isn't it cute?!
I've coloured the image with Promarkers and layered it onto mirri card. The background paper is from Dovecrafts "Winter Wonderland". For my SPARKLE I have used Twinklets as snow, some sparkly organza ribbon, and I've coated two MDF snowflakes with German Glass Glitter.
Pop over to Fred She Said to find some digis, some pre-colured toppers and fab papers....an ideal place to go if you need to make some last minute quicky cards!
Let's see you shine in our new challenge!
Big Hugs
Fiona x (who is now off to knit as many santa hats and christmas puds as my tired hands will allow!)

LET IT SNOW AT RHEDD & ROSIES

Good morning everyone. Hope you are all in a festive mood! Today's challenge over at Rhedd and Rosie's is "Let It Snow"...we want to see lots of snow on your projects!
I have made a card using magazine freebies to which I've added some snowy ribbon, a bargain I picked up from our local garden centre. It only cost me 20p for just over a metre!
Happy days.
The challenge will run for the next fortnight and here's the prize that's up for grabs:

Wouldn't mind winning that myself!
So, get your thick woolies and wellies on, and let the snowball fight commence!
Hugs
Fiona xx

JOLLY DRUNKEN SANTAS

Hello everyone.
Second card of the day, and it's my DT make for The Crafter's Cafe. 
I've called it "Drunken Santas" because, as you can see, I didn't quite stick them on straight! It's a fun card...what can I say!
The "Little Santa" image is from our sponsor this week:

And our challenge is to "Use RED and lots of it!" I've used a piece of paper from Papermania Mistletoe Kisses, which is  mainly red. The green dotty strip and sentiment are from the same pack. Little Santas have been coloured in with Promarkers and stuck (drunkenly) onto the card! Finished off with a few red pearls.
Come over and join in our RED challenge.
Hugs
Fiona xx

USING OLD STASH AT RHEDD & ROSIES

Good Morning everyone. Hope all is fine and dandy with you.
My card today is my DT make for Rhedd and Rosies blog, where for the next fortnight, the challenge is "Use Old Stash". Easy!
I stood in my craft room and had a good look round, and spotted some burgundy velvet paper I'd forgotten I had. So that's what I chose to use. I've used a Kraft card as my base, added a strip of frayed burlap and some burgundy ribbon. This is topped with a gorgeous poinsettia cut from the velvet paper. I've used a sequin and tiny bead, possibly the "oldest" things in my stash, to finish the poinsettia off.
Simples.
The prize up for grabs this week is:

Looking forward to seeing your "Old Stash" makes.
Hugs
Fiona xx

CAN WE REACH CHRISTMAS CARD

Good morning everyone.
Today's card is another Christmas make. We did most of our Christmas shopping at the weekend so I'm well and truly in the spirit of things now.
I've had a good rummage through all my crafty bits, determined not to buy more before I've used what I've got! It's so hard!
I found this little image I coloured in yonks ago; no idea where it's from. Obviously I didn't finish colouring it either, but I like it just the way it is. I've added some Stickles to the decorations and around the edge of the die-cut. The pink snowflake paper is from Papermania Mistletoe Kisses range (as is the snowflake) and the blue snowflake paper is just a snippet I found in my Christmas box. I've layered the pieces up onto silver mirri card and wrapped it all in silver edged organza ribbon (another "find"!). The little corner is a die-cut which I've "frantaged" and the sentiment is a freebie from a magazine.
Off to work in a bit but I think I've got time to squeeze in some die-cutting while I watch a bit of "Love Actually"....my fave film of the week.
Hugs
Fiona
Challenges entered:
http://craftingmusketeers.blogspot.co.uk/ Pretty pastels
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ For a child
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes
http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.co.uk/
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/
http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/  Child's Christmas

FAR FROM RUSTY AT SIXTY

Happy Sunday everyone!
It's been very quiet in our house this morning. We all went to a party last night and hubby is feeling a little bit hungover! So me and my little Poppi have kept ourselves busy doing some crafting.
This card is for my Brother-in-law, the big 60 next week.
I have used "Rustic Culture" digipapers and "Age" sentiments from Stamping Dragon Designs, embellishments kept simple, a button and some twine.
Links for the goodies:
Papers: http://dragonslairdesigns.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=437_518&products_id=259
Sentiment set: http://dragonslairdesigns.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=644_529&products_id=3343

I think I might be getting a bit Christmassy this afternoon....Poppi and her friend are making decorations, I think I'll join them!

Big Hugs
Fiona x
Challenges entered:
http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.co.uk/ Autumn Colours
http://herecometheboysblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Sentiments Only

HEAVY METAL ROCKS AT THE CRAFTER'S CAFE

Hi everyone.
Back again with my DT card for The Crafter's Cafe challenge blog. This week the theme is "HEAVY METAL"! We want to see you use something metallic on your cards.
Our sponsor for this challenge is the great Rick St Dennis.
I have used the Snowman digi which I've coloured in with Promarkers. I recently bought some Frantage which I LOVE, had a little play with it around the image. I like it!
I've used some freebie papers and layered up the background, and (pleased with self) made a jewelled hatpin with a dangly charm, which says "Believe". It makes me think of "The Polar Express", one of my fave Christmas films. I am sooooo excited about Christmas already! Big Kid I am!
I have also used a love metal corner decoration and finished off with a chipboard sentiment.
I'm off Christmas Internet shopping now. Happy days.....
Hugs
Fiona xx

CHRISTMAS CRAFTY SHAPES AT RHEDD & ROSIES

Hi everyone.
I'm here today with a special little number. Really enjoyed making this.....
Our sponsor over at Rhedd and Rosies is Craft ShapesTorbay and they very kindly gave us teamies some MDF shapes to play with. I chose to make a gift box, using the shapes as "removeable" Christmas tree decorations.

I started off with an empty teabag box, carefully cutting the top off, to give me an open box shape. I have covered the whole box, inside and out, with coordinating papers from Dovecrafts "Winter Wonderland" set, using Mod Podge to stick the paper on, and also as a "top coat". I LOVE this stuff; it's the first time I've used it, and certainly won't be my last! I made my own lid out of a cereal packet; this fits snuggly into the top of the box. The shapes are covered in matching papers, again with Mod Podge, and I've hung them on each side using paper fasteners and silver twine.
Hope you like it!
The theme is "Christmas is coming". All we ask is that your project follows the theme and the general rules (found on the blog) AND has two or more from the following list on it, either as a main feature or as embellishments:
 Gift, Angel, Christmas Tree, Bauble, Reindeer, Gingerbread Man, Star or Bell

Here is a pic of the FAB prize on offer from Crafty Shapes:

Isn't it LOVELY!
So it's over to you. Get your Christmas heads on, and show us your makes!
Hugs
Fiona xx

BABY. IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Well I'm up and at 'em early!
And it's frosty outside! Which has reminded me to blog my Snowman card I made on sunday!
I've used Snowman from Stamping Dragon Designs coloured in with Promarkers, and added some Twinklets for the snow. Layered onto mirri card with a piece of snowflake paper from Papermania "Mistletoe Kisses" (I think). The sentiment is also from the same pack. Oooh, and I've added a little of my lovely pompom trim which I bought LOADS of from one of our big bargain shops, which has now, unfortunately, closed.
I better go wake up the rest of my clan.
Have a good day everyone.
Hugs
Fiona xx
Challenges entered:
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ outdoors
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/ anything goes

DAY TO REMEMBER

Good Afternnon Everyone.
It's Remembrance Sunday so I've made a very special card today. For all those who fought for our freedom. Lest we forget.
I have used Delicious Doodles beautiful Poppies digistamp, which I've coloured with Promarkers. I've made a simple background using paper from the Poppy Hill paper set by Raspberry Road, layered onto red card, with some green twine wrapped around.
Also wanted to share this little bit of news:

This story made me cry yesterday, but for good reasons. Who says Facebook is rubbish?! This little snippet was posted on Facebook yesterday morning, and shared and shared, and shared some more. By word of mouth, and Facebook, Harold, God bless him, will now have the send off he deserves. Hundreds of people are now expected to attend his funeral, and pay their respects. RIP Harold. xxx
Hugs
Fiona xx
Challenges entered:
http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Remembrance Sunday or Thinking of You
http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/ Remember
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/
PS. Just an update on Harold.....over 500 people turned up to pay their respects and give him a grand farewell. This story has made me all warm inside.

MY BEST FRIEND

Good Evening Everyone!
Here's my DT make for The Crafter's Cafe challenge and it's a very special card for me, as the theme this week is "Friends", so who else to make a card for, but my best friend! We had a vast choice of images to choose from, from our sponsors, QKR Stampede. I chose the aptly named, "Friends". This is perfect for my Little Star, as she's just discovered the joys of patchwork.
I've coloured the image in with Promarkers, keeping to a pastel theme. I've made a simple background of pink check paper and pink card, wrapped with brown twine. I'm so annoyed with myself because I can't for the life of me remember where the sentiment is from. I WILL remember, and I will let you know!
Please come over and pay us a visit, let's see those makes for the special friends in your lives.
Big Hugs
Fiona xx

BIRDS AND BLOOMS

Good Morning Everyone!
My card today is my DT make for Rhedd and Rosie's and for this challenge the theme is "Birds and Blooms".
I have used a digi from Whimsy stamps called Bird Swing , coloured in with Promarkers. The background papers are from my stash and I've kept the embellishments simple; a few flowers and a dangling bird charm.
Our very own Rosie is sponsoring this challenge and here's a little pic of the prize up for grabs:

So it's over to you. Let's see your pretty tweety creations!
Hugs
Fiona xx

HAVE YOURSELF A SPARKLY CHRISTMAS

Hi everyone. Hope you are all well. I'm on a bit of a roll! Amazing what you can achieve when work doesn't get in the way!
This is another Christmas card I've made using a digistamp from Lacy Sunshine. This little cutie is called Snowflake Quality Control.
I've coloured her in with Promarkers (I should really start listing colours used, sorry!). For the background, I've embossed a piece of white card with my Swiss Dots embossing folder, layering this on a piece of deep red card. I pinched a piece of silver netting from my little girl's crafty stash (I'm sure I must've given it to her in the first place, so technically, it's mine!), then added my die-cut image. I cut and layered a couple of snowflakes on my Cricut, and finished of with lots of sparkly gems.
Hope you like it.
Hugs
Fiona xx
Challenges entered:
http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.co.uk/  Emboss it
http://lacysunshinechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Bling it up
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything Goes

BLUE BLUE CHRISTMAS

Hello!
I'm back again! Here's my second card of the day. This time I've used an image from Lacy Sunshine called Snowflake. She has been coloured in with Promarkers and Flexmarkers, with a little Stickles added for Christmas sparkle.
I've used papers from Dovecraft's "Winter Wonderland" collection, used one of my gauze swabs, and some lovely sparkly pearl-edged lace. Simply finished off with lots of gems!
That's it from me today, promise!
Have a happy weekend.
Hugs
Fiona xx
Challenges entered:
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Blue and white only
http://lacysunshinechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Bling it up
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes

POPPIES POPPIES EVERYWHERE

Good afternoon everyone!
This is probably my favourite card of this crafting year. Only because it's all about poppies! I do love my poppies,especially the little one that be my daughter!
The image I have used is from Delicious Doodles and she, of course, is called Poppy!
I have coloured her in using Promakers and layered her up on some cream card. The background is layers of papers from Raspberry Road Designs; the two I've used are from the Poppy Hill Paper Set and they are just gorgeous! And I've used three different die-cuts - the corner, the leaves and the ribbon-threaded edge piece. I've finished it all off with three poppies from my stash.
This is a card that will end up framed on my wall....I love it!
Bug Hugs
Fiona xx
Challenges entered:
http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ One image, two designer papers, and three die-cuts.
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes
http://createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/

SIMPLE IS AS SIMPLE DOES

Hello fellow Bloggers!
As the title states, it's simples from me again. I've had a week off work with hubby and the kiddiwinks, hoped to catch up on a few things, and completely forgot about Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas challenge. This has to be the ONE challenge I always try and enter, (1) because it's for Christmas and I like spreading the work throughout the year, and (2) because Hazel is so lovely and puts alot of work into her blogs! I also enter Pixie's Crafty Workshop playground challenges when I'm using "snippets"; Di is also a very nice lady and as well as expert cards, she also sometimes has food on her blog, and I do love my food!
So, my card, a Kraft card base with a couple of snippets of some freebie papers, to which I added a string of Jingle Bells! Can't get much simpler than that, and I think this is an ideal card for a little person because it makes a noise!
Enjoy your evening!
Hugs
Fiona xx
Challenges entered:
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ "music"
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/ "anything goes"
http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.co.uk/

CRAFTING FOR ALL SEASONS DT CALL

Hi all.
As I'm enjoying my little part of the big crafting world right now, I thought I'd have a bash at this! Crafting For All Seasons are after new members for their design team. Yay!
Here are the details:

Here's what would be expected from you as a DT member:

1. Make a project once a fortnight according to the theme, sponsor images may be available. Post your project timeously to the DT blog and post on your own blog at 9.00am GMT on the day of the challenge.
2. Comment on numbers assigned to you ( two numbers out of ten).
3. Choose a Top Three after the challenge closes.
4. Have fun!!   

The initial term will be from January to June 2014
All you have to do is showcase three of your favourite projects and write a little about you!
So here goes ME!
I'm married, we have two kids, and I work at a well-known chemist. I drink far too much coffee, and eat way too many bags of crisps! My greatest love is stamping and coloring; as long as I have my Pro-markers, I'm a happy lady! I enjoy making shaped cards, and love being able to make personalized cards and gifts. And that's me!
The cards I make can be simple or more elaborate,as you can see from the three I've chosen to showcase:

And that's my style!

Got everything crossed for this one! 

Hugs

Fiona xx

OUT ON A WHIMSY

Hi everyone.
Mr Mojo has returned! Yay!
I can't believe this is my first card using a digi from Whimsy stamps. It won't be my last! This little lady is called "Wee Suzi" and I went all out with my Promarkers to get those pleats right! Did I do ok?
The background is what I call a bargain.....I went to a closing down sale last week and picked up the paper and the lace from there, as well as lots of other goodies. I've done faux stitching with a fine nibbed Promarker, and added a gauze swab (love these!) and a metal filigree corner which I've "frantaged", another first for me. I'll be doing lots of that in the next few months, it's a good way to keep warm in my little craft room!
The flowers are from my stash and I've poked in a few curly stems (waste not, want not).
Hope you like it!
Off now to make some Christmas cards.
Hugs
Fiona xx
Challenges entered:
http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/challenge-64-whimsy-stamps-shabby.html "Shabby chic/Vintage"
http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ "Anything goes"

SAY GOODBYE TO SUMMER

Hi again....I know, THREE blog posts in one day! Wanted to share this one with everyone as a little pick me up, as the weather here has been so wet and well, just rubbish!
I made this card a few days ago for the challenge over at Stamping with Dragon. I read the remit wrong though, typical me! This started out as a square easel card, but the challenge is "CIRCLES" so I had to amend it. Can you tell?
The image is called "Summer Fun" designed by the lovely Janette, who owns Stamping Dragon Designs.
I've coloured it in with Promarkers and made a CIRCULAR easel card, layered with some papers, also from Stamping Dragons. The paper pack can be found here. The postcard stamp is also from their shop, such a versatile stamp. I love it! You can find it here, in a pack of FOUR!
Hope that's cheered up your day a little.
Big Hugs
Fiona
Challenges entered:
http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.co.uk/ "Circles"