An Elzybells dog box

I was very lucky last week to receive all the components to make this adorable little box from Paul who runs the ATC swappers ATC swap which I have been taking part in this year. The box was so lovely to put together. It is made from a Sizzix XL die and I really want one of my own now!


Paul had cut out all the pieces for me and stamped the image so all I had to do was colour it in and assemble it.


I used a K+Co flower ,which I had bought from Susie's fabulous online shop, as the inspiration for colouring in the cute dog image from Elzybells. I also added a bit of K+Co ribbon from my stash which coordinated perfectly with the theme.


I am so pleased with the end result. Thank you so much Paul and Thank you for all the stamped doggy images you sent me too it was so kind of you!

I hope you all had a good weekend.

Jane
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ATCS for Addicted to ATCs November swap

I finally managed to get around to doing my ATCs for the Addicted to ATCs swap I run with Petra.
The theme was 'Something Spooky', so I used one of my favourite Elzybells stamps. I have used this trio so many times this year, I think this was my last chance to make something out of it for 2009!

I cut the little Witch out after colouring her in and mounted her onto some Daisy and Dandelion paper I had cut out with my labels Nesties and layered onto some Sizzix card. The 'trick or treat' is also from Elzybells and the little star was from a pack of crafty goodies from Lidl.
If you are interested in swapping ATCs, please take a look at the Addicted to ATCs blog, we are a friendly bunch and always welcome new people.
I hope you are having a nice weekend.
Jane
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A new Design team and some fabulous dig stamps!

I have been waiting for today to be able to share some fabulous news I found out on Sunday. I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to be a part of Jane's Doodles Design Team!
Jane is such a talented artist and I have been a follower of her blog for ages! She has always made the most wonderful cards and extremely popular fimo buttons and she has just launched a new range of digi stamps available to buy from Squigglefly

I made the first card using the monster and monster which I printed so I could fit two on the front of the card. I just love these little monsters, they are so cute, just like my two little monsters! This card was perfect for them to give to their Dad for his Birthday Wednesday. I used Basic Grey and Making Memories papers then coloured the images with my Promarkers, adding glossy accents to the eyes. I got my sewing machine out to sew around all the layers to give some definition. I finished off the card with a stamped sentiment, kraft photo corners and a couple of buttons tied together with brown string.
I absolutely loved this Poinsettia when I saw it and couldn't wait to colour it in. I printed the image twice and coloured it with my Promarkers, I cut out the centre of the second image and added it to the first layer accenting the centre of the flower with stick on gems.
I matted and layered some Papermania paper on to the base card and added a sentiment stamped onto Nestie panels adding a couple more gems to finish it off.
Jane is announcing the DT today, so make sure you go and check out the rest of the Design Team's creations, you are sure to be inspired!
Click on the image below and it will take you to Jane's Blog and remember to check out Jane's images on Squigglefly.
Have a good Friday!
Jane
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What's on your Workdesk Wednesday

Another week has gone by and it is time for WOYWW again. This is a totally honest picture of my desk and it is incredibly messy. I am hanging my head in shame! This is the aftermath of a cardmaking session last night on top of a couple of other sessions with no tidying in between.




You can see various things on my desk and a few things are missing too. My tiered basket is still in a plastic box downstairs as I used it at the Fair on Sunday. The pink stripy box is where I keep all my bling and I used the football ribbon to make a card for Darren which is on the post previous to this. There is a DT card peeking out of a box and piles of papers I was going to use but were discarded as unsuitable and left in a mess on the side of the desk. Actually there is far too much on the desk to go through everything in detail so if you see something and are wondering what it is, just leave me a comment...
Before you do that however why not take a piccie of your desk to share with us by linking it up to the fabulous Julia's blog.
I love having a look around all your desks so don't be shy and share away!
Jane
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Football Birthday card

Just a quick post to upload a card I made tonight for my very patient Hubby, it is his Birthday tomorrow so I have been stuck to my Craft desk the whole evening making cards to give him from me and my kids.




I used a Papermania scallop card base, silver Papermania card, Making memories paper and resin football and ribbon from Hobbycraft. I picked up the stamp from Hobbycraft as well today in a lunchtime rush. I will upload the card I made from my kids later this week as it is a DT project too.
I have a day off work tomorrow and am going to try not to do ANYTHING crafty the whole day!

A totally FABULOUS day!

I apologise in advance as this post is probably going to be rather long! Today was the day of the Christmas fair at Crosfields school in Reading. It was my second year taking part. You can see photos of my stall last year here.

The first picture shows the whole of my stall. I was really pleased with how the stall looked as I managed to achieve the vision I had in my head for months. I used a Cream table cloth and a duvet cover and some bunting I won in a blog giveaway from the extremely talented Laura Clempson as a base for the stall and then added cream wire display shelves from BHS and a cupcake stand from Homebase. The baskets I used are mostly from Ikea.
Here is a closer view of my sign and a few other bits and bobs.
The snowman poo and reindeer poo were a great conversation starter and helped to keep people at the stall so they spent more time browsing. I definitely can reccomend having something free and a bit unusual to give away.
The red dotty bags were card kits I made up with enough supplies to make 6 cards. One of my kits will be going to China!

Here is my wonderful Mum who worked so hard all day with me and sold so much by enticing people with the 'poo'! She was such a star! My Dad kept popping in and out the whole day and was a great help unloading and loading the car and providing us with drinks to keep us going.

Here I am at the start of the day, looking a bit nervous! I had no need to as I sold about 3/4 of what I took with me. It was amazing and I had a wonderful surprise when Tammy who is one of my lovely followers came to visit my stall! It was so lovely to meet Tammy and I hope we can stay in touch as she is very local to me.
I feel very thankful tonight to have such lovely family and friends, my Hubby, Mum and Dad, Mum and Dad in law, my kids, my Friends and all my lovely Blogger Friends have all been rooting for me and have been so supportive. Your kind words and encouraging comments have helped me to achieve so much and I wish I could Thank you all personally!
After such an amazing day, I have even more good news this evening when I came home and checked my emails. I can't share it with you yet but I can't wait to tell you as I am so excited!!
If you are still reading....sorry this post has been so long! I am off to bed now.
Hope you had a lovely weekend.
Jane
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I'm ready!!!

The last card has been priced, the last label has been made up and the last box has been packed!



I can now relax for 12 hours until I have to leave for the Crosfields Fair. The last job for me to do was to make a sign for my stall. I used a Blackboard to which I mounted a panel of black card decorated with Sizzix, Papermania and Making Memories letters.
I would like to say a special Thank you to my dear Husband who has helped me cutting Nesties labels and sticking prices on cards this past couple of days as I would never have been ready now without him.
Fingers crossed all goes well tomorrow and it will have all been worth it!
Jane
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ATC Swappers November ATCs

I finally got around to making my ATCs for Paul's ATC swappers November swap. The theme was the 12 days of Christmas and you had to make a series of 12 ATCs. Here are all of mine together. Sorry the photo is a bit blurry!


I took iinspiration from some cards I made a few weeks ago using my Cuttlebug folder and an Elzybells stamp.
Here is a close-up of a couple of them. A couple got a bit smudged but I didn't have time to redo them but I don't think it is too noticeable.
I did lots more preparing for the Fair yesterday evening and just have a couple more things to finish off.
Am off to bed now as it is already Saturday and am suddenly feeling very tired!
Jane
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Easy Craft Projects Challenge Blog candy!

If you like the look of all this Candy read on to find out how you can be in with a chance to win it all!!

The candy is to celebrate the launch of the Easy Craft Projects Challenge blog of which I am honoured to be part of the Design Team.

You can enter by either...

• Becoming a follower of ECP: The Challenges

• adding the ECP Challenges blog blinkie to your own blog and leave a comment on the blog post with a link to it (adding the blinkie will enter you into the draw twice!).

You can choose both options - giving you 3 entries into the draw.

The prize includes Core'dinations Whitewash cardstock, cards & envelopes, scrapbook in a tin, quilting fat quarters, stamps, ink, glittered papers, ribbons, buttons, flowers, flock, rhinestones, eyelets, and lots more embellishments!

A name will be drawn at random and announced on the blog. The closing date for entry for the giveaway is 23.59 GMT on Wednesday 2nd December.

Our first challenge will be going live on Friday 4th December!

Can't wait!

Jane
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Reindeer poo and Snowman poo!

I have been even busier than usual the past few weeks getting bits and pieces ready to sell at the Crosfields Christmas Fair which is taking place on Sunday. I thought I would share some of the things I have made over the next few days. Hopefully you can get some ideas if you have any Fairs to take part in.

The first item is a box of Reindeer Poo, actually it is a box of Chocolate covered raisins...I used a Mirkwood designs template for the box and made it out of Kraft card. I then used an Elzybells stamp coloured with Promarkers which I cropped with my Nesties to made a label for the front of the box.

I added a little tag cut from Nesties with 'Reindeer Poo' on it which I had printed out on the PC. The box was filled with Chocolate covered raisins in a cellophane bag. The box was then tied close with a length of gingham ribbon.
The boxes took me quite a long time to put together so I decided to look for a quicker solution for my 'Snowman poo'. I cut A5 sheets of acetate in half, rolled them widthways and stapled them to make a tube.
I covered them with Cellophane tying one end like a cracker. I then filled the tubes with mini marshmallows and tied the other end with ribbon.
For the tags, I printed 'Snowman poo' on my PC and stamped a Stampendous snowman above it. I coloured him with Promarkers and then cropped into an oval with my Nesties which I then layered on to a scalloped Nesties oval. lots more Projects to share with you over the coming days so please check back before Sunday.
I hope all of you are safe in the terrible weather we are having and my thoughts are with all those affected by the floods in Cumbria.
Have a good Friday.
Jane
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I have

Susie's Sassy Challenge #2 - Pink and Sparkly

Here is my Design Team card for Susie's second Sassy Challenge. I can't believe the first Challenge is over. The two weeks just flew by. There were so many lovely entries and it was lovely to visit all the blogs of crafters who took part. A winner has been picked so check out Susie's blog now for details.
The theme set this fortnight is Pink and Sparkly. I don't usually use Pink a lot but I do like a bit of bling!
I took my inspiration for this card from some gorgeous die cuts I received from Susie in and a lovely Magnolia stamped image also from Susie.


As you can see , I only used pinks on this card and I really like the overall effect.



I coloured Tilda with my Promarkers and added Glossy accents to her boots, this changed the colour a bit so I am not 100% happy with her boots but I think they tie in quite nicely with the Felt flower.
I added gems to the flowers in the basket and also to the lovely Organza ribbon.
The backing papers I used are Bazzil Bling and DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies and the flowers are from various sources, I think some may have been free with a Magazine a while back. They are held together with an Imaginisce button brad. I love these brads, they look so effective and are so quick instead of sewing the buttons on.
Here is a close up of the flower, you can also see some of the stitching here. I decided to sew around the image and the edge of the card to try and tie all the pinks in together.
I will leave you now with a picture of the prize you could win if you take part in the Challenge, I hope you can join in so I can come and have a nosey around all your lovely blogs!


Look at all those lovely goodies! Hope to see you there!
Jane
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A punched star Christmas tree

This is my last DT project for Fiskarettes, I decided to make a card with no stamping for a change. This card is a lovely way to make use of your punches and is easy and quick to put together if you want to need to make lots.
You will need to punch out 15 green stars using your Fiskars Squeeze Star Punch and one pink one.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Punch out all the stars and cut a rectangle of card with your Fiskars Paper Trimmer to mount the stars onto. Punch a scalloped border on the bottom edge, using the Fiskars Scalloped Lace Border Punch.

2. Add the first line of stars to form the bottom of the tree. You will need five stars and will need to overlap them so they are joined together.
Continue building up the layers by adding one less star on each level until you get to the top of the tree.
3. Matt the tree topper onto a layer of pink card cut with the Paper trimmer.
4. Sew around the edge of the two layers. If you don’t have a sewing machine you could doodle fake stitching.
5. Cut another piece of patterned paper to fit the front of your chosen card blank. Using the Fiskars paper trimmer is invaluable when you are doing lots of matting and layering as it save so much time, the measuring and cutting is so quick and precise.
6. Add your stitched layers to the front of the card.
7. Sew a pink button onto your pink punched star and stick to the top of the tree with a foam pad.

8. Cut a pot shape from pink card and mount under the tree with foam pads.
9. Embellish the tree with pink gem baubles.
This tree can be made to look very different by changing the colour scheme to a more traditional one. You could try using different punches too, a circle punch would make a very modern tree!

Fiskarettes are looking for new DT members at the moment so please go and check out the DT call now. I had lots of fun working on the blog as part of the team for the past three months and can thoroughly recommend it.

Jane
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What's on your Workdesk Wednesday

It is Wednesday again and time for WOYWW, hosted by the lovely Julia. Here is my desk. It is tidy. Dad if you are reading this, you are right, I cheated and tidied my desk just before taking this photo. I was too ashamed to show the desk in it's raw state (partly beacause you couldn't really see the desk!) I was actually thinking I'm not going to participate in WOYWW this week but I just had to! I guess I am addicted to sharing!

There are lots of things lurking on the edges of the desk, a couple of DT cards, some stamps I am going to use for my next DT project for Easy Craft projects. A lovely little organza bag containing treasures from Susie's Die Cut Dreams shop ready to use on a project, the ATCS I have received so far for my ATC swap...
I actually have 2 work areas going at the moment. The photo below is my dining room table. I have been preparing for a Christmas Fair which takes place on Sunday so have been doing a bit of work on my larger table downstairs too. There are lots of things ready to sell in the big basket.
The sad thing is, I took these very early this morning and in the hour or so I was at home before I left for work, I have managed to mess both of them up even more by starting 2 new Projects! An empty desk is just irresistible to me, I just have to make a mess!
Why not show us your Workspaces and link them up to Julia's blog. I love having a nosey at what you have all been up to!

In other news, I am very happy to have accepted a position on the Design Team for the Easy Craft Projects Challenge blog.

Our first Challenge will start in the next couple of weeks so keep an eye on the blog for details of this and also a great giveaway!

Have a lovely Wednesday!
Jane
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Some more felt, a sneaky peek and a DT call

I was a busy bee last night with more preparations for the Fair on Sunday. I made up 8 Butterfly Brooch kits cut from felt. I wrote out full instructions with photos so that people can make their own and put a needle, pearl topped pin, brooch pin and a small bobbin of thread in each kit with the precut felt and button . I have packaged the kits with Nesties labels and I will try and post a piccie of the packs later this week when everything is ready to go.

My final Fiskarettes project is published tomorrow so here is a little sneak peek...



I seem to have gone very pink lately which is not really like me! I cannot believe my time as a Fiskarettes DT member is nearly over. I have had so much fun working with all the Fiskars products and being part of the team. Take a look at the Fiskarettes blog if you fancy taking part in the Design Team as a DT call was announced yesterday.
Thanks to all of you who sent 'Get Well Soon' wishes to Ryan, I kept him at home yesterday and will be until Thursday to give his foot a bit of a chance to heal. He was feeling more comfortable yesterday evening although his foot is turning some lovely shades of purple now!
Jane
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A felt cupcake and a very brave boy!

I had a bit of a mixed weekend. Thankfully Jack's football match was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch so I managed to avoid getting cold and muddy. I had a busy Saturday cleaning and crafting DT projects which I can't show you just yet, then I went out shopping with my Friend then we had a lovely Chinese and a couple of glasses of wine. It was very a great way to end the day and we had such a relaxing evening.

Here is a little Cupcake keyring made from felt I completed over the weekend. It is a prototype at the moment and I am not sure at this stage if I will make any more. It was quite fiddly and I am not very happy with the finished item. It looks a bit messy and I think if I make more I might hand stitch them instead of using the machine.

My Sunday was a bit of a disaster day. All was going well, I had put our casserole together and in the slow cooker and sorted out the house ready for my Parents to visit when Ryan's cross country was over. They were coming to watch him as it was his first race for Bracknell Athletic club and then...he stubbed his toe trying to get something off the puppy. With an hour to go before we had to leave, we checked it and checked again and it looked ok even though he said it was really painful, we put it down to pre-race nerves and we set off and he ran the race. He did so well and I am so proud of him.

He was still complaining of a lot of pain when he finished so we checked the toe again when we got home and it was all swollen and purple! 3 hours at the Minor Injuries clinic later and the toe is broken and strapped up. I am officially the worst Mother in the world making my Son run 3000 metres with a broken toe!
He is a lot more comfortable now and will not be able to do any athletics for 4 to 6 weeks. I just feel so guilty!
I hope your weekend was better than mine!
Jane
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Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

Another little Elzybells Christmas card to add to my stash of cards. I do have other Christmas stamps but I find myself coming back to the Elzybells ones every time I sit down to some stamping!




I used Papermania papers and Rymans red card. The image has been coloured with Promarkers and the sentiment is a Papermania Christmas stamp. The gem is from K+Co.
This stamp was from the latest Elzybells release and it's the first time I have inked it up.
Hope you are having a nice weekend!
Jane
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Elzybells Christmas candle

I have made a few Candles lately and I thought I would share this one with you and in case there is anyone out there who doesn't know how to transfer the stamped images to the candles, I thought I would give you step by step instructions.
I did not invent this technique, if only I was that clever, there are various different tutorials out there but here is the method in my own words.

You will need:
- Candle
- Tissue paper
- Greaseproof paper
- Stamp
- Pens or pencils to colour image
- Scissors
- Heat gun

1. Stamp your image on to one layer of tissue paper and colour in (I used Promarkers)
2. Cut around the image roughly. You can leave a border as this will not show when the candle is finished.
3. Lay the image nice and flat in position on the candle.
4. Wrap greaseproof paper over the image and hold tightly at the back of the candle.
5. Apply heat over the image until the top layer of wax has melted slightly and has absorbed the paper.
6. Remove the greaseproof paper. If the tissue paper hasn't completely melted into the candle repeat step 5.

A nice and easy way to embellish a candle. These are very quick and look very effective when wrapped in cellophane and tied with a lovely coordinating ribbon. A lovely inexpensive but pretty Christmas present.

Jane
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An alternative leaving card

One of my good Friends at work had her leaving drink yesterday lunchtime. She has worked at the Weather centre for about 27 years and is well known and loved by Everyone. We knew a lot of people would want to sign a leaving card for her so I set about trying to think how we could do things a bit differently...

I decided to make a 'Box of Good Wishes'. The box is made from 2 12x12 sheets of Papermania cardstock which were scored, folded and cut to make a square box. I then filled the box with sheets of card which were stamped with small images or embellished with stickers and then everyone filled in a card with their good wishes. I made dividers so that the box was easier to look through and we also put some old photos in the back of the box.
I decorated the box with Paperchase wrapping paper, a sizzix tag cut from some K+Co paper, Papermania and Making memories letter made up the greeting on the tag and some Prima flowers held together with an Imaginisce brad finished it off.
I made a wallet to hold some cheques as she had asked for any collection money to be donated to some Cancer charities. This was made by folding a sheet of A4 card and I added a ribbon tie to close the wallet. The same papers and flower were used to decorate the wallet.
This is the box 'in action', you can see the dividers inside the box a bit here. She was delighted with the box and I am hoping that if she feels nostalgic and misses work and her Friends she can just reach for the box and pull out a few cards to read and cheer her up!
I hope you are having a good week. I am glad it is Friday, even though I am facing a weekend of standing around in the rain! My youngest has a Football match Saturday and my eldest has a Cross Country meeting. I think I am going to get wet! I am off to buy wellies tonight. I got very muddy last Saturday and I am not going through that again :-)
Jane
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Some ATCS and an award to pass on...

I posted off my ATCs for the Magical Crafts swap yesterday. The swap is run by Hazel and this month's theme is Cats and Dogs so I used these very cute Jolly Nation die cut decoupage pussy cats. I have called the ATCs Odie and Tigger as they remind me of my Friend Fiona's cute little cats.

I have a small matter of an award to pass on which I received from the lovely Susie Sugar.



the award comes with a few with rules, which are:
Pass this award on to five people, post on their blog to let them know you left this award, and then answer a list of questions in ONE word.

1. Where is your cell phone? Handbag
2. Your hair? messy
3. Your mother? lovely
4. Your father? kind
5. Your favorite food? chocolate
6. Your dream last night? forgotten
7. Your favorite drink? wine
8. Your dream/goal? tidyness
9. What room are you in? bedroom
10. Your hobby? Craft
11. Your fear? loneliness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happy
13. Where were you last night? Bed
14. Something that you aren't? slim
15. Muffins? Chocolate
16. Wish list item? nothing
17. Where did you grow up? France
18. Last thing you did? slept
19. What are you wearing? Pyjamas
20. Your TV? Sky news
21. Your Pets? lively
22. Friends? Precious
23. Your life? hectic
24. Your mood? sleepy
25. Missing Someone? Darren
26. Vehicle? Ka
27. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
28. Your favorite store? Elzybells
29. Your favorite color? Brown
30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? unsure
32. Your best friend? Darren
33. One place that I go to over and over? Dorset
34. Facebook? No
35. Favorite place to eat? Pizza Express

I am passing this award on to Paul, Julia, Anne, Katie and Becky who all have fabulous blogs which I love to read.

Jane
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What's on your Workdesk Wednesday

There has not been much crafting going on the past couple of days on my desk so it is relatively tidy. I was not feeling too good Monday evening and had a splitting headache and sore eyes last night so crashed out as soon as I came home so the desk is in pretty much the same state since Sunday. You can see some new Nesties I received yesterday on the right hand side, still in their packets, no energy to take them out last night. Hubby knew I was feeling ill as I didn't even open them! There are also some gorgeous Die-cuts I received as a pressie from Susie, can't wait to have a play with them!

I know my desk is a bit boring today but why not show us yours? Upload a piccie to your blog and link it up to Julia's post on her blog to share with the world!

I received an award yesterday from my Sassy Designs boss Susie, it requires a bit of work before I can pass it on as there are loads of questions to answer so I hope to sort that out later.
Thanks so much Susie!
Anyway, better go and start the day, busy one ahead! Need to pop to town at lunchtime. I have already done a bit of shopping today. Lili of the Valley released their new stamps today. I was not lucky enough to go to the NEC to get some so I have been waiting for today, I was really pleased they were already there when I woke up so I ordered some already!
Have a nice Wednesday!
Jane
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Fab's Big Christmas Card Challenge

I made this card on Saturday and I am entering it into Fab's Big Christmas Card Challenge
Susie is Guest Designer for this Challenge and the theme this week is: Diva (whatever gives you the feel of being a Diva), hanging card and finally wavy frame. You can use all three, a combination of two, or just the one, up to you. You don't even have to follow the theme if you don't want to.
I coloured my Lili of the Valley Ted with Promarkers as they make me feel like a colouring Diva and also put Teddy in a way frame.
Susie has put a prize up for grabs for this Challenge of her fab die cuts so please come along and join in the fun!
Jane
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My Crafty Saturday with my Mum and some news

My Mum and Dad came over and spent the day with us on Saturday. In the morning we went to see my youngest play Football then we came home and got down to some serious crafting in preparation for the Fair I am taking part in on the 22nd of this month.

My Mum was a perfect student and put together this 2 cute Elzybells penguin cards in multiples of 4. I had stamped and coloured all the pieces so she put them together for me as well as the cards I had made on the previous 2 posts.
She did such an amazing job and put together 16 cards for me altogether while I worked on a series of teddy card which I will post later on as I also want to enter him into a challenge.

My Dad took these photos. This is us working away. You can see a pile of paper in the background in front of me. My Dad punched all these with my Bind-it-all and I have since made these into books.
My Mum has always been crafty but wool is usually her weapon of choice!

Here I am colouring away with my Promarkers and you can see how organised my Mum was, she even tidied as she went along. Put me to shame! We had a great day and achieved so much so I am so grateful to them for comng and helping me out. I can't wait until this Fair is over. It has been looming over me for months now!
I had some exciting news last week which I have been waiting to share with you. I meant to do it yesterday but I was exhausted and fell asleep really early.
I have been selected to be part of the Design team for the Easy Craft projects website. My first Project is due on the 1st of December. The website is a great place to go for Inspiration and tips and there are Project sheets to download with full instructions.
Click on the logo above to take a look. I apologise for how long this post has turned out to be.
Hope you are having a good week so far.
Jane
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