Goodbye 2015

I can't say I'm too sad to see 2015 come to a close.

I hope 2016 will bring new opportunities, growth and much joy. I think we need to make it our year for travelling further but also for some long needed home inprovements.

And of course my pledge to myself to design more

See you next year
Buffy xx

Cute card before the New Year

Hello,
well the British weather has done it again.
Large areas of the north are flooded and the weather prediction isn't looking promising for these poor people.
Why is the flooding getting worse year on year.....flood defences of course. When you block up rivers to stop them flooding one area you only push the problem further upstream.
One day someone in charge will finally realise this......but I won't hold my breath!
Well that's my gripe out of the way, now on to more pleasant topics.

I have made a card for my dear friend who I haven't seen in a long time. It is based on the cute card thursday challenge

• Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes

 

Intertwining the hexagon with the floral flourish die was possibly the hardest part of creating this card. Although making the frame for the honeycomb section wasn't easy, I terrible at lining up my dies to create thin frames. But I don't think I did too bad.

The insert had to have a few bees too. The group of bees were 2nd press to give them that muted appearance.
I really love my WMS-Lil Buddies stamp set.

(maybe one day I'll find the courage to send Claire the designs I create for an accessory set for the Little Hero's/Heroines)


   My Resolution for 2016, in fact the only resolution I am going to make, is to create/design more. Whether that is cards, crochet patterns, recipes or getting more funky with my photography. I'm going to make it my new year goal!
To start off on the right road I have treated myself to a new design book and gone slightly OTT with the cover

 All ideas, creations, design plans and creative projects will go in here. Hopefully this time next year it will either be bursting at the seems or it will have been so full I'll have had to buy another one.

Off to make my brother-in-law and one of my workmates birthday cards. Although it isn't 2016 just yet I will include them in my new design book.

Back soon
Buffy x

Nice little gifts

Just wanted to share my nieces new little business.

She makes fabulous unique glassware gifts

Here is just one example of her work.

She has made us a set of personalised wine glasses for our xmas present

I will share it with you all when we've opened it.

Click the link below for more examples of her work









Glass Act Giftware


I also want to share sneak peek no. 2

Yes, it's just the topper. but we're nearly at reveal time





I will be back soon, when I've completed some cards






Bye for now
Buffy

Sisters Birthday

Only a few days till my sisters birthday, so I have made her card based on 2 challenges

• Less is More challenge 254 - One Layer 

• Mojo Monday challenge 428

 This required a lot of masking to keep it a single layer. I cut several different shaped masks out of sticky-notes. I stamped my main image first then worked out (with a ruler) how to arrange the needed elements of the Mojo sketch (above).
After a lot of measuring and rough pencil scketch, I was able to start inking and colouring.

I used subtle colours because I didn't want them to overpower the actual dimensions. Being 2D, I just felt the lines of each section should be give it the layers.

I took this side angled view to show it's beautiful flatness.

Sorry it's a little out of focus.

Now I just hope Jasmine likes it.







I used SU Crisp Cantelope and Creamy Caramel inks, Promarkers,Finerliner Pen, WMS Compact Sentiments and Santoro No.8 stamp.

What a great challenge this was!

Back very soon
Buffy xx

For those of you I have known for several years:
in the early hours of Tuesday morning we lost my mother-in-law. We believe at this time it was a heart attack but we will know once the postmortem has been completed. She had been poorly for a week and was on strong antibiotics.
We are in no doubt she is now giving my father-in-law hell and probably a kick up the arse.
We will miss her dearly.

Challenging Birthday

I said I would be back with a birthday card today and I don't like breaking my promises.
I loved the sketch for Mojo Mondays challenge this week

Mojo Monday Challenge#427

Here is my take on the sketch:

I used a simple Feather pattern in bold colours as the card is for a very bold lady. I was delighted to find I had Nuvo Crystal Drops that matched the inkpads colours. A little Silver mirri card to add bling and a fab mess ribbon from the bottom of my stash. It's just ashame my photo isn't very good.

I hope that anyone who has tried to have a look at my Salted Caramel Crispies recipe (in the download tab) has been able to open it with problems.

I am currently trying to help a friend by writing a team management plan for them. I know they've been stressed just recently and I just hope I can put something together that helps them out. It is a bit a tough one but that's what friends are for.

So back to the hard slog
Keep creating and crafting
Buffy xx

New Tab

I have now created an extra tab  called "Downloads" this is where I will be sharing any recipes, crochet patterns, colouring tutorials and so on.

Please try my Salted Caramel Crispies recipe - it is a downloadable PDF file.

I would love to hear how your batch turn out

Back tomorrow with a Birthday card

Buffy x

Salted Caramel Crispies

I am currently writing up my recipe for these lovely little treats.

These are my Salted Caramel Crispies and I am very pleased to say that everyone in my office who tried one really liked them. (Yes, I actually managed to sneak some out of the house)

I will hopefully have the recipe write-up finished and on my blog by tomorrow evening. (photos included).
I am considering converting it to a PDF so anyone who would like my recipe can just download it and have a go.

 I will share a sneak peek of my xmas cards for this year.
Here is sneak peek 1

Any fans of WMS will no doubt recognise this character.
My wonderful husband bought me this stamp set for xmas last year and I have been frantically experimenting with colour styles. But I finally settled on the look I wanted
My xmas reveal might surprise you.





Well, it's getting late and this recipe won't finish writing itself

Buffy x

Anything goes

I notice Papertake were having an anything goes challenge

• Papertake Weekly anything-goes

 so here is my take on the challenge, I created Letters from Santa for one of the ladies I work with


You may notice some smudging on the letter, I used photoshop to smudge out her childrens names.

This is my first attempt at caligraphy
(good excuse to buy a small caligraphy kit)

I also used my WMS-candy jar christmas fillers stamp set.
SU Inkpads-creamy caramel, blushing bride, marine mist, bermuda bay and Rose red

But the best part of this was when I took them into work this morning to show her what I'd created for them.
Her face lit up and it made me some happy.

I rolled them up and used some red ribbon and a very simple label (with her kids names on) to seal them.

If her childrens faces light up the way hers did, then I will be extremely happy.

Blogging -
I have been a rubbish blogger recently, I think I shall have to make a resolution to post at least once a week. My life is full of plenty of interesting things I could share. So I really need to make more effort.

bye for now
Buffy x

More Scotland

Good evening,

well it's been a bit of a damp day. But it wouldn't be a bank holiday if it wasn't.

After a brisk walk up from Dog falls you get a lovely view over Glen Affric. Slightly damp day then too.

But before you think Scotland was all rain I can assure you it wasn't

The first evening we got there we had a beautiful warm evening. This is Spikey bridge which crosses over the railway lines by Stirling station. Mawgan was disappointed that there was a train station so close to our hotel.
 And just after my wade through the plunge pool, we were glad to be walking in the forest as it gave us a little bit of shelter.

My Graham enjoying the peace and quiet. The rain was to our advantage though, all the local waterfalls (and there are quite a few) were at the absolute best. As you see in my previous post about Plodda Falls.

This is the new metal bridge not far from Dog Falls, the original wooden bridge was swept away earlier in the year when torrential rain caused unprecedented damage to a vast area of Scotland.



The river here is the start point of Dog Falls, I tried to capture the power of the river.

Whilst we were in the area we attempted to grab a few geocaches, not the easiest terrain to navigate. But we managed to get a couple, unfortunately our goal geocache was a little elusive as it involved a very steep hill (mountain in England) and thick heather undergrowth. We are not discouraged though, we'll just have to try again next year. I think Graham will wear his gaitors next time so he doesn't end up with another hitch-hiker ( he picked up a tick).

This is the famous Falkirk Wheel, a truly marvellous bit of engineering. (Note sunshine!) If you can get to Falkirk to see this in action then do it is completely worth it. I was amazed at how quiet it was when it began turning. They also do canal trips so visitors can experience it first-hand. We grabbed 4 geocaches while we were here and also a delicious ice-cream.

Back soon

Hugs

Buffy x

Challenge to DIE for

I know...terrible pun, but I really have gotten the die bug.
I spent far too much at Doncaster and 90% of it was on dies.

So to partly justify my spending spree, I designed my brother-in-laws birthday card based on;
 "Papertake Weekly Challenge" - to Die for

 I used my new Memorybox "Loopy Rings" and "Large Ringlets" dies. I cut them from plain white card and used ProMarkers to colour them.

My B-I-L is quite a keen golfer so this little chap was a must.

I also promised to tell more about our Scottish adventure. Well, for those of you who don't know, we are quite keen geocachers and a holiday in Scotland would not be complete without collecting a few.

That doesn't sound so adventurous I hear you call....

But that depends on whether you a freezing your tootsies off wading your way through a plunge pool in the highlands...

And then scramble up the other side.....but even after 20 minutes of searching I came back empty handed.
(The 2 photos above were taken by our daughter Mawgan)
 
I think it just means we have no choice but to return next year and have another go.
On the plus side I got to see Plodda Falls in all it's glory.

This view on it's own was worth the soggy cold crossing. If you look closely you can just about make out some chaps arm (on the lefthand side of photo).
Back soon with more tales and card-making

Buffy

Quick Night Post

Good evening,

we have been away in Scotland and it was wonderful.
Here is a quick pic and then I had better get off to bed.

Mawgan took a piccie of Gray & I next to Plodda Falls, near Glen Affric in the scottish highlands.


Plodda Falls is the second highest waterfall in Scotland.


This is one of our favourite spots and we always try to get here when we're in Scotland.









This is actual a rare thing, we have very few photos of Graham & I together. So Mawg made a effort this holiday to get us together more.

Will return soon with more piccies and the story of my caching disaster

Hugs
Buffy x

Challenges

The past weeks has been full of challenges.

My first challenge of the week was my practical PTS course, which I can proudly say I passed with flying colours.

Speaking of colours, we come to my second challenge of the week;

The Colour Q challenge











And here is my creation

I created a bookmark using the challenge colours, then designed the card around it.
I made sure that once the bookmark was removed it wouldn't be dull and blank

so I made a centre piece using a die, which I cut from white card and coloured in using promarkers that matched the ones needed.


I did the same thing with the corners.

I did a similar thing with the insert.

For this project I used;-

• Tattered lace dies
• Gorjuss stamp girl
• Clarity stamp sentiments
• S.U. Ink pad
• Promarkers
• Ribbon from stash

My last challenge of the week was to keep calm while an important computer programme decided to play silly beggars. I managed to NOT throw the blooming machine out the window (Hurray me!!) LOL

Back very soon
Hugs
Buffy xx

I Passed!

Hurray! Hurray!

I have just passed the e-learning section for my PTS (personal track safety).
I am extremely happy.

And very tired
Good night
Hugs
Happy Buffy xx

Monday Card

What a busy drizzly day. On the plus side Mawgan made lasagne for dinner, the new door is being fitted tomorrow and our new shower should be here by lunchtime. (the old shower developed a fatal wiring burnout).

I have made a quick challenge card;

• Mojo Monday

This is the sketch they set and here is the card I whipped up

I had to quickly make a card as my youngest only reminded me at dinner that it was her friends birthday.


And since she would have left for the birthday meal before I got home from work tomorrow it didn't give me much time.
















Well, Pancake day tomorrow and I made sure I had some maple syrup in the cupboard ready.
As well as some blueberries :-)

Back again soon
Hugs
Buffy x

Out with the Old

I am really looking forward to Tuesday this week. We are have a nice new  pvc kitchen door fitted.
HURRAY
It is going to be so nice not having to paint it any more.

Well that's all I have to share at the moment
Wishing you all good-night
Hugs
Buffy x

Share that Loved Up feeling

Hello again,

Yes, I'm back again. I really have been crafting my heart out recently and I have another card to share.
I have based my husbands valentines card of the Colour Q challenge

Colour Q Challenge # 279





I loved the idea of using newspaper in my creation.

I have used a mix of dies - Xcut Loveheart and Tattered Lace Kaleidoscope Corner (cut in S.U.Basic black & Real red cardstock). The newspaper is our local telegraph. The sentiment stamp is WMS compact sentiments.

Inside I used this cute Fizzymoon stamp.
I coloured in his love-hearts with Promarker ruby.










I hope you have all had a lovely valentines day.

Big Hugs
Buffy xx

Busy Busy Birthdays

Hello
I am looking forward to the end of February. Birthday after birthday and Valentines day....Aaaaaarrrrgh!
I am still working on my sons 21st birthday card, but at least I have now finished my sis-in-laws card.
My inspiration for her card came from the sketch on

• Mojo Monday #384

I liked the simple clean lines and decided to stick close to the challenge sketch, plus I just bought a couple of Gorjuss stamps at the weekend and needed to use them

I am quite pleased with how it came out. Carole (sis-in-law) and I normally send each other cheeky/sarcastic cards, so I thought I'd shock her by giving her a mildly girly card this year. The flowers were made with Tattered Lace dies, the ribbon was out of a new top (god bless hanging ribbons), the sentiments (inside also) are from Clarity stamps, colouring-in was done with ProMarkers and the cardsstock is S.U. Daffodil delight and Slate grey.

The insert paper is a very old printable papers I almost forgot I had. It came very close to being deleted. I'm afraid I can't remember the design or make.









I also got a very pleasant surprise yestarday. My dear friend Debs (DebsGems) sent me a beautiful card/letter, which I will share when I've taken a picture of it.
I really need to get all these cards finished first.

Goodnight all
Hugs
Buffy x

Bit of a challenge

A little bit on the chilly on the way to and from work today.
At least it's finally starting to get lighter in the evenings.


I decided to make another challenge card and

• Papertake Weekly - Anythings Goes

was the perfect challenge for another male colleagues birthday card. (I'm in charge of birthday card for our section.) He's a little football mad

I decided B&W with a tiny bit of colour would be the best way.
This little chap is LOTV Super Striker, I used various Cool Grey Promarkers, layered some SU grey and black card, plus two small pieces of yellow and red card.
The football has dimension as I double stamped the image then cut the ball out, placed it image side down in my palm and rubbed my finger over the back. I added two small foam pads and pushed the edges down.
Now I just have to hope it's a hit at the office.

Very busy day tomorrow so I shall sign off for now
Back soon
Hugs
Buffy xx

A quick Hello with a challenge card

Hello

Goodness what an absolutely mental month January has been. I can't believe it's already over.

Not to worry though, back to the important business of crafting.
I have a few items to share this evening, firstly a birthday card. A masculine birthday card! But also a challenge card

• Cute Card Thursday "No Pattern Paper"

This is one of my favourite stamps from LOTV and I think I have found the perfect way to get a giggle from it.

He does have a lovely puzzled look, so the question marks were a must. Note I have double-stamped the one above his head

The letter tiles are from Clarity stamps and the Question mark is a very old See-Ds stamp.








I have also gone back to making amigurumi, I saw a gorgeous pattern for a kokeshi doll and just had to have a go.

I put a AA battery in the photo to give an idea of size.

I still need to add the keychain to her hair-bun













Well it's time to turn in, work is bound to be hectic in the morning

Night
back soon with a work in progress

Hugs
Buffy xx