The Make and Create Shop

There's a new on-line shop called

The Make and Create Shop

which is well worth checking out

I just love the Very Vintage kit

I'm Back

Hi everyone, I'm back. For those of you who don't know, I've had a change of circumstances since March. I left the house I shared with my ex-husband and went to stay with my youngest sister and her husband for a few weeks. In that time, I did some serious saving and on 1st May got the keys to a flat rental. It's just the right size for me and my craft goodies and it feels like home already. I have done some crafting since moving in and will photograph it sometime soon. I also went to a couple of localish crops and will photograph those LOs too.

It's taken me until now to remember my log-in details for this blog which frustrated me as I had a couple of comments to allow publishing for. Sorry to the ladies that spent time to comment, they're now on here and thank you.

Hope you're all doing ok and see you here sometime soon

Love and hugs, Sarah C xoxoxo

Catch Up

This may be a long post, but I think I'm like some of my friends and have realised I've neglected my craft blog a bit. Here's a catch up on what I've done since I was last here.

Mojo's on a little holiday at the moment, so I've no idea when I'll be back here. Sooner rather than later I hope.

Let's Hear It For The Fab Four and A Card Almost Revealed

Last week's challenge on UKScrappers, set by the Norty Crew, was to use

* A Beatles song title - 10pts

** Either black & white or Red,white & blue - 10pts

***Ribbon, a tree or a weaving technique - 10pts

I've used a photo that was taken about 20 years ago. I had taken the son of one of my cousin's to meet up with a child my youngest sister was looking after. We decided to take them to a local park and they kept running off ahead of us, hence the title. The journalling reads "No matter how many times we shouted it, you'd still run off ignoring us!"

So, the challenge:

* I've used 2 songs 'Wait' and 'Slow Down'

** Colour combination was easy as both boys were wearing red, white and blue

*** Nearly forgot the ribbon, so added some around 2 sides of the photo

I reckon that's all parts of the challenge met, so full points for me for my team Ruby Snippers and my house Gold Eyelets. The title was designed on my ROBO, cut 4 times out of 100gsm paper and stuck in layers.

I nearly forgot, I made a card a few weeks ago for a friend of mine and had hidden the sentiment in the corner. I said I'd reveal once she'd received it. Well, she had her birthday yesterday and the card arrived on time which is a miracle for me this year!! But, I can't show you the card in it's entirity as I only saved the hidden version of it!! What am I like???? lol  So, you know who you are HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR YESTERDAY. I hope you had a fantastic day. 

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs,

Sarah C xoxoxo

Five In One Challenge Card

Once you start making a card, it's surprising how many challenges it sometimes ends up being suitable for.

I made a card last night (Sunday) and used the sketch from the JUST CHRISTMAS AND BIRTHDAYS blog, after turning it round. I'd already coloured the Holly image in using watercolour paints and realised it fitted with PAPERTAKE WEEKLY's pink/orange/brown, MY TIME TO CRAFT's hat and adding the right sentiment meant that it fitted with ONE STOP CRAFT CHALLENGE's sorry challenge. After photographing it, I also found that I'd completed DOTTIE'S WORLD's get the feeling as I'd used ribbon and velvet brads.

I'm late uploading it for some of the challenges, but never mind. I made it because I wanted to, adding in the challenges was a bonus. The Holly image is available for download as part of a collection exclusively from Charmed. While you're there, look out for the latest utterly amazing collection ~ Holly and Madison's World Tour.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxo

Challenges galore

I've had a crafty couple of days and managed to make a couple of LOs and cards. In doing so, I've joined in with a few challenges too.

On UKScrappers, Shimelle has started a year of challenges. Titles 'Scrap Like You Mean It', she's setting a different challenge each week. Here's my week 1 - scrap in your favourite colour. The smaller photos are passport ones and they certainly show the changing faces of me since 2005. Drag yours out and have a look at how you've changed. You may be surprised.


This LO is done for 2 challenges. On UKScrappers, the weekly challenge was a simple one to ease us into the new year gently. They challenged us to scrap a celebration using 12 of something and buttons. I've scrapped the couple I was a bridesmaid for 25 years ago at their Silver Wedding party and used 12 blooms and buttons.

Ruth's members challenge on 3C's was to use the sketch she provided, re-cycle Christmas wrapping/cards and add hand journalling. I hope the re-cycle bit's ok as I've written on the acetate window from a box of dairy and nut free chocolates I was given at Christmas.

Dottie's World challenge was set by Karen who said "Start the New Year with a Laugh" . I simply want to see "something funny" on your project, what you use and how you make it is up to you. Oh and of course you must use one of the Charmed downloads." I've used one of the pre-coloured Sarah images from Girls About Town and added the background using a programme I have on my computer. The sentiment says: He did say "Buy yourself some shoes". How was I to know he meant 1 pair? All entries get a free Scruff in the tub download.

One Stop Craft Challenge - totally missed the buttons or brads part so I can't enter the competition, but I did follow the sketch.

Sketch Saturday have a sketch competition.

Scrummy Stash Cafe have challenged us with the theme of NEW. I've used my NEW easter stamp so I hope that counts.

Thanks for looking.

Take care
Love and hugs to you all

Something New

Crafty Muse have this title for the latest challenge and here's my work:



I've used MillyRose and teddy that I coloured in using a free downloadable programme Paint.net. After importing the coloured image into Word, I added the matting backgrounds and wording and printed it all onto photo paper. This was stuck to a base card and ribbon added with DST.

I was going to appologise for giving you a computer generated card this week, but I've changed my mind. It's done like this mainly because I can hardly see my craft desk and I'm also still quite poorly, but it does show the versatility of downloadable images.

Quick update on me: I caught what the nurse thought was a virus at the end of September, now the docs don't know what it is! I ache all over, I'm unable to get comfortable, I'm sneezing and coughing all the time, feel really lethargic, can't sit at the computer for long at a time and don't feel like crafting (now I know I'm not well!! LOL). I did manage this week's challenge LO on UKS the other day and I've done an ATC for part of Ruth's challenge on 3C's, but that's all. So, until I can get here again take care.

HAPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
Love from me xoxoxox

Busy, Busy, Busy

I've not been here for a few days to post as I've been with my yongest sister. We've been sorting out her wedding stationery and such. I had a couple of nights at her's too. Other than that, things are quiet around here. I'm busy Christmas crafting now, so will upload piccies in the New Year. I'm hoping to fit in some card challenges and more in between the rest, so watch this space still.

Hope you're all keeping well.

Take care

Love and hugs

Craft A Butterfly

Simple really, craft a butterfly or two and send them fluttering to the Holocaust Museum, in Houston to help remember the innocent children that were caught up in this. Here's what they say:

In an effort to remember them, Holocaust Museum Houston is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies. The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition, currently scheduled for Spring 2012, for all to remember.

As of Summer 2008, we have already collected an estimated 400,000 butterflies.

I'll be leaving links on the top right of my blog, so that you can all visit the official website. Also, Dan from UKScrappers has information on his blog and (should you need or want them) butterfly templates too. The links are also there.

This is your chance to craft and make a difference.

Thanks for looking

Take care
Love and hugs

Sweets

One Stop Craft Challenge have set a challenge to craft something with a hidden message. I had a think and came up with this


As you eat the sweets, the Christmas greetings will be revealed.

Thanks for looking

Love and hugs

Craft Your Resolution

Karen set us a challenge on 3C's to craft our resolution. It could be a resolution from last year or one we intend to set this year. I had a hard time racking my brain (and yes, it was in there somewhere LOL) and finally came up with this:

I have a habit of remembering a birthday or special occasion on the day or a day before/after which is no good if I want to post a card to arrive on time!! I keep telling myself every year, that this will be the year that EVERYONE gets their card on time, but nope, it doesn't happen. It will now though, I hope.

I took 2 pieces of 380gsm white card and cut each to fit over the envelopes with an overlap on the right side. I covered the fronts with PP from My Mind's Eye Bohemian and sewed a button (from Charmed) onto each. I covered the insides and inked the edges in brown. I layered and stuck 5 blooms, then stuck them on the front. I used Ellison's Alpha-In-A-Box die-cuts for the lettering which I cut using a spare envelope (to give the same texture), inked them also in brown, and stuck them using my Xyron 150 sticker maker. I wrapped and knotted fibres round the buttons so the album could be tied closed.

The envelopes are larger than C5 ones so that I can get a few cards inside each. All I'll need to do then is find envelopes for the cards before posting/giving to the recipients. I stamped the month several times on the fronts of the envelopes alternating each envelope with green and brown ink. I used my large journalling stamp to add the lines and wrote the details on in the contrasting ink. I punched a couple of holes in each and added eyelets for strength.

Once this was done, all I had to do was add a couple of book-rings and some extra fibres and ribbons and a small tassel.

Using envelopes and book-rings means I can add an envelope if I need more storage or change one if needed.

I'm hoping to enter more card challenges and decided that those could most possibly be some of the cards I fill this with.

Thanks for looking. Love and hugs as always

Catch Up, But No Craft To Show

Sometimes life is a series of hills and mountains that need climbing. After getting (almost) over my virus, I'm jobless!. I never got the one at Cambridge or one they put me in for at Histon. I got asked if I'd like my CV putting forward for one at Papworth, but I can't get there on the bus and don't have daily access to a car. So, here I am waiting to hear if I can get Job Seeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit again. Until then, I'm living off the money I saved from the work I have done this year! I did have details of a job that; if I got it, would have set me up for the next phase of my life. But, after ringing a mobile several times to be told the inbox was full, I found out that they'd had at least 100 people ring and were ploughing through them before opening it up again, if at all! Until a job comes along and inbetween job hunting, I'm free to talk to and see family and friends, catch up with my friends on forums, blog and blog hop and of course craft!!!

After 2 weeks of being mostly indoors, I've been lucky enough to have 3 days out and about where I've taken some Autumn photos. Don't faint, but I've even managed to update my photo blog with some of them.

I spent 2 days/evenings making some Christmas cards this week. One of my sisters had hoped to have a stall at a local fete. She asked if I'd like her to try and sell some of my cards in return for looking after her children while she did it. Of course I said yes. The chance to have some time with my niece and nephews was enough, but it had the added prospect of maybe making a little money. Unfortunately it never happened, so I'm left with quite a few cards looking for homes. My plan B is to see if David's Dad still wants some cards to sell at his church to raise some funds and split the proceeds. Will be good if he says yes, but I have a plan C which is to keep them and add to them over the year and then have a stall myself somewhere.

That's my catch-up. See you here again soon.

Take care, love and hugs

Someone's Been Crafting

I did a LO a while ago titled 'Craft or Sleep?' and I had comments telling me how tidy it looked. Well, I'd just had a major sort out before I took the photos so that's why.

Here's proof that it doesn't always look like that:

And yes, it does spill onto my bed too!!!

So to answer my LO question 'craft or sleep?' definately CRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm So Lucky

Lea, my wonderful friend from Charmed and blogland and someone I'm getting to meet in September, has given me this award. Thank you so much.



The rules are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her 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 of the girls you’ve nominated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, I've had a think about this and hopefully found 7 of you who haven't yet received this. Please don't be offended if your name's not here. I'm trying to leave some of you for others to give this to.

Tee my friend, I'm giving you this for your photo blog. I love it and you take some marvellous photos.

Maddie, I love your crafting, you've been a great source of inspiration to me and a brilliant friend since I joined your team on UKS.

Wendy, I need to add you to my blog roll and pay you a visit. I love seeing your work and like Maddie, you too have been a great source of inspiration and a brilliant friend.

Juliet what can I say? You are a brilliant friend and a talented crafter. I am so looking forward to seeing you in September.

Karen, your blog, your forum and you rock. You are the best.

Mellie, you might take ages to update your blog, but it's well worth the wait. Love seeing what you've done and chatting to you on 3C's.

Ruth, hope you're enjoying your camping trip. I love seeing your cards and your idea for paper stumps is fantastic. Keep up the great work.

Shelley, you're my number 8 as I know you've already got this, but you have shown me that it is possible to conquer all if you try. Plus your crafting is fab, fab, fab. I just wanted to let the crafty blog world know about you and your art.

Aargh..........

I've been having a rough time getting onto all your blogs to see how you are, what you've been up to and leave you comments. I hope you don't think I've been ignoring you as I really have been trying hard to reach you. For some reason, I can open your blogs and start scrolling down before it freezes and I have to close my browser. I've been able to leave 1 comment in the last 3 days and it's driving me crazy. Even my blog froze on me earlier. I so wish I knew why, but hopefully it'll right itself. In the meantime, I'll keep trying to reach you.

Hope you are all well, enjoying this sunshine, keeping as cool as you can and crafting loads (if you're a crafter that is, if not hope you're doing what you enjoy doing).

Awarded

I have been given an award by the talented Ana. Thank you. I had also been given it the other day, so here's the link for any of you who are reading this. Please take the award for yourself with my love as you are all kind enough to visit my blog

Craft or Sleep?

I thought I'd show you all where I spend lots of my time.

The journalling:

Base card is yellow Bazzill and the PP that I've cut is DCWV Glitter Posies. I die-cut the title on my Tag-A-Long with Tootsie alphabet and pale blue paper. As a final touch I added a 'made with love' metal heart.

I was going to do a DLO and use a photo of my bed, but I'm wondering whether to do that or something else. Watch this space.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Haven't we had some glorious weather these last few days? I've had the windows and French doors open every day and even sat outside to eat. Summer's here at last ~ woohoo!!!

Another Day, Another Dollar - Ok, Another Pound!!

Hi all,

Quick update on work. Some of you know I finally got a job with a temping agency to work in an office about 40 minutes drive from mine. Would you believe I've just completed my 6th week there? Well, the new permanent girl starts on Monday :( I said my goodbyes to a couple of the girls that finish at 3:30pm and at 4pm, I was told I could go too. Before I did, my supervisor decided that she'd like me to come in on Monday as I knew how to do some of the work and could help out while she was sorting out the new recruit IYSWIM. Of course I said yes and it's been decided that I will be there for as long as she needs me. Might mean an early finish some days, but we'll see how it goes and take it from there.

I've so loved being there. All the staff are friendly and (unusually for a large company) everyone is so welcoming and helpful. In the past, I've found that no matter where you work, there's often at least one person who you don't get on with too much. I've not found that to be the case. I've also seen how the permanent staff interact with each other and it's brilliant. I'm happy to be going back and looking forward to seeing them all again.

As for this week-end, I have to go to the bank to pay-in some cheques (2 are birthday ones from the beginning of this month!), then it's home to craft once I've had a tidy up and can see my desk again!

Will be back at the end of the week-end hopefully with crafty tales and photos.

Tagged Back

My great friend Tee has tagged me back. In her words "ok...I have chosen only 4 of the 5....I think most others on my list of favourites have been picked by others and sometimes twice! Sooo since its ok to be chosen twice...I chose Sarah C ."

Thanks Tee, love you too. As I've already answered the questions, I don't think I need to again do I?

Here are the questions:

1. If a movie was being made of your life who would you like to be cast to play yourself? And why?

2. You are spending a whole month on a desert island for charity and you have to choose your favourite celebrity to spend the first two weeks with & your least favourite celebrity to spend the second two weeks with, who would they be & why?

3. What are your three favourite crafting products?

4. If you could invent something to do anything what do you think it would be?

5. What are the last three books that you read?

6. Qvc or create & Craft?

7. Docrafts or Dovecraft or DCWV?

8. What is your claim to fame?

I'm going to tag:

Ana, Sian, Pinky, Nicola, Shelley

Once again, I can't tag you all or we'd run out of people to tag.

Love to you all

xxx

I've Been Tagged

Donna's tagged me with these questions (thanks Donna):

1. If a movie was being made of your life who would you like to be cast to play yourself? And why?
2. You are spending a whole month on a desert island for charity and you have to choose your favourite celebrity to spend the first two weeks with & your least favourite celebrity to spend the second two weeks with, who would they be & why?
3. What are your three favourite crafting products?
4. If you could invent something to do anything what do you think it would be?
5. What are the last three books that you read?
6. Qvc or create & Craft?
7. Docrafts or Dovecraft or DCWV?
8. What is your claim to fame?

My answers are:

1. Dawn French, because she can be funny and serious and is my fave comedienne

2. Dawn French would have to be with me for the same reasons as before. It's difficult picking just one to not be there, but definately Catherine Tate. Imagine hearing "Am I bovvered?" all the time ~ aargh!!!!!

3. Patterned paper/card, my purple crop-a-dile, ribbons (my likes change all the time, but I'm thinking these will always be my top faves)

4. I'd invent a machine that would provide me with any craft item I wanted, when I wanted it and FREE. Would save me having to find room to store all my goodies and I could spend my money on other things. Best of all worlds I reckon LOL

5. I don't read as much as I used to and I've got a bookcase full of books waiting to be read. It takes me ages to get through one, but the book I'm reading at the moment is: Looking for Andrew McCarthy by Jenny Colgan.

6. Create & Craft, but only for the tips and ideas

7. Whatever's on offer usually, if I like it that is?

8. Several years ago I was on hols with my sister at Great Yarmouth. We went to a laser light show put on by Jim Davidson (it was his theatre) and afterwards we went for a drink at his bar. Who should turn round to serve us, but Jim himself. Forget the measuring thingy, he just poured straight from the bottle to the glass. Goodness knows how many measures we got for the price of a single. He's actually a really nice person with a great sense of humour. Ok, maybe not the most glamorous claim to fame, but that's all I've got for you.

I'm passing this on to 5 people:
Tee Juliet Lea Marlou Mellie

Please don't be offended if you're not on this list. I've not tagged you all as maybe one of these people tag you instead.