3 of a kind ATCs and new pic of Sunflower

Another grey and foggy day here in North Yorkshire. I am really wishing for some sun soon. I could use a vitamin D fix. Today we had to take the car for some new tires so there were a few hours to pass at the shoppes. We happened to find this awesome store "Home Sense". We browsed the isles and found some nice things. I love finding bargains and boy did we find some great ones.

So on the creative front my ideas are still slow at coming but I finally finished my ATCs for the 3 of a kind ATC swap on UK Stampers Forum. Here they are. Sorry the first picture is not too good but my flash is acting up.


The 3 red flowers on the first ATC are my 3 of a kind there. I stamped them on a blank napkin using Close to My Heart stamps then added them to the card using a gloss medium that came with my Napkin kit. The background is stamped with a clear script text stamp from unknown origin. I also used distress inks to color the background.
The second flower ATC has Roses done the same way using napkins and an unknown rose stamp(it is the rose from the middle of a circle stamp) the napkin was colored using shimmer paint that also came with my kit. The background is stamped with a mesh stamp from the Stamp Man (Christmas set)It is embossed with Gold and inked with Distress inks. The edges are foiled with gold. I was going to use the Rose stamp as my 3 of a kind but I am not sure if it qualifies since they are overlapping so I added something else. The 3 of a kind on this ATC are the 3 orange gems.

The 3rd ATC using a Close to my Heart Seahorse stamp inked in walnut ink then embossed with Moonglow Angel Wings gold. the background is Distress inks and the edges are torn strips of napkin edges. My 3 of a kind here are the Seahorses.

So this is the extent of my creative projects so far. Maybe tomorrow will bring some more ideas. Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day. Angela

A little Bit of Crafting

Today Belle went to work with her father for a bit so after the housework was taken care of I got to sit up in my craft room for a little while and sit I did ....sit and stare at my desk. I seem to be having a hard time coming up with anything creative. Maybe it was too many cookies or too much baileys over the holiday???I do not know. So off I went on the web to check out some of my favourite stops....maybe they can help? Anyway Over at UK Stampers Forum I found an ATC swap and weekly challenge so I decided to take a go and here is what I turned out......

My tag is created for the Week 39 challenge where there was a list of ingredients to use:

Stamped text background

Found object

Image of an angel
My found object is the paper ribbon on the bottom of the tag. It is from Anna Griffin. I just happend to find a spool of it in my box of gems so I guess that makes it a found object. the text backgroun is an unknown clear stamp I picked up a while back at the Harrogate show. I also used Stormy Sky and Dusty Concord Distress ink over the text stamp. The Angel is from a Stampin Up set and coloured with Promarkers and distress inks. Her wings are embossed with Moonglow Angela Wings Turquoise as are the snowflake stamps from Tim Holtz down the side.

My next little creative project are 3 misc ATC's. I decided to play with my US Artquest Napkin collage kit I bought from the Stamp Man a while back. I really love my kit and had alot of fun making these. the napkin images are really nice. I am still working on my ATC swap for the UK Stampers forum 3 of a kind swap.

Well I am still not feeling it though so maybe tomorrow will bring a more creative outlook. Maybe if the sun came out it would help a bit. It seems to be cloudy and foggy every day lately.
thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day. Angela

Christmas project and photos

This Christmas one of my projects was to make my daughters Christmas dress. Of course she had to design it so I was left to get the finished product complete. The material she chose was absolutely horrible to sew. It had a bit of stretch to it so it kept puckering and jumbling up the stitches. I am happy with the final product though, as was my daughter as you might be able to tell. Not bad for working from a child's sketch and no pattern. she wanted it to look like Belle's Christmas dress from the Beauty and the beast Christmas movie. I think it looks somewhat medieval.

Here is a view (or at least part of)the back of the dress.

Christmas was pretty quiet around here except for the kiddies being all excited with the pressies. the biggest kid of all was our furbaby Sunflower. She seemed to have gotten more pressies than anyone.

I think this is her favourite time of the year

She loves her pressies. Especially her new collar. See it on her? She did not want to take it off.

Now here is another thing my daughter talked us into over the holiday. Have you ever hear of the little fishes at "Happy Feet" that eat away the dead skin from your feet to make them softer? Well they just opened one in York and my daughter convinced us to go. It was so weird. The fish just go crazy attacking your feet like little piranhas without teeth. It really tickles but does work. Although I do not know if I could sit through it again. My daughter loved it. Definitely a weird experience.

So that was a little of what we have been up to over the past few days. I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas. I am hoping to get to some crafting tomorrow , it is supposed to snow so I am hoping for a bit of a snow day. Not too much just enough to make it a nice day in. Have a great evening and thanks for stopping in. Angela

Countdown to Christmas day 23-25 and Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas today! We have had a lovely day at home just the 4 of us and lots of skyping. How did you spend your christmas?
Well today is the final day of the Countdown to Christmas Matchbox swap. This has been such a fun swap. so now onto the matchboxes I received for days 23-25

Day 23 is from Kelly and is adorable with a little snowman and tree. Inside is a really cute little paper doll sheet and pin.

Day 24 comes from Nancy P. and is a cute little scene. I love little miniatures.

And now the final Day 25 comes from Hope, one of my previous swap partners from the Mussie Tussie swap at A swap for all seasons. Hopes matchbox is so sweet with a liitle house and window scene. Inside is an adorable little wooden snowman ornament.

Thanks Kelly, Nancy and Hope. I love them.
Well this has been a great swap I have had a wonderful time. Thanks also to Linda for organising and running the whole swap. I cannot wai to see what Linda has in planned for her next swap. Thanks for joining me throughout the Matchbox reveals . Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas. Angela

Countdown to Christmas swap days 19-22

We are almost there in the Countdown to Christmas Matchbox swap. Day 25 is just around the corner. This swap has been so much fun, I just wish I had a bit more time to browse all the wonderful blogs of those participating in the swap. Well at least the presents are wrapped and the cleaning done so there is a bit extra time in the schedule. So now for a bit of catchig up on my part again, here are my matchboxes received for days 19-22.

Day 19 is from Francie and contains a beautifully festive pair of earings. I love the little snowflake charms on the box too! so pretty.




Day 20 is very unique and comes to me from Mary. Inside is a cute little ornament.
Day 21 comes from Wendy and is another unique design timmed with gold ruffle and festive fabric. Inside it is hidden a cute little stocking ornament.

and finally day 22 ceoms from Pam. It is decorated with a decorative flower and fancy flower pull. Inside is hidden not 1 but 2 little ornaments!

Only 3 more to go now so be sure to check back for the final 3. Thanks for stopping in and wishing you a wonderful day. Angela

Countdown to Christmas days 14-18

Well it has been a very busy week here so I must apologise for not posting my matchboxes all week. Monday was spent with rescheduled driving lesson, picking up DH from the train station and of course work at school. Tuesday was school then baking and cooking for the cookie swap...Here Belle is preparing her cookies for the swap. Gingerbread cut outs.

and here they are all finished and iced in blue of course.

The wednesday was Craft day at school then home to prepare for the cookie swap that evening. There were lots of yummy cookies baked by all...

and lots of yummy food to eat before the sweets.

Everyone had a great time and left wit plenty of yummy cookies and recipies.

So my cookie swap has been inspired by my friend Zandra back in the states. She is having her this weekend which I am sadly missing this year. I am sure the girls back home are having a great time at Zandras cookie swap which is awesome. I will be missing them all.

Thursday was a full day of work at school, then helping with the crafting activities in the Christmas church night at the village hall followed by teaching my last class for family craft night.

Then Friday was school again and helping out at the kids carol event at church then home to crash for a little bit before posting. Which leads me to now....my Countdown to Christmas Swap mathboxes for days 14-18.

Day 14 is from Michelle and contains a sweet little bottle cap magnet.

Day 15 paris inspired by Lyneen and contains a sweet pin and ribbon.

Day 16 is from Valerie and contains a cute little ornament.

Day 17 is from Jenny and contains a cute star ornament.

And finally number 18 is from Michele with a beautiful little pendent.

Thank you Michelle, Lyneen, Valerie, Jenny and Michele. I will be by shortly to visit your blogs. Now I must bid you good night as there is another full day of running around tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful evening. Angela

Countdown to Christmas swap Day 13

Another wonderful box to open today in the Countdown to Christmas matchbox swap over at A swap for all Seasons. Todays Matchbox comes to me from Bonnie and is beautifully decorated with Santa and silver trimmings.

And inside a beautful little handmade ornament. Thank you Bonnie.

Now for a full day of driving lessons, work and picking up DH from the train, Oh and yeah I have to fit making cookies in there somewhere as well as cleanign the house. Wish I had a few more hours in the day. why does chistmas time always have to sneak up like this. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day. Angela

Day 12 of the Countdown to Christmas swap

Today is day 12 for the Countdown to Christmas swap and it comes from Vanessa. Look at how nicely it is wrapped up.





And all the work that went into it...Such a cute idea.
Then there is the surprise inside....Isn't this little guy just adorable? Vanessa made it all. I am so amazed at all the details. Thank you so much Vanessa. It is perfectly adorable. Where did you find the time?

I am having such a fun time with this swap. Can't wai to see tomorrows box. Now it is time to hit the sack after a long day of Christmas shopping. Hoping you have a great evening and thanks for stopping by. Angela

Countdown to Christmas swap Day 9,10 and 11

Sorry I have been MIA the past few days. The kids play is finally over and what a wonderful job they all did. considering all the delays caused by the snow and weather everything turned out great although we were all completely shattered come Friday. Today there was a bit of running around to do and decorations to put up before I could allow myself some computer time. So now onto the Countdown to Christmas Swap Matchbox reveals for Day 9,10 and 11.

Day 9 came from Sherry. This cute little box featured an adorable snowpeople family complete with glitter. Inside my box was an adorable little pair of ear muffs and scarf. the perfect size for the dollhouse people. How lovely is that. Day 10 Comes from Carol. Theis one was decorated with a sleigh charm and snowflake on christmas paper. Inside contained a beautiful little beaded charm that looks like an angel from the side. So pretty. Even the inside of the box is decorated with snow and a background.

Number 11 is from Jan and is decorated with christmas candies complete with a candy cane style ribbon. Inside the box awaits a beautiful puzzle piece charm. I love it. The bix is also decorated inside with a lovely little tree.

Thanks Sherry, Carol and Jan for the wonderful boxes. I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings for day 12. Now I am off to catch up on my blogging and finish the decorating. Have a wondeful evening and thanks for stopping in. Angela

Crazy busy, Matchbox swap Day 6,7, 8 and new goodies.

Monday was the first day back to my volunteer work at the school since all the snow and there is so much work to be done this week before the kids Christmas show. Unfortunately they lost all of last week for practice, costumes(had to sew 2 and finish off a few more of them today) and such from the snow days so it is crazy tyring to get it all done. There has been little time for anything else. So I apologise for not posting my matchbox reveal for day 6. I know I will be really busy until the show is over on Thursday so I am posting Day 6, 7 and 8 tonight. I Hope to be caught up with everything on Friday. So here is days 6, 7 and 8 of my Matchbox reveals for the Countdown to Christmas swap over at A swap for all seasons.

Day 6 - Come from Molly She decorated her box with a sparkly shell. Inside was another little shell ornament which actually came from her home beach. How sweet. thanks Molly.





Day 7 is from Becky. This cute little box held a little wrapped resent. How adorable...
And in the present was a sweet little ornament.

So now onto day 8 and this one is all sparkly with a cute glittery tree. My day 8 matchbox comes to me from Angela(Yes another Angela) over at down to the darling details. Now I have been trying to get onto her blog but the page is loading with errors for me. I know it must be my browser setting because any blogs I go to that are from "Cutest blog on the block" seem to load with errors. If anyone can brief me as to what I might have to do to view the blog I would be in your debt.

So this little box contained A cute little Santa ornament. Thanks Angela. I am sorry I cannot get to your blog to comment. I will be over soon as I get time to research the problem.

So a big thank you to Angela, Becky J and Molly.

I got a package on my doorstep this evening when I got home. last week when I was reading through my blogs I saw a posting from Jill at The stamp man about a US Artquest Napkin tin kit. Well after seeing a little preview I just had to get me one and it showed up today. I cannot Wait to get time to play with it. I have not had time to photograph it yet but you can see Jill's post about it here. It is filled with so many scrumptious things I cannot wait to to get my hands into it. I also got my Christmas downloads from Dyan at Art from the Heart ...More to play with. Oh for a few spare hours to spend blissfully crafting away to my hearts content.....Not...Gotta Wait till after Thursday.

and Finally for the last bit of my post for the day.....I have decided to have a little party....as if I did not have enough to do already but whats a few more things right..... A very good friend of mine back in the states Zandra, is having her annual cookie swap soon and I am over 3000 miles away. Boo Hoo! It is such a great fun filled night and I am missing it. I am really missing the fun things like that for this Christmas being miles away from old friends and family so I decided to have a cookie(or rather Biscut as the English say) swap here! (I hope you don't mind Z,I am borrowing your idea., Giving you all the credits for it of course though.) Now I know it will not be as good as Zandras but I will try my best to do her proud. I will definitely miss the bunch during their swap. Anyway, I will post some of the highlights from the night once it gets here. Wishing you all a wonderful night. Stay warm. Angela

12 tags day 4 & 5 and countdown to Christmas day 5

Saturday was our first day out running errands after all the snow. As you can see the roads are still not that great around. Fortunately it rained a bit so about half of it melted before Saturday was over.

Belle and I decided to spend Sunday indoors out of the cold so a crafting day it was. Here are my tags for Tim Holtz's 12 days of Christmas which we have been playing along with. You can view Tim's tags here.
Tag# 4 - The technique used alcohol inks on facets with stamping now since I did not have any facets I used smaller bubble gems and did the same technique. they are set in Brads from Chatterbox. I like how they came out. The background is coloured with Stormy sky, Old Paper and Broken China Distress inks then stamped with Tim's Holly stamp in white stazon and Flourish stamp in Stormy sky. The white trim is from Rusty Pickle and the red is from a local shop back in the states. I made some dangle beads and attached them to the top ribbon. The Santa stamp is from Tim Holtz and coloured using Pro-markers. Gems are from Prima. The "Merry Christmas stamp is from Tim and embossed with Candy Cane MoonGlow EP on Old Paper and walnut stain Distress inked paper.

Tag # 5 of Tims used allot of Techniques(Embossing on Metal, Stickels etc). I did not have all the items needed so I had to improvise I used Ages Mahogany Distress ink for the background and stamped Tim's Holly stamp in black which was then coloured in using distress stickels in Aged Mahogany and Pine Needles. The Santa Stamp is from Tim and stamped in black then coloured on the beard and hat border using a white dabber. Since I did not have the diecut I used a strip of Black and white flocked paper I got from the Craft Den and inked it with peeled paint Distress Ink. The strip in the center is just plain paper stamped with Tim's Christmas Carol music stamp and inked with old paper Distress ink. the lace is from a local store in the states. My numbers are chipboard (I could not find 25 in metal). I embossed them with white and edged with black. The metal Charm is from Tim as is the metal flower and leaves. The flower is embossed with Moonglow Candy Cane red EP and the leaves with Obsidian Midnight Emerald Moon Glow EP.

So now to my Day 5 Matchbox Reavel for the Countdown to Christmas Swap. Todays Matchbox comes from Linda at Country Pickins. Now look how sweetly it was packaged.

And the matchbox inside did not disappoint either. It had a lovely little Angel on the top with a cute bow, Gold trim and a crystal knob. And inside was a beautiful pair of beaded dangle earings. Thanks so much Linda. It was wonderful.

Well now I will leave you with a picture of another new member of the family. They gave him the name Mickey. Dave and Belle made him in the backyard last night. Isn't he sweet?

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful evening. Hope you enjoyed your visit! Angela

12 tags Day 3 and The Stamp Man challenge blog

Today is day 3 for Tim's 12 Tags and you can find his tag here . Over at the Stamp Man Challenge blog their new challenge is up and the challenge is to use just 3 colours so I decided to combine the 2 and create my tag # 3 for the challenge. I used Walnut Stain, Stormy sky and Fired Brick. I decided to make an icy looking tag because it is so brrrrrr Cold out!

For the background I used Stormy Sky Distress ink. the snowflakes are Tim's winter stamps embossed with(you guessed it) Moon glow Silver moon Turquoise EP. The tree is another of Tim's winter stamps inked with Stormy sky Distress ink then filled in a bit with Walnut stain Distress ink. The image is then embossed using the Moon Glow Silver moon 2 X . The tag is edged in Walnut stain Distress ink and tied with a piece of sparkly white lace.

The bird is really just red but it reflected the light a bit to look like it has white specks on it but it does not. I used Tim's bird stamp and stamped in Fired Brick Distress ink then cut out and covered with Distress crackle glaze and Rock Candy Stickles. The edges are inked with Walnut Distress ink. The nest is made from Flowersoft Ivory mixed with Walnut ink Distress ink and Crackle glaze.

The flower is cut from Tim's Tattered Florals then stamped with his Christmas Carol music stamp using Stormy sky Distress ink. It is then covered with Distress crackle glaze. The middle is filled with beads and Rock Candy Stickles. The top of the lace is covered with a clear ribbon covered with Rock Candy stickles and beads. the sign is stamped with a Prima frame stamp a inked with Storm sky Distress ink then wiped with a baby wipe and cut down to a smaller size. I also added the beads and Rock Candy stickles here too and roughed the edges then inked with Walnut stain Distress ink. It is held on with a piece of silver twisted wire.

Here is the picture of all the trees out the window and my inspiration today. It never did warm up at all so they still look like this all covered in ice. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day. Angela