Foxy's Crafts

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-27T06:16:00.000-08:00

This is the jumper which I started knitting for my eldest before Christmas (.... yes I KNOW it's nearly March now) and I finally finished it this week. It took sooooo long because I stopped halfway through to get the Christmas presents finished and ALL my Christmas knitting got pushed back because of that nasty chest infection I had. Apparently it was worth waiting for tho because he's worn it after school every day since I finished it on Tuesday! I have to admit that the sizing is a little bit off ... it'll probably fit him til he's about 12!

It's fun, funky and furry!

2010-02-15T07:31:00.001-08:00

This is the hot water bottle cover that I have just knitted for one of my friends who takes her hottie bottie EVERYWHERE with her .... even while she's waiting for the kids after school! She wanted something with pink, turquoise and cream and said the more OTT the better so I think she got her request! Hubby says it looks like a rat but I think it's probably more chinchilla ;o)

I got the pattern from a calendar which was given away with a magazine last year and I used plain black aran wool with pink "chinchilla" eyelash yarn and turquoise "fizz" eyelash yarn. It is fastened with little turquoise flower buttons since the suppliers sent yellow butterfly buttons rather than the blue ones I ordered but I think they still count as extra OTT elements. Now I just have to hope that she likes it when I give it to her this week.

On the subject of liking what I've made, I delivered the completed Christening invitation order that I got last week earlier today and got some really positive feedback. It's always really nice to hear that people really like what you have made.

Now I'm away to start on making some more Christmas presents for this year. I've got a load of yellowy eyelash yarn so I'm thinking of making some luxurious fluffy scarves for some of my friends and I'm also trawling magazines for patterns for bigger presents for the family ... if only I wasn't so indecisive! So many patterns ..... so little time! Mind you since it's pouring with rain I think knitting is preferable to stripping turf off the allotment plot!

It's a learning curve

2010-02-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

This time last year I decided I was going to learn how to knit and crochet and I have to admit that I am very proud of myself with my progress. I have crochetted scarves, mittens, hats, jumpers, cardigans and a full medieval peasant's costume(!) and knitted scarves, bags, socks, jumpers and cardigans. I have just completed my first cabling efforts and now I'm working on a hot water bottle cover for a friend which uses stranded colour work in the intarsia style. I'm using some rather funky pink and turquoise eyelash yarns which are confusing the issue a little but I am slowly getting there. Today's lesson was creating button holes using a mid-row cast on. I have used the backwards loop method and it is so far so good as far as that is concerned.

My other new learning curve is to do with our new allotment. We were allocated an allotment last month and went and bought a ton and a half of seeds yesterday so this morning while my little munchkin was at nursery, hubby and I went to start stripping the turf off the plot. Luckily he was a horticulturalist in one of his former career paths so he knows what he is doing but I'm learning from scratch. Today he showed me how to lift the turf without damaging too much of the top soil and how to roll the turf strips efficiently to allow them to dry and reclaim the soil that is attached to them. We were only there for about 2 hours and we managed about 4 rows of stripping so hopefully by this time next week we'll be ready to prep the soil and can start potting the seeds to start them off..... ooooh I can't wait!

Pretty Tilda

2010-02-09T05:12:00.000-08:00

I was making a card for a crafty friend this week so I was trawling through my stamps and had a flash of inspiration moment ..... the layout I used in this card just really reminded me of Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are at the piano.

As you probably predicted, the image is coloured with promarkers.

Believe it or not ...... I actually made a card today!

2010-02-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

Not the card that I NEED to make (it's my eldest's birthday tomorrow and there is still no card for him!) but one for my sister for her birthday next week.

I used my new Tilda sitting in dungarees stamp and a couch stamp ..... it's not Magnolia but it's the right size for Tilda to sit on! I coloured the image with promarkers in an attempt to practice my shading since I am SOOOOOOO rusty!

What do you think of it? Do you think it is suitable for a 26 year old? Well it better had be coz I doubt I'll be making a replacement hahahaha!

OK so I'm a RUBBISH blogger :o(

2010-02-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

I've been soooooo lame at blogging over the past six months I wholeheartedly apologise!

It's been one of those times when life got in the way of crafting. I had some orders for Christmas cards but apart from that there was very little in the way of work and as a result very little in the way of stash cash :o(

I had a bit of a health issue in the autumn when I found a lump in my breast but luckily I was referred to the Primrose Unit very quickly and was VERY relieved to find that the lump was not sinister. It has been and gone and come back again but at least I know it's nothing to worry about. I've also had my usual bout of S.A.D. this winter and I have to say it seems to be getting worse ...... I used to be able to shake it off with a bit of Christmas hype but this year even that didn't work and I spent part of Christmas Day in tears. Hopefully now that January has been replaced by February and the snow that seemed to close Cornwall for half of January is behind us (tho further North still seems to be suffering from the big freeze) I can start to pick up again.

I have been keeping busy with plenty of woolcraft while I've been AWOL tho, friends and family almost ALL got hand knitted or crochetted gifts from us for Christmas - scarves, hats, jumpers, shrugs ...... stand still long enough and I'll knit something to cover you up!

Most recently tho I have actually made something for MYSELF!

I got the pattern from a knitting magazine from last year but it is also available in the Rowan booklet 46. I've never tried cable knitting before so I was really pleased with the result.

Exciting Promarker News

2009-07-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Just HAD to tell you before I burst .................... from next week I will have Promarkers and Tria markers available to buy from my website!!

To start with there will be a minimum order of £10 but U may well remove this in the future once I start getting regular orders. Standard P&P charge should be £1.50 for up to 5 pens and £2.50 over that.

Single Promarkers will be £1.50 and the 5 pen packs will be £7 - other sets and prices are available on request.

It's a bit like buses ......

2009-07-02T06:21:00.001-07:00

Can't be bothered making a card for ages and then two come along at once lol!

After making the Passion for Promarkers challenge card with the Penny Black image I decided I NEEDED to use the Moss Green on this lovely Willow stamp from Whiff of Joy so I included a smattering of Poppy on the image as well and I'm really pleased with the result. It's the first time I've tried shading blue jeans and I'm quite happy with the way they've turned out.

I used
layers of Moss Green for Willow's jumper,
Poppy for the mug of hot chocolate, her socks and the decorations on her jeans
Royal Blue with Indigo Blue shading for her jeans
Ivory with Blush shading for the skin tones
and Gold, Yellow and Canary for her hair

Another challenge card

2009-07-02T02:58:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day in a while that I've FELT like crafting, the weather has freshened a bit and I'm feeling altogether more human. The sunburn I got from the school fete on Friday is finally feeling better (tho I still look like I have leperosy or something coz I'm peeling SOOOOOOO much) and I'm on a high after I found out that the fete raised over £1500!!!

Anyway, I digress ...... I have made this card for the Papertake Weekly Challenge sketch and the Passion for Promarkers Challenge colour combination of Poppy and Moss Green.

I used a Penny Black image, and used the Moss Green and Poppy promarkers for the girls clothes, satin, cinnamon and dusky pink for the cake, cinnamon, cocoa and henna for the hair and ivory and blush for the skin. The paper and vellum came from my old stash and the ribbons were from my christmas wrappings box.

Summery Tilda card

2009-06-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

I tried to post this card on my blog on Thursday to tie in with both the Just Magnolia challenge and the Passion for Promarkers challenge. Unfortunately t'interweb was misbehaving so I couldn't do it and now I'm too late for the Just Magnolia challenge anyway.

I used Lemon with Gold for the shading on Tilda's butterfly wings and trousers and Meadow Green with Apple shading for her dress and headband. I used Cinnamon, Cocoa and Henna for her hair and Lemon for the edging of the scallopped Nestability.

Get Well Soon Chloe!

2009-06-12T05:33:00.000-07:00

One of the little girls at my sons' school has been very poorly so I offered to make a card for the class to send to her in hospital.

I used my computer to generate a Word Art sentiment which I printed directly onto the card. I used some lovely spotty and stripey ribbons from Anita's and tied knots in it to add some textured detail and two images of Dexter the Bear from Sugar Nellie (I got him in a "Lucky Bag" from Funky Kits)

To tie in with this week's challenge at Passion for Promarkers I coloured Dexter using Cinnamon and Pumpkin Promarkers.

Bear - Cinnamon with Henna shading and Blush ears
Jumper - Pumpkin with bright orange shading on the stripes and cuffs

Candles for Camelford

2009-06-12T05:15:00.000-07:00

Today is the big medieval banquet in Camelford and I'm ALMOST ready for it ..... got soaking wet hair but that's a minor point!

Here are some of the candles that I have made to take with me:

This one is coloured for the Passion for Promarkers challenge - I used
Cool Grey 2 and 3 for the stonework,
Pastel Blue for the window,
Cinnamon with Cocoa shading for the table
Cinnamon and Pumpkin with Bright Orange shading for Princess Poppy's Gown and Wimple,
Ivory and Blush for the skin tones
Yellow and Gold for the hair

For these candles I used the tissue paper method, I stamped the Poppy and Paddy images from my designs using Ink It Up Black Dye Ink Pad onto tissue paper and then carefully coloured them with my promarks before attaching them to the candles by placing the tissue paper in position, covering with greaseproof paper and then heating with my heat gun before buffing to a nice finish.

Passion for Promarkers and Just Magnolia Challenges

2009-06-08T23:56:00.000-07:00

Here is my entry for the sketch challenge on Just Magnolia combined with the Pastel Pink and Apple challenge on Passion for Promarkers

I used coredinations cardstock for the pink backgrounds, the strip of green and the the scalloped circle (which was cut on my robo) were cut from white card and coloured with the Pastel Pink and Apple Promarkers. The wings and the sentiment were highlighted and written with my black Sakura Stardust pen.

I coloured the clothes on the Magnolia image with Apple and Pastel Pink Promarkers. I used Ivory, Blush and Dusky Pink Promarkers for the flesh-tones and Cinnamon, Cocoa and Henna Promarkers for the hair.

Got it in the bag .......

2009-05-29T06:49:00.001-07:00

Mum has given me her old sewing machine on extended loan and it had been sat in the back of the car since she gave it to me on Sunday so today while hubby was out at work and the kids were playing on the trampoline I decided to pull out the big piece of circus animal material that I've had since I was pregnant the second time (I intended to make a patchwork quilt but never got round to it and that "bump" is now nearly 6!) and have an experiment. The result as you can see is a sort of shopping bag ..... it's sized for a 4 year old to take books to nursery etc or keep teddies in. I'd intended it to go into my "Christmas Box" of presents made ready for the festive season but Rhiannon took a real liking to it so she's got the prototype and the second version is in the Christmas Box instead ...... good job really coz the second one is miles neater than the first.

This is a (woolly) mammoth task

2009-05-28T02:39:00.000-07:00

After making Little Miss's cardi my mum asked if she could have one ...... yeah of course she can ........... except the pattern I have only goes up to 3-4 years and lets just say mum's needs to be a little larger than that! So now I'm winging it really, adapting the pattern to fit a UK size 20-22 and hoping for the best. So far I've finished the back panel and made a start on one of the front pieces but I'm gonna need some serious PMA to get this to work. That said, I'm going to be soooooooo smug if it works out in the end ..... watch this space!

Passion for Promarkers Challenge #1

2009-05-27T02:12:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the new challenge blog at Passion for Promarkers there are some amazing prizes on offer for this week's first challenge (INCLUDING A FULL SET OF PROMARKERS!!!!!) which is an "Anything Goes" Challenge - well, anything as long as it involves at least one promarker!

I had been asked to make a personalised new baby card for my son's T.A. who is now a very proud aunt to a lovely baby girl. She had seen the simple Forever Friends baby cards that I made but wanted personalisation added to the design so I made this ......

The image is a Forever Friends Baby Bear from DoCrafts, the matting and layering is done with rose and lilac coredinations cardstock and the wording is all computer generated.

I coloured the image with:
Layered Satin Promarker for the bear
Blush Promarker for the bear highlights
Layered Rose Promarker for the nappy and the bear's ears
Lilac Promarker for the dummy and nappy pin
and
Pastel Blue Promarker for the outline of the image

Launceston Medieval day

2009-05-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Kernow Levy

Last Saturday was a GLORIOUS day - beautiful sunshine (nobody told the weather it was a bank holiday weekend!) made for a great day at Launceston Castle for the medieval day.

I got there with the kids just before 10am in time for the procession of the re-enacters Kernow Levy through the town and because we had gone in our medieval costumes to promote the Camelford events we were invited to join in the procession! The boys were thrilled as the Town Crier announced them as "Knights in Training" to the whole town.

Once we got to the castle the kids had an absolute ball running around the grounds, climbing over the walls and having their own battle re-enactments to challenge the more official displays from Kernow Levy.

My latest creation ........ complete!

2009-05-22T01:31:00.001-07:00

Beautifully modelled by my little princess :o)

I used a pattern from the free selection over on Lion Brand which is called "Short and Sweet". It is made in DK yarn using half treble stitch and it was so quick and easy to make I think she may well end up with a selection in various colours. This one was made specifically to go over her medieval dress (she wanted a cape like mine but she's 3 and would NEVER have kept a cape in place) but since it only took 1 1/2 balls of wool and a few evenings to make I'm planning on making a few more....... once I've found another pattern to make something for the boys so they don't feel left out!

I am so pleased with the result so I'm sorry if I go on about it but I've not been doing crochet for very long and getting a decent result is quite an achievement for me ......and Rhiannon loves it too, so much so that she's insisted on wearing it to nursery today!

I'm all baked out ..........

2009-05-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

DD (aged 3) had a friend to come and play after nursery yesterday so I had spent a HUGE amount of time trying to make the place look respectable for the little girl's gran (Is it just me who does that?) and the plan was that the girls would get to play out on the trampoline and tire themselves out in the process. UNFORTUNATELY, the great British weather decided to step in and the torrential rain meant that they couldn't even manage one bounce for fear of getting webbed feet :o)

Plan B ...... oh heck why hadn't I planned a Plan B???? In the end we had a baking session and they made chocolate fairy cakes with glace icing and sprinkles on top and a big tray of shortbread. I never realised how much mess two giggling pre-schoolers could make ................. but BOY did they have fun! By the time gran came to pick our visitor up they were both COVERED in sticky icing and cake mix where they had been licking the bowl :o) Makes you wonder why I bothered tidying in the first place!

Once normality had been resumed (ie once the kids had eaten tea and were engrossed in a Dr Who episode), I set to work on finishing a card for my friend's sister who had her first baby yesterday (*Congratulations Cathryn*) and ended up almost as sticky as the girls had been! By then end of it my fingers were covered in Sky Blue and Cyan Promarker and PVA glue *BLEURGH* ----- The resulting card is a double decorated gatefold A5 creation using a Robo'd pram template from UKScrappers. I hope you like it.

AND THE WINNER IS ..........

2009-05-16T02:28:00.001-07:00

Apologies for being late in announcing the winner of my blog candy challenge ...... sometimes real life just gets in the way.

Anyway, the winner is Julie

Congratulations Julie, can you contact me with your address and let me know which set of Paddy and Poppy toPPPers you would like .... you can choose any of the original series or one of the new designs.

MayDay MayDay MayDay

2009-05-14T01:23:00.000-07:00

Unite and unite and let us all unite,
For summer is acome unto day,
And whither we are going we will all unite,
In the merry morning of May.
Padstow May Day Song

Don't know about you, but somehow May means Summer whereas April is still Spring. So Spring has Sprung and now it's time for some Summer Fun!

So to start the summer fun I am setting a blog challenge with the chance to win some candy!

All I am asking you to do to be in with a chance of winning is to make a card or other craft project using PINK, BLUE and CREAM as the colour theme (coz those colours make me think of summer weddings and flouncy summer dresses! You can use any products or designs that you like but if you use one of the Poppy, Paddy or Pipkin designs from Foxcraft Cards then you will get an extra chance to win as a little thank you from me for the support you have given in setting up the range.

When you have made your entry, leave a comment here and a link on your blog (if you don't have a blog you can e-mail a picture of your entry to me and I will add it for you). A winner will be chosen at 8pm BST on May 14th.

I can't take a picture of the prize candy yet (because some of it is still in transit) but it will include ............
A set of Poppy, Paddy and Pipkin ToPPPers of your choice
Some pretty ribbon and buttons
1 pack of luscious fibres
1 pack of metallic adhesive crochet strips
2 packs of card blanks (8 x silver, 8 x gold)
1 small bag of teeny gems

To give you some ideas, here are some cards that I have made using the colour theme.

If lots of people join in with this I will try to make it a regular event. I can't wait to see what you come up with ....... Happy Crafting

Sorry I've been AWOL for a couple of days!

2009-05-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

I've been busy trying to complete the crochet shawls that I need to make for the medieval costumes and that means that apparently I'm not supposed to be sitting on Blogger - PAH!

Well, I'm bored of the crochet hook now so I've made a couple more cards. This one
was made for this week's Creative Inspirations and Colour Create challenges where the themes were blue and green and blue, red and green.

This next card is for this week's Papertake Weekly Challenge which is to make a card featuring animals. My little girl is OBSESSED with BeeMovie at the moment (I think I can recite the script now!) so the bee card is a big hit with her :o)

Finally here is my entry for this week's Just Magnolia challenge which is to use stitching in your card ...... I used hand drawn faux stitching all around the card, on the jean's pocket and for the sentiment which reads "Happy Birthday To You" and I used brads to connect the pocket and the tags to the card to tie in with the brads and eyelets challenge over on The Secret Crafter
- the top of the pocket is actually open so the tags can spin round and slot into the pocket.

I hope that you like what I have been up to, I'd love to hear from you with any comments.

Hands up all those PROMARKER addicts

2009-05-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

Me Me Me Meeeee!

Well there's a new challenge blog just for us promarker fans PROMARKER CHALLENGE and to celebrate the new blog there is the chance to win some of the pens which you will need to complete the challenges over the coming weeks.

Since I seem to be using promarkers on ALMOST EVERY card I make at the moment I'm definitely joining in.

More amazing candy from blog world

2009-05-08T01:43:00.000-07:00

Ok we all like freebies, and we all like birthdays and we all like amazing blogs ...... with me so far?

Pop over to corrosivecreationsbyjanet.blogspot.com to see Janet's fantastic blog and be in with a chance of winning this

a bunch of candy that is growing all the time!

Good luck xxxx (but please remember, I saw it first ;o)!)

A little flurry of cards from today

2009-05-07T10:55:00.000-07:00

I've been a busy crafting bunny today but it's not all card making, I've been working on hubby's costume for the medieval celebrations as well.

However, I HAVE made a few cards to share with you ........

This is a DoCrafts Forever Friends stamped image, coloured with promarkers and layered up with a bloom dots embossed panel highlighted with sepia ink and Anita's ribbons.

I got this butterfly image in a parcel of goodies from a fellow crafter and I've layered up pastel green promarker to shade it. Again I've used the bloom dots embossing folder this time embellished with iridescent brads and acrylic stones.

Over on DoCrafts scrapbooking forum, Gina is organising us into producing Christmas projects once a fortnight to ease the crafting pressure when it gets to the festive season. I plaited some lilac, purple and white strips of card to embellish the stamped and matted image. I decided that less is more on this card and left it with lots of white space which makes it clean and simple.

I love this "Nay" stamp from Rubber Romance, it's such a lovely sized image that it needs very little doing to it, all I did was triple mat the stamped and coloured image in co-ordinating cardstock.

Finally there is my entry for this week's Whiff of Joy Challenge using Katharina's sketch. I love Whiff of Joy images and I can't wait to get my hands on some more. Having looked at my photo, I have realised that you can't see the word "Just" on the photo .... it is on the darker panel above the other part of the sentiment.

Thanks for looking

Blog Candy Chances again

2009-05-06T07:32:00.001-07:00

Kate has a lovely selection of candy on her blog and all you have to do is tell her what your favourite TV show is. After much deliberation between The Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps I decided that Jim's Beer Belly is second best to Gaz's six pack lmao!

Also, my namesake Caz has some gorgeous candy to celebrate her birthday and the AMAZING blog hit count of 200000 hits - and the exciting thing is that the more people visit her and join in, the bigger the candy gets, how cool is that?

Cuttlebug Challenge #30

2009-05-06T03:02:00.000-07:00

I found this challenge via Allison's blog - the challenge is to make something for a wedding or anniversary using your Cuttlebug.

I thought you might like to see my very simple (but I think quite elegant) card made using two different embossing folders and embellished with a luxurious ribbon. I think it could be used for any occasion but I made it with a ruby wedding anniversary in mind. (Hence the colour of the ribbon)

Well I am totally exhausted today .......

2009-05-06T02:23:00.000-07:00

I was quite happily watching TV last night while hubby was working in his shed, oops I mean summer house, oops I mean office when the next thing I know I had a stiff neck, was freezing cold, the TV programmes had finished and the clock said 1.45am!!! What happened to those two hours? Sooooo unlike me to fall asleep in front of the telly (yeah right!)

Anyway, to get over today's lethargy I have been ...... CRAFTING! I thought I'd join in with this week's Sketch Saturday sketch and also use texture as requested by this week's challenge on A Spoon Full Of Sugar Challenge - I used an adorable Sugar Nellie stamp from Funky Kits, my paisley embossing folder for my Cuttlebug, some lacy ribbon I had laying around and an iridescent brad for good measure!

I made these two very simple new baby cards yesterday using my promarkers and a Forever Friends stamp from DoCrafts.

More blog candy offerings from my travels

2009-05-05T10:16:00.001-07:00

Lisa has some really sweet candy available on her blog - why not pop over and have a look, it's such a fun and blingy blog you're sure to love it.

And hands up who loves the Gorjuss Girls? I know I'm quite taken with them although the nasty bank manager won't let me have any at the moment so I'm hoping to be lucky on Fiona's Blog where she is offering one lucky blogger a set of these lovely stamps as candy.

Also, running til tonight is Tracy's birthday blog candy over on her blog - as a ribbon lover I was droooooooooling over the pic of the candy that she has up for grabs.

It must be birthday season as Marcea is also celebrating with some really lovely and decidedly PINK candy. I just love this whole blogging community and the generosity that goes with it.

Paddy be Nimble Paddy be Quick

2009-05-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

Paddy jumps over the candlestick ........

This is one of my new additions to my stamp range, the fun and funky Jester Paddy - I coloured him in shades of green because every time my hubby sees a jesters costume he starts singing Marillion's Emerald Lies
"I am the harlequin, with diamonded costume dripping shades of green"

More luscious BLOG***CAN*DY

2009-05-04T02:33:00.000-07:00

How would you like to win this little lot? Just pop over to Cinders McPhee's blog to be in with a chance.

Two More E-mailed Entries .......

2009-05-03T13:42:00.001-07:00

Thank you to Kate

and Carla

for taking the time to join in with my pink, blue and cream challenge and e-mail me with their entries. Good luck ladies!

Just Magnolia Challenge Card

2009-05-03T13:06:00.001-07:00

There is a Sketch Challenge on Just Magnolia this week with the chance of winning another crafty prize.

I worked the sketch using my current favourite colour combo of pink, blue and cream and turned it into a card for an expectant mum. I know lots of people expecting babies at the moment so I'm sure it will find a good home later in the year.

Of course it would also qualify for my own blog challenge but I guess I'm not allowed to enter that one ;o)

NEWPOPPYANDPADDYDESIGNS

2009-05-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

I've just had a play with some of my new Poppy and Paddy stamps - Sir Paddy, Princess Poppy, Jester Paddy and Footballer Paddy are all new, fun and (imho) cute additions to my collection.

Sir Paddy, Jester Paddy and Princess Poppy have all been designed with Camelford's medieval celebrations in mind (see their website for more details of events) - I'm going to have a stall selling my cards and decorated candles and other craft items at some of the events so I thought having some themed cards would be a good idea and I thought they were adorable enough to add to my stamp range at Foxcraft Cards

I have coloured all of the images with my promarkers - I hope that you can see that I am gaining confidence with my shading as I practice more and more.

I chose the colours for my Sir Paddy card to fit the brief on Colour Create Challenge where the theme is the luscious combo of red, chocolate and cream and the additional element for this week is RIBBON! MMMMmmmmmmm!

Beautiful Blog Candy Alert

2009-05-03T06:13:00.000-07:00

Lisa is offering some lovely candy on her blog at the moment to celebrate her 2000th hit amongst other things. Pop over and have a look at her really adorable cards.

Also, Steph has put together a HUGE candy bundle to celebrate her huge hit milestone! But please DON'T go over to peek at that one coz I WANNA WIN IT!!!!!! Oh, well, if you must go and look ........ good luck

Two e-mailed entries for my blog challenge

2009-05-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

I thought you might like to be able to see any entries I've had e-mailed to me for my blog challenge so here goes .......

The first is from Andrea

The second is from Chrissy

Thank you for joining in ladies, you both get an extra entry into the draw at the end of the challenge since you've both used Poppy and Paddy images. Good Luck!

Papertake Weekly and DoCrafts Tilda Challenge

2009-05-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

I was in the middle of colouring some Tilda's to match some freebie papers that I found in a pile of magazines which I was planning to use for this week's Papertake Weekly Challenge when I realised that they also matched the brief for this week's Tilda challenge on the Cardmaking forum of DoCrafts.

The brief was : lilac and lime, 3 buttons, bling and a sentiment

I hope you like what I've done :o)

Another trio of cards today - TOMORROW is the big day!

2009-04-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

I had a few hours to myself this morning so I made some more cards ....... just for a change lol! No reason in particular, just to add to the basket that I have available in the staff room at school but it's nice to just have a chill out colouring in session. I think my favourite colouring was the Magnolia Edwin but my favourite card of the three is the wizard on where I used some of my Cuttlebug embossing folders to add details to the design.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for details of my cunning plan!

Some more Foxcraft Designs

2009-04-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

I've made two cards today, one for the same little boy who was getting the basketball card

This uses one of my Paddy characters ..... he's not available YET but he will be available soon so if you want to pre-order him please let me know. This is Footballer Paddy and for this card he's dressed up for a Liverpool fan. I followed this week's sketch over on Creative Inspirations using the brightest coloured cardstock I could lay my hands to!

My second card of the day was ordered at nursery at lunch time so I'm quite pleased that I managed to get it done today at all!

The star of this card is Baby Pipkin who is available from me at Foxcraft Cards and I've embellished it with a bit of paper weaving and some iridescent brads. I know I'm biased but I think Pipkin is SUCH a little cutie, I could use this stamp day in day out and not get tired of colouring it in. Hope you like it and thanks for looking.

A Splash of Colour

2009-04-29T02:06:00.000-07:00

Personally I associate the colours Orange, Green and Brown with autumn so it was quite odd making a card using this colour combination for this week's challenge on Colour Create Challenges - made doubly difficult by adding the "card for a man" element ...... why are men soooooo difficult to craft for?

Anyway, I decided to go for lots of straight lines, no flounces or flourishes (well apart from my hand drawn ones just visible on the brown cardstock - which was initially cream til I started with my promarkers!) and none of my usual embellishments to make it a more masculine design. I coloured the image using my new found confidence with blending promarker colours and I have to admit I'm pretty pleased with the way it has turned out .....

Happy Birthday Nan!

2009-04-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

My Nan is 21 again today so I'm sending her virtual birthday hugs and cakes across the internet. Unfortunately she was taken into hospital last week and is still there now but hopefully she will like the cards and school photo of the kids that I sent her once she gets home (shouldn't be toooo much longer, they're apparently just waiting on social services now as she needs some help at home as she continues to recover....)

I made her card earlier in the month at craft club in Egloskerry (thanks for the invite Peter, I'll be back!)

I used paper that came free with a magazine, a couple of Magnolia Tilda images, some robo-cutting and some cuttlebug embossing. I hope she likes it.

P.S. Get Well Soon Nan!

Another sneaky peek - T-3 days

2009-04-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

Are you tempted yet?

Smiley Riley should hopefully be jumping through hoops

2009-04-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

I had to collect a laptop for hubby this morning for a job on his side of the business and while I was there I was asked if I could make a birthday card for a basketball mad little boy who will be 4 on Friday. I decided to have a play with my robo to make the card look like a basketball, what do you think?

I delivered it within 3 hours of being asked for it and Riley's mum, Liz, was really pleased with it. Now I just need to come up with another idea for his card from us ...... hmmmmmmmmmmm!

What do you think of my facelift?

2009-04-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

You don't need to be particularly sharp eyed to notice that I've given my blog a bit of a paintjob! The design is courtesy of the lovely designers over on The Cutest Blog On The Block

I'm much happier with the slightly more crafty, scrapaholic type style than the blocky design I had before so I hope that you like it too.

Now I'm off for a glass or two of vino plonko since the kids are in bed, tea is in the oven and I'm in the mood for chillin'

A little bit of a tease .........

2009-04-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

I have a little something up my sleeve for the end of the week which hopefully you will all like.

But at the moment it's a secret and I'm keeping my lips buttoned about it. The only problem with that is ................ I'm TERRIBLE at keeping secrets *BLUSH*

Soooooooo ....... here's a little sneak peek to hopefully tempt you to come back on FRIDAY to see the whole picture so to speak ;o)

This card is child's play .......

2009-04-27T06:04:00.000-07:00

The theme for this week's challenge on Pollycraft Challenge Blog is "A Card for a Child" which is fortunate coz I'd forgotten I needed to make a birthday card for my son's schoolfriend, Holly.

I used the Winter Elves "Joyous" acrylic stamp, some die cut shapes and some papers that came free with a magazine. I handcut the front panel of the card into a "H" shape to personalise it for her as I think that things like that are important when you're seven :o)

Winning this candy would really put a smirk on your face :o)

2009-04-27T01:23:00.000-07:00

Caroline has put together a lovely bundle of pink candy over on her blog - to be in with a chance of winning why not pay her a visit and follw her instructions.

I never used to be a "pink" girl, usually I went for purples and blues but recently I've noticed a lot more pink creeping in. Seriously I don't think I owned more than 2 pink items of clothing before I had my little princess, and now she's pink mad and I think it's rubbed off!

Think it's about time I paid attention

2009-04-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to receive Letraset Promarkers for both Christmas and Birthday so I now have about 40 different shades to play with. I've seem hundreds of cards coloured with these and the Copic markers and love the shading effects that people get with them. I'd managed to get some of the shading sorted by layering up the same colour like I did with this card earlier this month

However, so far I'd not been happy with my blending of colours etc. I went blog hopping in the hope of snaffling some tips and found a great copics tutorial here ...... great apart from the fact that I've got Promarkers not Copics!!!! More blog hopping resulted in me finding a really useful tutorial for Promarker users here

Anyway, as a result of finding the tutorials and having a little play around last night and today I have now made a couple of cards using the blending techniques ....

I'd love to hear what you think of my latest efforts.

Lazy hazy days ....... I wish!

2009-04-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

Actually, I have to admit to being lazy today, letting hubby get up with the kids and staying in bed til 9.30 this morning was absolutely lovely! It's quite a rarity for me to wake up of my own accord rather than because of an alarm clock or because I'm being bounced on by one of the three fox cubs. I seem to recall I woke up in the middle of a very strange dream about going to a fancy dress lunch with some people I went to school with at Mr Tumble's house :oS I think the least said about that the better!

Once I got up I was feeling virtuous after making a big lamb stew for dinner so I sat down and did some crafting. There's an "Anything goes" challenge this week over on Penny Black Saturday Challenge so I made this card using one of their cute hedgehogs lazing in the sun.

The image is coloured with promarkers, layered on Core'dinations coloured card and embellished with Basic Grey buttons.

Candy to satisfy even the sweetest tooth!

2009-04-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

Over on her Passion for Crafts blog Debbie is offering some truly amazing blog candy to celebrate her blogoversary! Of course, you COULD ignore this post to give me a better chance of winning it but I'd recommend that you hop over there and join in the fun before 30th April. Good luck

That's torn it .........

2009-04-25T10:35:00.001-07:00

The current challenge on Cute Card Thursday is to make a card using tearing, sanding, distressing or sewing. I decided to use some Magnolia stamped images, coloured with promarkers and layered on torn paper and mulberry paper. I went back to my pastel colours comfort zone but I think cute cards work really well in soft colours.

Allow me to introduce ..........

2009-04-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

SANTA PADDY

Yeah alright, I KNOW it's only just been Easter ...... but I never seem to catch up at Christmas time so the occasional card here or there has got to be a step in the right direction especially since I'm hoping to MAKE a lot of Christmas gifts this year as well.

I followed this week's challenge sketch from Cupcake Craft Challenges for the design of the card.

If anyone else would like to see Santa Paddy on their Christmas Cards this year he is available as an acrylic stamp or as a pre-stamped image ready for colouring direct from me at Foxcraft Cards

My mojo is back with a vengeance!!!!!

2009-04-24T11:18:00.001-07:00

ANOTHER two challenge cards have been completed today and I'm working on a third! Are you impressed? I am! (modesty personified me y'see!)

Boo Hooo I didn't win the first challenge on Just Magnolia but that doesn't mean I'm giving up so here is my entry for their next challenge which simply asked for a card in Pink and Green colours. I was tempted to go for my usual pastel palette but as you can see I decided to be brave and make a "slap you round the face" combo of lime green and magenta instead.

As well as the Just Magnolia challenge I've also had a go at the Stamp Something challenge which is based on the theme of Flowers or Showers. I used the Lily and Milo "Rainy Days" image coloured with promarkers and added some Papermania paper which reminded me of raindrops on windows. I embellished the top of the card with some iridescent adhesive gems to give the effect of drops of water.

I'm so glad I've found these challenges, even if I don't win anything I am getting loads of inspiration to make cards for my stall at the school fete in the summer.

Trying to add ZING and BLING!

2009-04-24T03:21:00.000-07:00

I've sort of got stuck in a rut of only using muted colours in my cards -- I think I'm a bit scared of the really bright stuff so I'm trying to coax myself out of it gently!

I went BRIGHT for the birthday card I made for my friend Anjie's birthday last week and gave Poppy a magenta and cyan makeover with my promarkers. I also dusted down my Craftrobo and used that for cutting the lettering. I know Anjie likes all things bright so I hope she liked my departure from the norm!

As another step in my brights aversion therapy I added some zingy lime green to my entry for this week's SketchSaturday Challenge It's a Lily and Milo image with Dovecraft and Papermania papers, some Cuttlebug embossed "Happy Birthday" bits and it's also got a bit of B*L*I*N*G in the form of some iridescent adhesive jewels from Papermania.

Truly Scrumptious and Creative Inspiration Challenges

2009-04-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

One of my friends has just told me that her daughter has been rushed in to hospital to have her appendix out so I took the chance of making a get well soon card for her following the sketch challenge over on Truly Scrumptious I decided to use ribbon for two of the panels and have used my Poorly Poppy image which is available from me at Foxcraft Cards

Here is my entry for the Creative Inspirations recipe challenge. I used four fabric flowers, three pieces of Papermania paper, two buttons for the centres of two of the flowers and the Schoolgirl Poppy stamped image again available from me atFoxcraft Cards

Thanks for popping by, I hope you like what I've done so far this week, I feel like my mojo is on its way back!

In the words of the Pink Ladies ........ "THINK PINK!"

2009-04-23T02:28:00.000-07:00

I had such fun yesterday with the challenge cards that I went to sleep thinking about what I could make as the next one! Now THAT'S when you know you're addicted to card-making!

I woke up this morning to a gorgeous sunny day and kids NOT fighting which is enough to put me in a happy mood YAY! And I had a flash of inspiration .... to combine the current sketch challenge from The Penny Black Saturday Challenge with the pink, black and white (and polka dots) colour combination challenge from Colour Create!

The resulting card came together quite quickly in the end using my trusty pro-markers (what on earth did I use before the stash fairy delivered them?), some Papermania pink papers that have been in my stash since the year dot and some black cardstock ...... oh and a couple of self adhesive gems for a bit of B*L*I*N*G!

Now ........ I wonder what I can find to challenge me today ...... hubby says the laundry but where's the fun in that!!!!

Another Challenge Card - 1 card 2 challenges

2009-04-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

I've had so much fun today following challenge instructions so I decided to have yet another go with this card

This is for the weekly challenge on Pollycraft Challenge Blog where the challenge was to use a Pollycraft product to make a card with an ORANGE theme. I hope that there's enough orange on mine to count, I used one of the stamps I got for my birthday for the main image, coloured with promarkers and highlighted with Doodlebug jewels.

Hopefully it also counts for the Papertake Weekly Challenge as I followed their sketch albeit turned on its head!

Another blog challenge card - this time Stampavie

2009-04-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hey hey I'm on a roll ....... I found another challenge over on Stampavie so I decided to join in using the lovely "Hand in Hand" image from Rachelle Anne Miller.

The cardstock is Core'dinations, the patterned strip is from Dovecraft's Amethyst collection and the brad and fabric flowers came from my big box of mixed up stash! I coloured the image using promarkers in shades of pink, brown and green.

Let's try again shall we ..... I'm a naughty blogger

2009-04-22T01:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't been on here for soooooooooooooooooooooooo long and I'm hoping to get back on track so if you see me loitering please slap my legs and tell me to get on with it!

Poppy, Paddy and Pipkin are now on general release both as acrylic stamps and as pre-stamped images ready to colour from Foxcraft Cards We've been lucky enough to have features in a number of crafting magazines but word of mouth is equally important so if you have a look and like what you see then please let other people know about them too :o)

Here is a sample of a card that I made using the Schoolboy Paddy and Schoolgirl Poppy stamps.

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I have been inspired by the sketch challenge at Just Magnolia and decided to join in the challenge for the chance to win some GORGEOUS candy!

Here is my entry

Good news aboput Paddy and Poppy!!!!

2008-11-28T01:28:00.000-08:00

Good morning all, just a quick update ......... I got the orders I needed to go ahead and order the stamps :-D

I e-mailed the company yesterday and am just waiting for them to come back to me now so hopefully Paddy and Poppy will be winging their way to happy crafters VERY soon.

Paddy and Poppy Progress Post!

2008-11-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my attempts to get Paddy and Poppy out into the big wide world. So far I have had 25 stamps pre-ordered so I only need another 5 to be ordered before I take the plunge! If anyone out there would like to order any of the images please let me know.

We now have 8 designs in the first collection:
Santa Paddy
Angel Poppy
Baby on tummy
Schoolboy Paddy
Schoolgirl Poppy
Graduate Poppy
New Mum Poppy with Baby
Get Well Soon

Paddy and Poppy - my new project and BLOG CANDY

2008-11-24T03:43:00.000-08:00

I am lucky enough to have a rather artistic dad who had created some little cute characters with me in mind! I am thinking of having them turned into rubber stamps which would be available for sale initially through my website at www.foxcraftcards.co.uk But I need to see if people would be interested in buying enough of them to make it viable before I go ahead! Following my dad's lead I have 8 different designs lined up ready to go.

If you would be interested in buying any of the designs, please leave a message on this post so I can judge the amount of interest that is out there.

To celebrate the launch of the designs, I am offering some blog candy! I have some 12x12 sheets of Papermania Decorated Acetate and 12x12 coredinations cardstock so it's suitable for cardmakers or scrapbookers alike! Simply mention my new characters and my giveaway on your blog and then leave a message on here and a link to your blog so I can go and have a nosey! I will do a draw for the winner on 1st December :)

Ever wish you hadn't started something?

2008-11-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

I finally had to admit that my crafting stash was taking up FAR too much room in the dining room and sort it all out! Hubby wants it all well hidden in time for the Christmas decorations to go up and as I usually put the tree up on December 1st I thought I'd better make it sooner rather than later.

Well after over 24 hours I can actually see the back of the dining table at last! For the past goodness knows how long it has been covered in boxes and piles full of crafting stuff and it's amazing what was in there that I had forgotten about!!!!!!!!

In the midst of the chaos I have found 2 corner rounder punches, 4 embossing tools, 2 unopened packs of the same style of ribbon, 8 robo cut Christmas cards that I had forgotten about and 5 pairs of scissors amongst other things!!!

The REALLY bad bit is that I STILL haven't finished :S However the dining room does look a lot bigger than it did and Hubby is a lot happier than he was!

One of my DoCrafts friends Ann has started her scrapping December project from Shimelle Laine's class and it looks like it will be a great journey. Unfortunately I can't spare the $30 price tag for the class at the moment so I will have to give it a miss but I have decided to try to scrap some of the most important bits of the build up to Christmas as well as the big day itself. It's always busy with the kids and with Litte Miss's birthday being right in the middle of it but the thought of recording bits like the decorating the tree, wrapping the presents, school concerts and parties and the like has got me feeling all festive. Jingle all the way!

I got a visit from the stash fairy

2008-11-14T11:15:00.001-08:00

One of my LOVELY crafting friends who will remain nameless sent me a parcel of crafting goodies today and it made my day! Especially since one of the items was a luscious, flower shaped Cosmo Cricket tag book that I can't wait to play with!

I delivered my order to the school today - 30 cards, all with a watercoloured stamped image on the front took a little longer than I anticipated but at least they are done and the head was pleased with them.

I've also arranged to make a large advent calendar for my eldest son's classroom - the teacher is getting each child to make a picture to go in one of the windows so I just have to do something for the front.

I've been busy but I'm back again

2008-11-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

I've been making the 30 Christmas cards that were ordered by the headmistress for her to send to the governors etc. I've also been making sample candles for mum and dad to show off at their fundraising event in Camelford on Saturday - they turned into a bit of a pain coz the printer kept smudging all the text. I finally got it sorted in time for Dad to collect them yesterday.

I was on such a high last week after seeing my cards on the telly! Hayley had 8 of the 10 cards I sent her on display for the whole show AND she copied one of my designs as an in-show sample make!!!!! I literally bounced around the living room and was talking so quickly it was like some sort of high! I can't wait to try some more products once they are ready for me to try another CD. I'll keep you posted......

My doodled designs are coming along and should soon be able to go onto the website. I hope that people will think that they are worth buying! I like the line drawing effect so I hope other people do as well.

Some REALLY exciting news

2008-11-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I think it's exciting anyway Little Lou's Craft Supplies is having a premier show on Create and Craft and Ideal World shopping channels on Saturday night at 5pm.

"What's so exciting about that?" I hear you ask .............. well, they are premiering a new CD of Toffee Bear designs and should have some fab samples on show on the telly for everyone to see!

Hmmmmm, maybe I should mention that the reason I am so keen to see the show is because 10 of the samples for it have been made by ME

I can now officially say that I am a member of Little Lou's Card Design Team and that has made me feel like a kid at Christmas! It might not seem like much to some of you who are more experienced Design Team members but it's a progression I've wanted to make for a while and to know that Hayley and the team at Little Lou's have faith in my designs gave me a real buzz.

I'm back again

2008-11-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

I've missed a few days because we've had a busy time of it. My nan has been down visiting from Liverpool so we've been trying to get as many visits in as possible, along with numerous kids parties and a hubby with a stinking cold (I would say ManFlu but I'd get told off!)

Nan asked me to make some Christmas cards for her while she was down so she got a selection of 12 cards from the website designs plus four personalised designs for the great grandkids.

How would you like to win some SERIOUS candy?

2008-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

On Elaine's blog there is the chance to win not just one Promarker but a whole load of them! All you need to do is leave her a comment and link it to your blog and you're in with a chance.

Would you want a trick from this little lot!?!

2008-11-01T04:09:00.000-07:00

Portly Pumpkin, Pinky the Witch and Pop-out-Eye the Pirate

This is the first year that my kids have really got into the whole halloween thing so we went to a party at their friends house, went trick or treating around the local houses and played daft party games. Even the adults got dressed up ----- I was a witch with a green face and a black wart and a hat that didn't fit (hats NEVER fit me, my head's always too big for them!)but I didn't want to risk breaking the camera taking my photo!

Wow another award!

2008-11-01T03:15:00.000-07:00

It's called The Wylde Women Award and it's purpose is to send love to and acknowledge women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

The rules of the award are:

1. You can give to one or one hundred or any number in between.

2. Make sure you link to their site.

3. Link back to Tammy hereso that she can visit all these great women.

4. Remember the purpose of the award.

I would like to pass the award on to Sue bubbles, Em and Alex

Challenge cards ........

2008-10-27T01:51:00.001-07:00

One of the lovely ladies over on DoCrafts has introduced me to the lovely Whiff of Joy stamps from www.whiffofjoy.com. Here is my entry to this week's Whiff of Joy challenge fromt there challenge blog.

This is my card for the Tilda Challenge that is being run every week over on the DoCrafts website. It was a 321 challenge - 3 colours (I chose red, green and copper), 2 brads, eyelets or buttons (I used Papermania gem brads) and 1 ribbon.

Ups and downs of a suburban crafting mum

2008-10-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

I am really annoyed with the postal service now ...... I sent the pink card I made for the blog challenge to my friend Sue (Sue Bubbles) and it has gone AWOL! As if that's not annoying enough, the card that I made for Sue before she went to hospital also went missing between the postbox and Sue's letterbox! Surely we have to pay enough for postage it shouldn't be so hit and miss?

On the other hand, I have been lucky enough to receive four lovely cards full of stamped images from ladies from the DoCrafts forum. I am very very grateful to them for their generosity but it probably means I will end up spending a fortune on new stamps now as they have whetted my appetite! I am especially taken by the Tilda's from Magnolia and the Willow's from Whiff of Joy!

Earlier this week I had a meeting at the nursery at school confirming that Little Miss will be starting nursery in January 2009! She's been given the morning sessions that we wanted and although she has a few short sessions with me in tow she starts PROPERLY on January 26th!!!! Where have my babies gone?

I've spent most of the week butting heads with the kids it seems - they are all so confident and wilful it can become a real tug of war at times! However at different points this week they have ALL made my heart swell. Our eldest was awarded a "Child of Note" award for his hard work at his class's French Study day ..... apparently he has an excellent accent and attitude! Then middle tiddler came home with his first House Points Certificate for collecting 25 house points, plus a challenge award for super story writing and he has also been put up a level on his reading scheme so I am as proud as punch of that. Finally, Little Miss has developed a real taste for all things crafty (wonder where she got that from!?!) and has been creating some lovely paintings, glitterings and colourings with very little mummy-intervention .... not bad since she's not even 3 yet.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Pink Card

2008-10-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

Over on her blog, http://slumbercards.blogspot.com, Suzanne is offering blog candy - to be in with a chance of this lovely pink selection you need to make a pink card, preferably to be sent to someone who needs a bit of cheering up or some TLC or who has been affected by Breast Cancer in some way.

I have made my card, here it is

I will be sending it to an inspirational friend of mine who has had to face Breast Cancer and still managed to come out bubbly and sparkly.

Oh my, I've been TAGGED! plus Challenge Caz Candy

2008-10-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

Canny Crafter (another Caroline geez we're good lol!) has tagged me so now I have to say a HUGE thank you and pass the tag on to 6 other bloggers. This is the difficult bit, I love blog hopping and get so much inspiration from them that I'm not sure who to name! SO I'm taking a leaf out of some other bloggers books and saying that you ALL deserve it - please feel free to add it to your blog and pass it on!
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Over on the DoCrafts Scrapbooking forum, some of the ladies have been setting each other crafting challenges and I was feeling left out so I asked for a challenge (That's right, I ASKED for it!) and Sall came up with the first challenge which was: Book shape, ribbon, stamped image, handmade embellishment, 2 photos or decoupage, brads or eyelets, glitter and a Christmas theme. Here's what I came up with:

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The next Challenge Caz Challenge has been a group effort and the criteria are:
Glitter, a candy cane, 2 christmas puddings, Christmas ribbon, 5 Christmas coloured buttons, 2 stamped images, 4 types of christmas paper and a robin.

I haven't done it yet but if you fancy a laugh why don't you join in. If anyone is up for it, post a picture on your blog and leave a comment here linking it to your challenge card. If anyone is brave enough to join in there might just be a little prize in it for the winner.

See me ..... I'm Mrs Goodwife I am!

2008-10-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

After my cake baking earlier in the week I've had another cookery day today.

I made my first ever batch of chutney - a pear and apple chutney based on a recipe from Valentine Warner's WHAT TO EAT NOW series. It took a while and started off smelling rather vile but ended up smelly REALLY scrummy. The only problem is that now I have to leave it to mature for 6-8 weeks and I am such an impatient so and so! Anyway, by Christmas we should be enjoying lovely spicy chutney with everything since I made enough for three big jars!

I also boiled a bacon shank to do a good old fashioned Northern Lass dish of bacon, cabbage, butterbeans and boiled potatoes and made a great big pan of soup with the stock from boiling the bacon. I cannot lie - these recipes do mean that you have to sleep with the windows open lol but they are lovely and comforting on such a cold night.

Finally, I am also pickling some onions to go in the cupboard ready for Christmas and New Year. Since my Little Miss has apparently followed in her late grandmothers footsteps and got a taste for pickles I think I might have to make more than just one big jar!

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Oh and I successfully managed to get the complete text of the Camelford Town Charter in both English and Latin onto one of the large candles I got from Asda so I'm hoping that mum and dad will like them for their medieval do. Once they've been approved I'll post pics.

Another candy competition

2008-10-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

http://slumbercards.blogspot.com/

Sue is doing her bit for the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign and is offering some lovely pink candy into the bargain. I'll be making a couple of pink cards this weekend I think.

A nice end to the week

2008-10-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday when the boys came home from school we spent some time baking yummity scrummity chocolate cupcakes. I love baking with the kids, I remember baking with my mum when I was little (and the kids still love baking when they go to Nanny's now) and I guess things like that are the magical memories of childhood that don't cost a fortune!

Recipe (makes 24)

8oz self raising flour, sifted
8oz granulated sugar
8oz softened butter
4 large eggs
1tsp vanilla essence
3tbsp cocoa
2tsp baking powder

Shove all the ingredients in a big bowl, whisk with an electric whisk until combined, spoon into a bun tray lined with individual cake cases. Cook at 170 degrees until risen and springy (approx 15-20 mins)

Easy as .......... CAKE

Today while the boys were at school, me and the little miss went for a stroll to town to my favourite local butchers for our weekly carnivorous fix! £17 lighter but satisified knowing we were going to enjoy making homemade soups, stews, roasts and other scrummy stuff we came home happy. (Little miss was most impressed as I bought her a painting set from the craft shop - I was quite impressed by small reels of ribbon for just 49p per metre!)

I've also been busy making cards for entry into a big competition but I'm keeping them under my hat for a little while longer!

Natalie's Blog Candy

2008-10-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

To celebrate her 1000 hits milestone, Natalie over at www.ngcards.blogspot.com is offering one lucky blogger some delish blog candy including a VERY cute Sugar Nellie stamp (really must get myself some of these!)

If you want to be in with a chance of it all becoming yours, just pop over and leave a comment on Natalie's blog. She's a very talented crafter so even if you don't win, you can't really lose because you're bound to be inspired!

Another first for me

2008-10-15T13:47:00.001-07:00

I have joined in with my first ever image swap on the DoCrafts forum and as part of that I had to make a wallet card to protect the images when I post them to my swap partner. I have to say I was a little daunted but thanks to the beautiful JulieI over on DC I managed to spend the afternoon making and decorating this card. The papers I used all came from Readicut, the ribbon is from Papermania and the image is a watercolour pencil shaded image of Autumn Milly from Spiral Whisper by the very clever Janet (CraftyCairn).

I have made some progress on the 750th Celebrations project as well - my mum and dad have approved the ideas I have had and are passing them on to the committee for consideration. However, it looks like they will probably want at least 100 to sell(eek!), a dozen larger candles for their medieval banquet fundraiser and one of the committee wants me to have a stall at their summer fayre. I know I have til June to prepare but OMG I'm suddenly nervous!

Had my thinking cap on lately

2008-10-15T02:16:00.000-07:00

At the end of the summer term I offered to make cards for each of the kids who was going up to secondary school and each kid who was going from nursery to big school. I did these for free as a way of getting the website name more well known (www.foxcraftcards.co.uk) but when I approached the head to offer some Christmas cards to send to the governors she insisted that they would pay me for this lot. Her brief simply said "the real meaning of christmas" so this is what I designed.....

I've also been scratching my head (no it's not nits like one of my friends said!) about a design for the candles for my mum and dad's town celebrations for the 750th anniversary of them getting the royal charter. This isn't needed until 2009 but I need to work out some samples for them to get approval. All this brain work makes me want CHOCOLATE lol!

Sorry I've been away for so long but I AM BACK!

2008-10-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

I had a bit of a squiffy summer, not quite sure if I was coming or going for a while but I'm back on track now thanks to some very supportive friends.

I've recently discovered a couple of new pass times - decorated candles (thanks to inspiration from DoCrafts) and Dotee dolls (thanks to inspiration from Sue Bubbles!)

I will add pictures of the new "obsessions" as soon as I'm back in the driving seat of my blog.

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Wedding cake papercrafting - another first for me

2008-05-21T03:48:00.001-07:00

I have made this to go with the scrapbook for my friends sister's wedding. She is having blue bridesmaid dresses so hopefully it will tie in quite well. I used a robo template from UKScrappers for the project.

Measurements for my 12x12 exploding boxes

2008-05-21T03:34:00.000-07:00

QVC http://www.qvcuk.com have a craft TSV today and lots of craft shows throughout the day - one of the items included die cut exploding box templates and that made me realise that I hadn't put the dimensions of my exploding box up on here yet.

Anyway - here they are:

I marked in 10cm from the edges for the outer layer using the full sheet of card (31cm full width)

For the middle layer I cut the card down to 29cm square and marked in 9 1/2 cm from each side

For the inner layer I cut the card to 27cm square and I marked in 9cm from each side.

The top was made from a square 15 1/2cm with lines scored 2cm from each edge.

About time I added more crafting pics I think!

2008-05-20T01:26:00.001-07:00

I have been experimenting with some new styles of projects this week and I'm really pleased with how they turned out so I thought I'd share them with you.

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This was a challenge, I was asked to make a card for someone who calls her hubby monkey and he calls her piglet. They are a very "rural" couple, she rides horses, he shoots etc so I went for the farm type images. The lady was really pleased with the bookatrix style card.

Next, a bootee cut from the Cuddly Buddly cuttable collection by Rupert the Robo! I chose not to use the print and cut version but cut it from textured cream cardstock instead. This was for Clare's weekly challenge on the DoCrafts Creativity forum where we had to create a card in an unusual shape.

Also, a card for my friends' little girl who loves the Yellow Power Ranger. I had some Power Rangers wrapping paper so I took a scrap that was left over and cut out the character images and the title block. I also hand cut the Lightening Flash and the number 6 which I attached with 3D foam
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Finally, I have also made my first ever exploding box - my friend ordered one for her mum's birthday. I used photos on the first and third levels and then a verse on the middle layer which read:
"You're our wacky mum and grandma, we're your daughter and grandson, we have a tie between us, that can never be undone. We drive each other crazy, but we love each other too, and so now on your birthday, we're sending our love to you"

There is yet more Birthday Blog Candy up for grabs

2008-05-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Go and have a peek at http://ellieskeeperscreations.blogspot.com/ - some more lovely candy being offered for a milestone birthday! Don't you just love all these generous crafters? I know I do!

And the winner of my PIF candy is ............

2008-05-19T06:03:00.000-07:00

DRUMROLL PLEASE

Joanne at http://takelifebythehand.blogspot.com/

Just need you to contact me hun so I can get it all in the post to you.

Sorry I've not been around for a week - More BLOG CANDY

2008-05-19T03:27:00.000-07:00

Debs over at http://meandlilg.blogspot.com/ is about to celebrate a rather special birthday so to mark life beginning she's offering some yummity scrummity candy on offer to the person who gets chosen by Lil G with the most inventive and feasible birthday celebration.

And now my excuses for being AWOL - my lovely little apprentice has proved herself to be a big clever girl and has been out of nappies since Tuesday but of course that means I've been hopping around keeping an eye on her rather than blog hopping! She's doing really well though and I can count the number of accidents on one hand so normal service should be resumed very soon.

More Blog Candy and I got the album finished!

2008-05-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

Em is giving away some more blog candy to celebrate her birthday and hits milestone so pop over to http://elf-creations.blogspot.com/ and have a look.

Also, I have finished the album for my friend and she collected it this afternoon - she was really pleased with it and told me off for doubting myself with it (*again*), can't help it - especially when I've submitted so many layouts and cards for publication in various places and they've not been used. Ho hum, guess I just need to persevere!

Woooooohoooooooo I'm on a roll - more scrapping done!

2008-05-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

As the (infuriatingly annoying but catchy) song goes "Sun is shining, weather is sweet"

Anyway I think the nice weather has given my creativity a boost because I've made another three 12 x 12 layouts for my ordered album so I've only got another 8 to do. My friend is coming to see my progress on Tuesday so I hope she likes it all.

I also made a daft card for my dad who has just won a town council election - he's either going to love it or disown me lol!

Busy scrapping again

2008-05-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

Here are the next two layouts for my current order - I have decided to definitely not show the picture of the third layout because it contains baby change mat time pictures. Sad sign of the times but I don't think it wise to put that on the internet.

Anyway, these two layouts use a lot of Papermania products and I even brought myself to cut up a 12x12 sheet of patterned vellum on the green layout. I layered it directly over the same pattern elements on the paper but overlapped it with the photos to make the whole design tie in together.

It's getting quite difficult to come up with new page ideas for these photos as this is the fifth album I've made for this lady and there are lots of photos which I have already used in other layouts but I am trying to make every page different :-S I hope she likes them when she sees the finished article.

It's a happy day today!

2008-05-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

This morning I was over the moon to recieve both my PIF Blog Candy from Debbie (thank you - more about PIF later but I LOVE the blingy bits!) and my new book ..... yes despite having three youngsters I HAVE managed to read a couple of books lately, "The Innocent" and it's sequel "The Exiled" by Posie Graeme Evans. I enjoyed them so much I just had to have the third and final book in the series and was made up to find a new copy available on e-bay for just 99p & P&P! That's me engrossed in the world of medieval subterfuge for another week or so then!

Anyway, back to the serious issue of Blog Candy ..... I am now in the position to list the bits which will form my PIF package:

Jewelled Brads
A5 Glittered cardstock
A5 Holographic cardstock
Mini inkpad
A selection of stamped images
A selection of my own Foxcraft doodles (if you win I'll give you a choice of themes)

To be in with a shout please leave me a comment on my blog and then a link to this post on your blog. GOOD LUCK!

Oh and I finished another 12 x 12 layout this evening and 3/4 finished another (just waiting for inspiration for a title to complete it) AND got an order for an exploding box!

Smiles all round :-D

And some more

2008-05-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

Cass, a rock chick at heart has some super duper candy on her blog http://poursomesugaronme-rockchick.blogspot.com/ just for letting her know what your favourite rock song is.

Check it out and let the rocker in you roll

And yet more Candy - especially for Bella fans

2008-05-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

Kitty over at http://kittyskrafty.blogspot.com/ is also doing her bit for crafterskind with another generous blog candy offer including a choice of Bella stamps!

I've just been and left a comment and had a peek at some of her cards (love the quickie with Hamish!), why not follow my lead?

Michelle's giving away Candy as well

2008-05-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

Michelle over at http://cardgrotto.blogspot.com/ is offering some Blog Candy to celebrate her huge hits milestone this week. It's all based around telling her your favourite colour and the candy is all in her (and my) favourite colour PURPLE! Yummy!
Why not pop over there and say hello, her designs are great so you never know how you'll benefit even if you don't win the candy (please don't win it coz I want it tee hee hee!)

An A-maze-ing day - Blog Candy and more

2008-05-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

I have just found out that I was the winner of Debbie (bubblegum)'s PIF Blog Candy http://bubble-deb.blogspot.com/ so I guess it's my turn to drag all my stash out into the open and make up some parcels! All you need to do to be in with a shout is to leave me a comment on my blog between now and May 14th and I will get my darling little apprentice to draw the winners name at random. I will post a picture of the goodies up for grabs as soon as I have sorted a suitable stash out.

And now, as promised, here are the step by step pictures of me making a mini maze book - based on an idea from DoCrafts Creativity Magazine.

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Take a plain sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock (I used DCWV)

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Fold width ways in half and then into quarters

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Turn and then repeat so it is folded into 16 squares

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Make a cut three quarters of the way up the first and third folds

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Then cut three quarters of the way down the middle fold from the opposite side to the previous cuts

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Concertina fold each square one by one following the folds in the paper

Happy Scrapbooking Day!

2008-05-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

To mark the occasion I have made two layouts. One of them must remain secret as I am submitting it to a magazine ........ I will upload it when they have decided whether to use it or not. It is a wedding layout using some of the Bazzill Stitchz Cardstock which is a bit unusual. I also used Letraset Safmat for the titling and had a bit of an appropriate magpie moment using the ribbon from the chocolates that Hubby gave me for our 10th anniversary as a major part of the layout.

The second is for my CALENDAR GIRLS Calendar on the DoCrafts Scrapbooking Chat Forum. All of my layouts for this so far have been for other people but my June page is for my own calendar so I chose to use one of my fun photos of the kids from last summer and quite a few heavier embellishments (the button and brad flower and all the felt butterflies probably wouldn't have travelled so well in the post!)

Well that's it .......

2008-05-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

We have joined the realms of the self employed as of today! It's totally nerve wracking at the moment but if the saying is to be believed you should only ever regret the things you DIDN'T do!

I got my papers from Capture The Magic today so I can't wait to have a play now - I've got loads of ideas floating round my head for pages for my own album and it's about time I put them down on paper.

I made a blank mini maze book as a favour for a crafting friend from the DoCrafts forum this afternoon so I promise to put the step by step pictures and instructions on here as soon as I get chance.

My clever boy and Oh dear you should see the state of my garden!

2008-05-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

The summerhouse was delivered yesterday but of course hubby is working this week so he hasn't even STARTED prepping the garden for it yet - we weren't expecting it to be delivered til next week! As a result, all the component parts are now messing up my garden!

Luckily it's been raining almost constantly since it was delivered so the kids aren't hankering to play in the garden anyway but even if they were I wouldn't be able to let them out there for fear of half a tonne of wood falling on them :S

My clever little boy got Special Child of the Week in his class last week in recognition of super writing but he missed his moment of fame since he was off sick .... he was rather upset at having missed the opportunity to stand up in assembly and take a bow but I'm still very proud of him and the certificate is up on the fridge for all to see.

New layouts completed at last

2008-04-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

These are once again for my friends' album order but I PROMISE I will get some of my personal scrapping done soon - my snapfish order was delivered this morning so I have some of my own photos to play with at last!

Loretta's Monday Challenge Card

2008-04-28T04:26:00.000-07:00

Loretta over on the DoCrafts Cardmaking Forum is running a challenge each Monday so here is my attempt at it.

I used the new Dottie At Work collection for the image, with the desk decoupaged to give an extra dimension. I used Papermania brads which I got from Crumbleycat as a birthday present and textured papers from Readicut.