A few quickies.

 I got into work yesterday and noticed my little stand of cards for sale was looking a bit bleak so I've had to do a few rush cards.

Two for the men.

And one for the ladies.

All made with a Penny Black stamp and a few scraps. To be honest these little quickies sell better than the fancier ones even though they are only 50p more.
Off to make some more quickies now but here's a piccie of some Easter gifts i made with the leftover tags from the last post. The little rabbits are from good old Aldi.

More Summertime Fun.

I was playing around with My Craft Studio, printing some greetings onto card bases when i decided to have a go at printing a a background.I found a square design by Summer Driggs and stretched it a bit into a rectangle and positioned it above the greeting. I had to print it onto scrap paper a few times to get it in the right place but here's the card.

I punched 2 holes for the ribbon and the image is Penny Black. There is a link to the printable greeting on my post from Sunday.

I coloured the spots again with my promarkers.

Update on our syndicate win on the Irish Lottery.................... We have 2 playcards........The counter assistant had put the same (non winning) playcard through the machine  twice so the other one wasn't issued and we ended up with 2 identical tickets.  The bloke who payed them in didn't think to check them so no flamin' money !!! I got over my rant and forgave. I bet he'll be triple checking in future. It's a pity she hadn't put the other one through twice,lol.  I've seen it happen in our shop, if someone has more the one playcard, i'll put them through one at a time and then put each one aside while doing the next but a couple of girls have them all in their hand like shuffling a pack of cards. I always tell the customer to check their tickets as i would be gutted if this happened to one of them.

Another digi freebie.

What a horrible day it was yesterday. I was so glad i went out on Wednesday and finished (?) my Christmas shopping. So i stayed in and churned out another load of bags of chocolate t*ts and reindeer s**t for when i take the sleigh out on Saturday.
I also made my last few cards which is a massive relief. Here's the one i made for the 2 mums using a free digital frame from HERE. It is part of a set.

I had actually written them and a couple of others and put them in envelopes before i realised i hadn't taken any pics. It was dark so i had to use my craft lamp which isn't ideal for photos, it doesn't look as stark in the flesh. The mice and the greeting are both Penny Black. The holly was made with an X Cut Botanicals punch. I coloured some pearls with my promarkers for the berries. It doesn't show in the picture but i've added a bit of chalk around the frame.
Time to get myself off to work now, thanks fo looking.  Di.xx ( PS, Sorry i haven't been commenting on peoples blogs much this week as time is short but i'll be a better blogging buddy when i've got everything sorted.xx).

Target weight 9st 2lb. Today's weight 9st 2lb, only by the skin of my teeth though. I imagine it's going to go up quite a bit from now until January but at least i know i can get it off again.

Quick and easy Chistmas card.

Well what a dull dark day. Not good for colouring or taking photos, so i decided to go for a basic card today. Well i actually made 3 the same but when i tried to photograph them together they just cast shadows on each other,lol.

The stamp is by Penny Black and requires no colouring. The sentiment is Papermania, and i found the bauble embellies when i was sorting out some bits to send to a little girl at Docafts. I hope tomorrow is a better day as i need to make a couple of birthday cards.
I'm off to a beer festival tonight at the local pub. I dread to think what the scales will say on friday but i'm off tomorrow and won't be skimping on the old scrumpy,lol. Oh, and there's going to be food as well, oh dear.
I think i'll just hop on the treadmill for a couple of hours.........................

A quick thank you.

I've not made any cards for the last week so i've had to throw one together this morning, and it is thrown together,lol.I don't usually do any card making on a sunday as me and Speedy are severely joined at the hip when we're off together so apologies for the lack of creative effort.

Even the photo isn't that good but i plan to have a good old session when i'm off on wednesday. The dotty paper is from Clare Curds Signature pad. The background words stamp and the sentiment stamp are both Penny Black. I made the flower with a small scalloped circle punch.
I'm going to give this card and the little spotty tote bag(with some chocs inside) from a n earlier post to my sister in law. We went to her anniversary celebration meal a week ago and didn't realise until the end of the night that it was all paid for. Thanks Pam and Tim.
We're off into town soon for a little wander then we'll be going to our local which is actually a hotel, for a bit of a scoff. I'll be good though and have my usual prawn salad with just a few chips. I've done my 7 miles on the treadmill this morning so that should shift some of the calories.
Enjoy your bank holiday.  Di.xx

Gift bag for Nev.

It's our mate Nev's birthday today, we usually just give a card but I had the urge to make a gift bag today so I'll give that to him too.

I love making these bags as they are so quick and easy. the instructions are at Splitcoast Stampers HERE . As I've said before don't be tempted to make the base bigger or your 12x12 paper won't fit around it. The paper is DCWV and the stamp is of course Penny Black. I printed the little tag from my computer. I've got rather a large stash of sugar free Werther's Originals because of the diet and as he's a diabetic they'll make a safe treat for him so i filled a cello bag and put them inside.
I have made another " revisited" card but decided to let the stickles dry before taking any pics, lol, so that's for tomorrow.
Time to go and earn some rent money now. Thanks or visiting. Di.xx

Fat cat returns.

I made two cards with the Penny Black cat image, here's the other one, more of a male version.

I'm not too keen on that bit at the bottom. I thought it was a bit bare so i decided to doodle around it but i don't think it looks right (it's wonky for a start), i should have used coloured card or perhaps a mottled one and left off the doodling. No doubt someone will buy it in the shop for £1.50, they always buy the naff ones.

My birthday stash has started to arrive, the first was my Elzybels closing down bargains. Then my flippin men and women stamps from Imagenation ,buy all eight men's sets for £20 and get all eight women's sets free, 16 stamp sets for £20!  They aren't what i'd usually go for but i'm glad i ordered them because there's loads of useful elements and sentiments and i'm sure the men and women will grow on me for that price.
 I'm going away for the weekend tomorrow on another mystery tour so i've got ironing and packing to do. I'll have to pack warm clothes and cool clothes with this unsettled weather especially as we don't know where we're going.
      Bye for now, there is a post for tomorrow but none for sat and sun.   Di.xx

Sunglasses needed again.

Just a quickie today as i'm on my way to my mums.

I made this card with the leftovers from yesterdays card. My Penny Black fat cat is out for an airing again. This is the second version as the first attempt got ripped up due to mojo failure. Glad i hadn't attached the image to the front.

 Here's a close up of fatty, i wish promarkers had a slightly finer nib so i could get into corners better.
  Right, shoes on, coat on, out!!    Thanks for looking. Di.x

Have i got any hair left???

I've been tearing my hair out all morning trying to make this card. I thought I'd just go and make mums birthday card, then I can play with my new Lili of the Valley baby stamps. no such thing!! You see i made the mistake of colouring it in on Sunday before choosing a backing paper. I've got so many chopped up sheets of pink papers it's unbelievable, nice ones at that too. They all looked wrong, so i had to change my card size and shape and eventually came up with this.

Her birthday's not until Wednesday but I wanted to get it done today. I've been hankering after this stamp for ages and finally sent for it a couple of weeks ago. I thought a bit of frivolity was just the ticket for a 90th birthday girl.

Here's a close up so you can see all the splodges of glitter glue which isn't dry yet. I'm not proud, lol. The image is Penny Black by the way. The card base is 5"x7".

 I'm so hungry, I haven't eaten anything yet today and I've only just noticed. I'm doing well on the treadmill by the way, 3 miles this morning brisk walking, it seems to be getting easier. Oh here's a laugh for you!! It has 3 quick speed settings which just take you straight to 3, 6, and 9 miles an hour. Well as i was on 5 anyway I thought, I wonder how fast 6 is and pressed it. Oh my giddy aunt, i had to break into a run and it took me ages to dare to let go of the handles to put it back to 3! I won't be doing that again i tell ya. I'd best go and get something to eat now before i eat mother's card.  Di.xx

The nights are drawing in !!

A quick post today before i get ready for work.I'm trying to get as many christmas cards done as possible while there's still plenty of daylight.I also remember how cold it was in my den last year.Another Penny Black i'm afraid but i have 2 new lili of the valley stamps to play with tomorrow.

I'm not sure what the paper is but it's either Papermania or one of the Docraft ones.I'm not that enthralled as the mojo isn't back yet but it will do for one of Speedy's greasy mates. He's a mechanic by the way.
Right best get a move on or i'll be late.    See you soon . Di.x

Birthday hedgie.

Mornin' all. Another sunny one. I've been for a little stroll on my treadmill this morning. It's in the kitchen window which overlooks the canal so i've been watching everyone walking to work with that monday morning look on their faces.When i started my job in the paper shop i had a choice of which days to work, my brain quickly kicked in and i chose not to do mondays as i would cop for all the bank holidays.I may be soft but i ain't stupid.

Todays card is yet another Penny Black one. The paper is from DCWV stack 6.

I did the happy birthday on the computer and added a few buttons and a bit of stickles.

I'm going to mums with my sister today. We take her food shopping to Tesco and Aldi which is lovely but quite stressful. He brain doesn't work like it used to, she has a list and works her way down it but the first item will be in the dairy aisle,the next in the cleaning aisle and the next back in the dairy aisle and so on. I don't think i really needed to go on the treadmill this morning lol. I'd best go and get ready.

   Thanks for visiting.   Di.xx

Yippee !

I seem to be having a Penny Black moment, All my cards from this weeks crafting sessions seem to have their images on them.

These are some more of the papers from my new  DCWV stack.

I'm very short of finishing touches that aren't flowers. I'm going to have to invest in some unisex/masculine buttons and large brads etc, perhaps i could make some ribbon rosettes with buttons in the centres while i'm watching telly.

 Shorty post today as i'm working this morning. Oh, and yes Patrick did buy me a cake yesterday, little sod.

He's such a sweetie pie for a young lad, i didn't have the heart to say i told you no so i'm not going to eat it.No doubt i'll be boozing with speedy this afternoon too as he's another one who gets his own way by being a sweetie pie! Oh, me and my big mouth told him i'd treat him to a bar meal tomorrow as it's father's day. It's not looking good for next week is it?

Come back, i need you !

Mr Mojo has gone and left me again. Apparently there's a few more gone missing lately,i reckon they've been planning this for weeks. I've struggled with the last few cards and only just managed to scrape a few together today. Funny isn't it how some days they just flow and others you end up tearing your hair out.Well time is a great healer, we'll just have to wait

.Meanwhile, this is todays offering. Little Penny Black hedgie and a few punched scraps. Card base is 5"x5" hessian look.
 All these missing mojos, they aren't all into football by any chance are they? If they all come back with a tan and traces of red paint on their faces we'll know where they've been! Now there's a thought, my red lippy's missing too................

Friday weigh in, i'm stuck!!! still 9st 9lb. I must have hit that stage where i need to eat even less......or move about more. The hobby doesn't help does it, sitting making cards or looking at other peoples. I'm with Patrick today as well he always buys me a cake on a friday no matter how many times i tell him not to, young lads don't understand the word diet do they. Oh well , as the school report always said,  "must try harder".

Playing with my new papers.

Speedy was working late last night so i had a chance to have a little play with my new DCWV papers, and blow me if the mojo didn't start playing hard to get. That's my comeuppance for spending no doubt.

I thought this paper was so sweet with the little bones and thought, there's a perfect stamp for this.My favourite little Penny Black dog. So far so good but then i started to struggle a bit. Not for long though and i eventually came up with this. The sentiment was done on the computer and i used 2 of my new buttons. The card base is 5"x5".
Thanks for visiting.   Di.xx

More Christmas cards.

Another dull morning. I've been on a few blogs this week which have been taunting me with pics of bargains found at Hobbycraft. I know i'm always disappointed when i go there but i'm still yearning to go. I'm hoping it might rain soon as that is sure to stop me. I need to go out anyway as i'm running out of lettuce(!!!!) but whether i'll bother with the bus ride, i don't know.

 Anyway while i'm dithering here's a couple of christmas cards.

 Penny Black stamp of course and paper is from the Papermania simply elegant stack.Cards bases are 5"x5" from Tesco home extra.
 I think i'll go out armed with my brolly and see how far i get..........................

Ahh. bless!!

I loved making this card as much as i hated yesterdays. It's definitely more of a "me" card.This image was a freebie from Meljen's designs a few weeks ago. I've just had a look and i can't see it there now so it must have been for a limited time.

Sweeeeet or what? I love cats but i live in a flat so it wouldn't be fair to the poor little thing. If i ever won the lotto it would be estate agent first then cat rescue center before i even thought about furniture. I didn't have any suitable backing papers so i "did" some with promarkers. The sentiment is done on the computer and the little dogs are penny blacks. Card base is 5"x7".

I've made another quite decent card and a few thrown together jobs to do scheduled posts for the weekend with.  I'm off to work now till 6.30, then i'll do my bit of packing and open the wine! D'ya know what? Speedy is such a sweety pie ,he's just said "you can bring your laptop with you if you like". No way hun,otherwise you'll be very lonely. bless,love him to bits.

Friday weigh in, 9st 9lb. how did that happen? 2 cakes and a party last weekend life is strange,if i'd starved myself i'd have probably put weight on. So thats half a stone so far.I'd like to be 9st 2lb which is what i was ten years ago but we'll see............

Pretty boxes.

Morning everyone! I went to a bit of a do at Speedys sisters house last night so for once I wasn't up at the crack of dawn.. We didn't get home that late but when we did I fell asleep in the chair until half three. Not good for the neck I tell ya .We don't really like going out at night as we're more afternoon boozers but we enjoyed it anyway.

Here a few boxes i made last week in a crafting frenzy.

I love making boxes even more than I love making cards and these wee quick and easy to make. It's ages since I inked up any edges as I think I sickened myself of it! They are made of papermill linen effect card and are only about 3"x4".

The stamp is by Penny Black and the flowers were from Hobbycraft. I'll put a few choccies in them and wait for someone to be kind (and i don't mean by buying me cakes either!)
Time for a cup of coffee now while anticipating more of this heat. We live in a flat so there's no such thing as sitting in the garden. There is a large garden but our flat is above a public building so it's not very private and we don't use it : (        See you soon . Di.xx

Drat, and double Drat!!!!

Can you believe the same catastrophe can happen twice in one day? Yesterday morning my bosses dad came in and asked if we would like anything from the pie shop. Patrick (young greedy sod) said he'd have a meat pie. I said "nowt for me i'm on a diet as you already know". Patrick-"get her a pie". Me "no thanks don't get me anything". Patrick-"get her a cake". Me " NO, i'm on a DIET, you KNOW that!!".  As you've guessed they bought me a meringue.Right, OK, whatever. I had it for lunch instead of the cup a soup i had taken with me. Next thing a mate of mine strolled in,  plonked a danish pastry on the counter and flounced out before i could say anything!! I remember a magazine article entitled "are your friends making you fat?" Well actually , YES.!

  Anyway here's todays cards.

Hedgies on sledgies! The stamp is from the Penny Black Christmas Critters set. The paper is one of the Docrafts pads i'm not sure which as the cover is missing.

Well that's it for now, i'm on my way to work I hope nobody comes anywhere near me with food!

   Thanks for visiting. Di.xx

Off to hobbycraft

Naughty me, i'm up nice and early today as i've got a very strong desire to go to Hobbycraft, lord knows why, i'm always disappointed when i get there.I don't even need anything, i think it may be because the sun is out. Mind you Tesco Home Extra is next door and they sell cards and envies at £5 for 50 so i'll not be coming back empty handed, oh and there's a TK Maxx too.
Here's a card i made yesterday in my nice tidy room , which is still tidy!

The stamp is Penny Black of course and the papers are my favourite Brenda Pinnick.I paper pieced the balloons. I love paper piecing and would happily do it on every card i make but i don't in case i get bored with it.

I finished it off with some doodling and some punched flowers and leaves.
Has anyone else been having trouble positioning photos on their blog posts? For the last week it has taken me exactly 3 tries with every photo to get it to go where i want instead of at the top of the post. I have to click on remove and try again and always on the third try, it works. Very irritating. I've put a post in Blogger help forum but had no reply yet.
Well i must hurry and get ready and get out as it would only take one drop of rain to put me off going.
    Bye for now. Di.xx

More christmas cards.

Two of my favourite things, Penny Black stamps and christmas.I know it's early but i need to make a few each month because i also make quite a lot of my gifts and stocking fillers so i'm determined to avoid the usual last minute panic this year.

This stamp is from the Holly Days clear set. the papers are Brenda Pinnick available now and again from QVC. They're usually on the Rosemary Merry shows on craft days. 200 sheets of good quality 12x12 for around £10 , keep your eyes peeled. Ohh, look one of my little leaves is bent!
 I'm staying in today as there aren't many mens cards left at work so i need to make some more and i need to carry on with another batch of wedding invitations.
  Bye for now. Di. x