My Creative World

Moving

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:58:00 +0000

I've decided to import this blog into my HKS Designs blog. I will no longer be posting anything at this blog so please take a look at HKS Designs for all cardie and jewellery making posts from now on.

Thanks to everyone who has visited here - I think it just makes more sense to have all my creative stuff in one place. Please come see me at my new(er) blog.

Hugs to all
H x

I'm all packed ...

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sun, 09 May 2010 20:33:00 +0000

... and ready to go back to Cayman. But this time I have my card making things with me!!! Yay!!! I can't wait to get started making some cards again. Ooooh it's been ages since I have and I really miss it. I've started looking at blogs again and will hopefully be doing some challenges too. Cannot wait I tell you. :)

It's been hard though trying to get everything I want to take with me packed into my suitcases. I've had to whittle down some of my stash and repack things so that they will all fit. I've also had to replace some things that went missing while I've been away too. I left a few boxes of stuff in my mom's office in her hotel and when I came back some of the boxes had been rifled through. At first I thought it was just my Copics (of all the things to lose!) but it turns out there is more. A bunch of stamps have gone, all my glitter glue, acrylic blocks and a couple of punches. Cannot believe it. It's like someone (and I have a very good idea of who that someone is!) has decided they'd like to start crafting too and instead of going out and building their own stash they just took part of mine. As if I wasn't going to miss these things being taken? Especially the bloody Copics! So since I've got back I've had to try and replace what I can (although the funds have been very low).

Anyhoo I just thought I would post a quick little hello on here to say that I will be starting again and hopefully those of you who are followers will come back again to see what I come up with. I can't wait to get into my new place and get my crafty table set up. Then I can come home after a good days diving and can play with my stash ... oooh it sounds like a great plan. Roll on next week :)

Hugs

H x

Hello

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:19:00 +0000

... peeps I'm back in the UK, albeit briefly (well depending on that blinkin' ash cloud!). I've come back to sort out my storage unit full of stuff and get most of it sold. I've also got a lot of crafty stuff in there that I've been sorting through and have some of those items for sale too. I figured it would be a good idea to maybe post some of them on here as you lovely crafty gals may be interested.

All items do not include postage costs so these need to be added on. Let me know what items you want and where they are going and I will let you know postage. You can pay via paypal if you like but I'd prefer it you sent it via bank transfer or bankers draft/postal order to be honest. :)

Dovecraft tin of craft tools including mini hammer, tweezers, tool for eyelet setting and another for creating holes with 3 various size punch bits, 2 needles, some round nose pliers and a pokey hole creator (forgotten the name of that tool right now!). £10

2 brass stencils of the alphabet - capitals and lower case. Includes numbers too, never used £2 for both

3 small punches - one pink/red with a flower shape, one purple with a row of stars and the other blue with a bow shape. £1 each

A pack of Dovecraft peel-off markers with dual tips includes black, red, blue, green, purple, yellow - never used £3.
2 sets of Christmas mini stamps - bottom set never used, top set only one used £1.50 for both
Set of 32 clear stamps - celebrations £1 (most never used)
2 packs of wedding card toppers - £1 for both
3 packs of card toppers for baby cards £1 for all 3
High Hopes stamps with cling foam attached - monkey, rhino and sentiment "I love you THIS much" £3 each animal £1 for sentiment
See D's set of Thank You stamps - 15 in total, on purple cling rubber £2.50
See D's set of 23 connectors - purple cling rubber £2
Set of 23 clear rubber stamps - tags and sentiments £1 never used
Selections pendant necklace kit - never opened £5

Stazon ink pad in Timber Brown - used once! £2

A pack of 6 coloured metallic tape/sticky ribbon £1

2 packs of clear stamps - never used - £1 for both
2 packs celebration/good luck card toppers - £1 for both
Set of 41 purple cling rubber stamps - Tropical Collection £2

Set of 34 purple cling rubber stamps - Springtime Collection £2

Box of craft scraps - includes some images, decoupage, patterned card, rub ons, stickers, punch out corners £1 for the box!
A full set of 30 See D's ink pads - 16 are still sealed. In the box and it also includes a mini stamp set in the bottom of the holder with the alphabet and an acrylic block. Cost £20, have it for £10

3 pairs of Fiskars craft scissors with various edge shapes £1 each pair

A full set of Whispers markers in a holder with 2 blender pens - £8 SOLD

3 sets of metallic card toppers, 2 of each card £1 for all

I also have a large selection of card making magazines (some still sealed - £1 each) some including free papers 50p each, A5 card blanks with envelopes £1, zig zag card blanks with envelopes £1, a shirt card template £1, a set of 12 Berol fine markers £2.50, a Mimi organiser tote £4, a box set of 8 deluxe metallic gel pens £2 and a set of 18 watercolour paints in a tin £2. I will try to add photos of these asap.

I may be adding more items soon as I work through all my craft goodies. Also on a sad/annoyed note, I have lost my Copic set of 36 pens as well as a bunch of runner stamps from High Hopes and Magnolia. I am absolutely gutted and have a feeling that they have been stolen from my mom's office where everything was being stored. There is a possibility that perhaps they are buried somewhere in my storage unit but before I left for Grand Cayman they were the things I wanted with me the most and so I'm sure I put them in a box to be mailed to me. The box never got sent so technically it should still be here.

Anyways, hope everyone is well and crafting away

Hugs

H xx

Just some news...

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:45:00 +0000

So I've moved to the Caymans and am getting myself settled in. I'm hoping to get my card making stuff sent out here fairly soon but in the meantime if any of you out there are still following me then you're welcome to take a look at my other blog - mylifebyheather

It's basically a day to day sort of account of what I'm getting up to for anyone who's interested, particularly anyone who enjoys diving. Anyway it would be great to see some of you from this blog stop by over there.

Hope everyone is busy with Christmas cards and all that good stuff. Can't wait to get my gear here to get playing! :)
Hugs
H x

It's Been a While...

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:17:00 +0000

...since I last posted on here, mostly because I've been so busy I haven't made many (if any) cards lately. However I have been making some jewellery and other bits and pieces, and have since set up a little online shop - HKS Designs - please go take a look see at it and also my other blog - HKS Designs - for more info!
I'll be moving to the Cayman Islands soon to start a new job as a PADI scuba instructor (my dream for a long time!) and am hoping to ship out my card making stuff once I'm settled. Perhaps I'll be able to start posting again on here sooner or later.
I hope everyone is well. I still try to visit all your blogs when I can and love to see everything you talented peeps come up with. There have been some beautiful cards out there and I am desperate to go crafty shopping again. :) Teehee
Big Hugs to y'all
Heather

Bye For Now

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Hey peeps! Only a few days left until I leave for the British Virgin Islands. I can't wait to get there - soooo looking forward to some sunshine, if nothing else. :) All my things are packed up and in storage - I just took my craft things there today. I don't why I brought them all to where I'm currently staying. I suppose I thought I'd get a chance to do something with it all, but no such luck. And boy is my stuff heavy - paper really does weigh an awful lot when you're huffing a box full! Heheh. And punches! Sheesh, nearly put my back out loading the car.
Anyway for those that don't know you can follow what I'll be getting up to (pending sufficient internet access!!) at my other blog - My BVI Adventure. I hope to see some of you there while I'm away. This will definitely be my last post on this blog until my return. Obviously my short spell there will fly by but fingers crossed there will be some exciting news along the lines of returning there to continue training or with a job offer or perhaps heading somewhere else with the same choices! We shall see what the universe throws in my direction.
Big love to all of you for visiting me this past year and maybe I shall see you all at the other blog soon. I want to keep visiting you while I'm away but it may be difficult. Please know you'll be in my thoughts
Hugs

Candies!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:28:00 +0000

There are some yummy candies out there - why not take a look-see!?
Lacey now closed
Bev
Steph closed
Rach closed
Sarah Jane closed

New Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:48:00 +0000

This is possibly going to be my last post for a while with creative goings-on. I move out of my apartment on Monday 16th and have spent the last month gradually packing up my life. I've tried leaving my craft stuff to the last possible minute but as I have to take down my table I've had to start putting everything in boxes. Boooo!! I've already packed away my sewing machine and so the photos above are of the last thing I've made with it.
The bag itself is a larger version of the previous tote I made. I'm not sure of the name or make of the fabric but I got it from Marsh Mill Needlecraft. I bought some more thread to match and in retrospect it was stupid to get the one I did. I usually get Guterman but this time went for a cheap version and somewhat regret it now as it started to pucker while sewing. I'm not entirely happy with the puckering but at least it seemed to do it in the corners so it maybe looks like it was supposed to be like that. (at least that's what I'm telling myself!) The other thing I'm not too happy about is the length of the handles. They are very long but at least they fit over my big winter coat. Perhaps in the summer when I'm wearing less I'll be able to cross it over my body? I made it reversible and so added a pocket to both sides. The one on the white side I've also sewn down the middle to make it two pockets, specifically measuring it so my phone would fit.
Anyway let me know what you think of it. Hopefully I'll be able to get a couple of cards made before I go, especially as I have some new stamps from my trip to Manchester and a couple of new Elzybell's.
Hugs

I'm in Elzybell's Showcase Sunday! And Cuteness Galore

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:38:00 +0000

Wow! I can't believe it! I sent a card to Elizabeth featuring one of her stamps from Elzybell's and she has chosen to feature it in the Showcase Sunday on her blog. Yay!! I'm so pleased.

On a completely separate note altogether (in that it has nothing to do with card making) I wanted to post a photo I saw the other day. I was sent a link on Facebook to this picture but I now can't find said link, so I'm posting the pic for all to see and revel in it's absolutely adorable-ness. Enjoy

This little guy was seen seeking some shade in Melbourne (I think) after a baking hot afternoon saw temps rise past 40 degrees C! Phew. Of course the little fluff-ball was thirsty (see below) but then obviously thought stuff this I need to COOL DOWN!!

Just look at that little tongue! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! I want me a koala!! :)

Hugs

New Stash & A Visit

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:33:00 +0000

Hey y'all! I have some new stash to play with and I can't wait to get them inky. I ordered some stamps from Dies to Die For and the sweetheart Tracey also included some Nestie's cut outs. I've got two new High Hopes stamps and the CC Designs set Bear Hugs. I've also just ordered a couple of flower-y stamps from Elzybell's so hopefully they will be here before the weekend.

I'm taking a little trip to Manchester tomorrow for the Stitch and Creative Crafts show. I hope it's good. I've never been to this one before so fingers crossed I can add some good things to my ever-growing stash. (Is that not how it is with everyone? Please tell me yes, even in this dire economy!) I've been hankering after some punches too lately and am gradually getting there. I'd love one of the Martha Stewart punches so maybe, just maybe one of the exhibitor's will have some. Although they do seem to be sold out everywhere I've looked online. But I haven't tried ebay yet, so you never know?!

Anyway I'm hoping to have a couple of cards to show later tonight but if not it will be over the weekend. And maybe I could also give you a quick run down of the show. I haven't booked myself into any of the classes or workshops - I'd rather just mooch about (read fight my way through!!) the stands and see what goodies I can find.

Alrighty, hope you've had a good week and have something nice planned for this weekend.

Hugs

Papertake Weekly Hearts & Flowers AND High Hopes Challenge 16

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:29:00 +0000

I'm entering this card for the Papertake Weekly challenge (which is to use hearts and/or flowers on your card) and the High Hopes challenge 16 (to use lace in some form - ribbon, punches, whatever you have that is lacy!).

The image is Frances Owl from High Hopes and is coloured with my Copic Ciao's (as pictured below). I've added some Stardust Stickles to the flowers although not too sure if you can see it on the pic. I used an X-cut corner punch for the lacy effect and have layered the image on some brown paper from stash. The pattern paper is from Making Memories Cosmopolitan collection and is also layered on the same brown paper. The swirly stamp on the left side is from Papermania using Whisper's Pink. The sentiment is also from High Hopes and is stamped with Whisper's Chestnut. The pink card it's stamped on and the punched heart and flowers paper is from stash. (Don't know the name of the punch makes, sorry) I've added a little bling heart too just to finish it off. I've used last week's sketch from Papertake Weekly for this card.

Let me know what you think with lots of lovely comments :)
hugs

Friday Sketchers 37 Take 2!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:56:00 +0000

Ok, so I thought I would make a second card for this challenge as I wasn't entirely happy with the first. I have deviated very slightly from the sketch so I hope it still counts. :)

I've used a soft pink A4 piece of cardstock scored to make a tent fold A5 card. The papers are Basic Grey Two Scoops and the layer under the image is SU Old Olive cut with Nestie's scalloped rectangle. The image is from Elzybell's and is coloured with Copic Ciao's (pictured below). I've added some Stickles to the falling hearts and also to the girl's cheeks but you can't really see it too well. I also added some to the pink flower. The bottom flower is Bazzill Wings and the other 2 are from Prima's Bitty Bag and all are attached with a Basic Grey brad. All the ribbon layers are from stash. The pink is actually snaffled from an old card I received! Finally I've added a couple of pink bling gems. I haven't attached a sentiment yet as I don't know who it may be for. I suppose it could be a Valentine card with the hearts but it's awfully girly (especially with the cupid's on the pattern paper!) so it's not like I could give it to some guy. :)

Anyway let me know what you think with lots of lovely comments. :)
Hugs

Friday Sketchers 37

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:43:00 +0000

This is my entry for the Friday Sketchers Challenge 37. I really like the sketch used this week and can see myself using it again soon but I'm not too sure how I feel about this card. Maybe it'll grow on me?

As usual its a pre-scored 6x6 white cardbase. The paper is SEI Smarty, the stripe is called Jump Rope and the spotty is the rear of Marbles. The green ribbon is from stash and the two buttons are from My Minds Eye Just Dreamy pack. Again I don't know the name of the Penny Black image but he is watercoloured, except for the rose which is Copic Ciao R27. He's such a cutie pie. The image is layered onto SU Old Olive and cut with the Nestie's scalloped rectangle on my Cuttlebug.

I haven't added a sentiment yet as I'm really not sure what to use this card for. I think what I'm not loving about this card is the paper - it's difficult to match with my Copics (and I can't afford to buy anymore right now - Copics that is). I still have a couple sheets left though so I'm going to have to use it up somehow - unless I maybe put it into a blog candy or something? Hmmm...that might be an idea. I also haven't added any other bling or flowers or what not because again I was trying to maybe go for a manly card, but I think the image I chose is probably not right for a guy! I think also that maybe the image is too small for the size of the card, oooh I dunno, I'll sleep on it and decide in the morning if I like it.

Anyway let me know what you think with lots of lovely comments. :)

Hugs

Sketch Saturday 35

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:19:00 +0000

I hope I get this in in time - I'm cutting it awfully close!!

This is a standard white 6x6 pre-scored card base with a light blue layer from stash. Not sure of the name of the Penny Black stamp but he's such a cutie. He's coloured with Copic Ciao's numbers E33 - fur, E47 - cake, E51 - frosting, Y02 - candle flames, B32 - hat, candles. He has some crystal Stickles on the hat and for the wet look nose some Glossy Accents by Ranger. He's layered on some brown paper from stash. The dotty paper is by Making Memories Cosmopolitan collection and is cut with a Fiskar's Kidzors set of scissors (I think it may be called Hippo??). The brown ric-rac is by Papermania, the brown stars were cut with a Cuttlebug die (came in a 4 pack but don't remember the name) and I've added some more Stickles to the sentiment one and a couple of dewdrops to the other two. The happy birthday sentiment is from Elzybell's Everyday Greetings set. The sentiment is cut with a 1" round punch and raised on a foam dot.

i haven't decorated the inside but think I may do. I was aiming to make this card for a guy as I don't have many cards that are suitably mannish! :) Hope you like it. Please leave me lots of lovely comments. :)

Hugs

I've Been Tagged!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:41:00 +0000

I was tagged last week by Jenny and this is the first chance I've had to look for the required pic! The instructions are to go to where you keep your photos on your PC, choose the 6th folder, then the 6th picture.....post on your blog and explain.

This photo is from when I was working as a holiday rep for Virgin Sun (now defunct) and the other girls are some of my team. We were based in Corfu and this was taken in Corfu Town in the summer of 1999. Very memorable few months :)

I think most people I know have already been tagged but if you haven't then go ahead and consider yourself TAGGED!!

Hugs

Penny Black Saturday 33

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:10:00 +0000

This is my entry for the Penny Black Saturday challenge number 33 - "Frame It" - where you have to use a frame somewhere on your card.

I've used a pre-scored 6x6 red card base that I got in a pack mixed with green cards too and added some Bo Bunny pattern paper, Shabby Princess collection. The check is the reverse of the dotty side called Ella Dot. Red ribbon is from stash and I wrapped a small piece around the centre strip and attached it with a brad so it was something different from a bow or knot. The green and yellow "frames" are cut using my scallop circle nesties and the paper itself is by Papermania. They are attached using foam dots for a bit of dimension. I don't know the name of the image but he's in my Critter Party clear stamps from PB. I coloured him ages ago using some ink pads and a watercolour brush. I'm going to add some crystal Stickles I think for a bit of glitter on the rose. I've added some Glossy Accents to his nose for that shiny wet look. The flowers are Prima's from the Bitty Bag attached using glue dots with a shiny red heart bit of bling. I've added another tag for the sentiment (from Elzybell's Everyday Greetings set) using my SU tag punch and attached it with a red brad. I've stuck another red heart to the top.

I've also decorated the inside of the card a little by adding some punched flowers and another red heart. The stamp is from my new Papermania pack of clear stamps called Floral using black Stazon. Oh yeah, the layout of the card is CASE'd from Pauline's PBSC DT card this week - great layout, think I'm gonna use it again and again. I love the papers she's used too!

I hope you like-y. Please leave me lots of lovely comments. Hopefully i'll be back tomorrow with another card - oooh I'm getting a bit of a roll on. :)
Hugs

Sketch Saturday 34 & Penny Black Saturday 32

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:52:00 +0000

Wow, two posts in as many days - gosh I'm on a roll!! This card is a double entry for both Sketch Saturday 34 and the Penny Black Saturday Challenge 32 "Let's Get Dotty." Woohoo. Sorry for the naff photo - light here is shockingly bad, even during the day!!

As I had a lot of my things still out from yesterday's card a lot of the details are the same - card base, SU Pumpkin Pie layer, SU Not Quite Navy layer (run thru the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder - even more dots!!) punched with Fiskars Threading Water. The dotty pattern paper is the same as before - Papermania For Him. The image is obviously PB but I don't know the name of it because I bought a bunch of images from eBay and this was one of them. If you know cutie kitty's name then please let me know! Ta. And there are dots on his hat! Hehe!
Anyway he is coloured with Copic Ciao's E33 for his fur with some E35 for shadow, YV42 for his cheeks and ears, B32, B39 and YR04 round out the rest. There is some crystal Stickles on the balloons and also on the Prima Bitty Bag flowers. Used a Basic Grey two scoops brad to attach them and some dotty pale blue ribbon from stash. Oh yeah the image was cut out with circle Nesties and the pale blue paper is from stash cut with the scallop circle Nesties. Both the largest of the large set!
Think that is it. Hope you like-y. Please leave me lots of lovely comments :)
Big hugs

High Hopes Challenge 14 using Sketch Saturday 33

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:15:00 +0000

Hi there! It's been sooooo long since I last made a card it took me ages to get this one made up - probably about an hour, most of which I think was spent matching up papers!! Sheesh! Anyway I hope you like it. I'm entering it in High Hopes challenge 14 "Dude" (card is for a guy and no flowers allowed!!) and I have used the sketch from last weeks Sketch Saturday challenge 33 (I know I'm too late to enter it there, but I liked the sketch so what the heck!).

The stamp used is Party Cat by HH, coloured with Copic Ciao's B32, B39, YR04, YV42 and E33. I used a square Nestability to cut it out and also my craft knife for the balloons which are raised with a foam dot. I roughed up the edge though to make it a bit more "manly." LOL I've added a little bit of bling with the star and a glittery brad holding down the tag (made with my SU punch - first time I've used it!!! Thanks Jenny) and also as a highlight on the balloons with a Gellyroll - can't really see it in the pic. Card base is a standard white 6x6 pre-scored, layered with SU Not Quite Navy, SU Pumpkin Pie (ran thru the Cuttlebug with the Mosaic embossing folder) and the pattern paper is from the Papermania For Him 8x8 pad (last year). The sentiment on the tag is from Elzybell's Everyday Greeetings set using Whispers Starry Starry Night ink. I've also decorated the inside of the card with the little scraps from the mosaic and dots papers (no pic though sorry).

Hope you like it. As always comments are welcome :)
Hugs

Candy!!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:26:00 +0000

There's some lovely candy out there right now. Why not take a look-see?
Donna
Kim
Rach
Emma
Hugs

New Year...New Projects!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Happy New Year to you all. Hope you had a lovely christmas and new year celebration. Me - I was working the whole time so now is the first chance I've had to blog or properly visit your blogs. I have a couple of days with shorter hours and then there are more people arriving this weekend so not much rest!
My sort-of grandma visited over the New Year and she got me some knitting needles and some fuzzy wool one day while out shopping. As I've been browsing through various blogs I've come across lots dedicated to not only the wonderful card-making that we do but sewing, knitting and so on. My blog reader is getting loaded down with all these fabby new things to read! I've been hankering after building up some new skills and sewing and knitting are part of those. As you can see from my previous long post I've been doing a wee bit of sewing and so the knitting had to start somewhere. My mom said she had a bunch of needles hidden away somewhere and they were soon found and commandeered! All I needed then was some wool to get going. One of the guests in the hotel had a wee bit in her bag that she's been trying to find a match for, so she let me play with that for a while. She also showed me how to cast on as I didn't know how to do that (even though I'd seen some videos online about it - they were different though to how she showed me!). Thanks Lily!! So when Annie (my s-o-g) got me some more wool I set about knitting myself a scarf. I'm not following any pattern - I've just cast on 30 stitches and am gonna keep going until it gets to the length I want it then cast off! I'm through one ball of wool already and am gradually picking up some speed. I'll try to post a photo tomorrow (EDIT - DONE!!) of what I've done so far as the lighting right now is well, non-existent!
My first few rows!
I'm into my second ball of wool now!
My card table and sewing machine have barely seen me these past few weeks due to work so I'm missing them quite badly. I can see however that they may end up missing me for a while longer as I am soon going to have to start packing up my things. Regular readers will know that my (now ex) partner and I were planning on going abroad at the end of January. Well when the lying, cheating scumbag left it seemed the plans were also not going to work out. I've done a bit of research and am now booked to go to the British Virgin Islands (in the Caribbean - take a look at some of the pics on the site - WOW!!) for a month starting March 1. I'll be working for a company called Sail Caribbean Divers based in Tortola as a dive intern. Basically I'll be learning about how the dive store operates, leading some dives, using the boats and so on. I can't wait to get over there, not least for the sunshine and a change of scenery. I'm going to use this month away to decide whether scuba instructing is definitely the life I want as no matter how appealing it may be in my dreams and wishes, the reality of it could be a whole lot different. So come the end of March I'll know one way or the other.
I was going to keep my apartment for the month I'm away but have decided there's no point. If I don't go ahead with the dive thing after March then whatever I do end up doing is likely to be elsewhere than Blackpool anyway. And if for some reason it isn't, this place has too many memories of the relationship for me stay here. Also my bills every month are not cheap and it is a big chunk cheaper for me to just put all my things in storage for a spell. Hence me needing to start packing some things up! I do want to try and leave my crafty stuff to the last possible minute so fingers crossed there will be some posts of thing made coming soon.
Anyhoo, hope y'all are well. Big hugs

Merry Christmas & Happy 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:14:00 +0000

Hey! Have a lovely christmas and new year everyone. Am really busy at work for the whole duration so may not blog til 2009. Still going to try to visit your blogs though in the meantime if you've posted.
Hugs to all

Bad Blogger!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:28:00 +0000

I've been such a bad blogger lately, I haven't posted in ages although I have been good about reading your new posts. I haven't made a card since my previous post but I have been busy with some new crafting projects. I've been getting quite hooked on Etsy and have even bought myself a little bag from Island Girl Bags. Lovely isn't it?

(Well it would be if blogger would let me upload the pics!! EDIT - DONE!!)

I've also tried my hand at some sewing projects of my own, after being inspired by the many wonderful things on Etsy and some other crafty/sewing blogs I've been finding. This is a mobile phone cover. I've been using the one on the left for my iPhone and the other 2 will fit the same size phone (the yellow one even a little bigger). I'm quite pleased with how they turned out and will post the link to the tutorial as soon as I can find it again. EDIT - DEAR GOD THIS HAS TAKEN ME ALL DAY TO FIND!! PETCHY'S NANO COVER. I've made some changes in that I didn't include a hole for the earphones and the size is different (I just eyeballed it against my iPhone!) but essentially it's the same. :) Thanks Petchy!

I've made myself a little bag too (pic posted when Blogger lets me! EDIT - DONE, SEE BELOW) and I'm really pleased with it. I followed the tutorial from JCHandmade for her Kidlet hanging tidy tote, but have added an extra handle to make it a proper bag and changed the dimensions so it is longer. I found the tutorial quite easy but when it came to doing the handles I got a bit muddled and they ended up being in the wrong place. So I ended up sewing them straight onto the lining of the bag (after some major unpicking and finagling<-- that's a technical term!!LOL). Next time I make one I should be OK! (I hope! hehe)

I've also done a couple more earrings and bag charms and again will post pics when blogger stops being arse-y. (EDIT - DONE!) All findings and most beads come from Beads Unlimited, some other beads (mainly the gold/brown/cream ones) come from JillyBeads and the glass butterflies come from my LCS - hurrah!! They do have some different colours too (I have a pack of blue to use on something soon, so keep your eye out for pics!).

Hope you're all ready for Christmas and New Year. I'm all set (see my other blog).
Hugs

CCT39 - Hearts & PTW Recipe & High Hopes 11- Flower Power

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:50:00 +0000

I made this card on Saturday morning for my friends birthday. I'd coloured the image a while ago after finding the patterned paper in my LCS and was just waiting to put it all together. I ordered some Stampin' Up cs from my SBS18 galpal Jenny and hadn't used any of it until I came to try and match up the cs to mat the image. I was so pleased to find that it matched and pretty much perfectly - YAY!! I'm so pleased when that happens as it seems to not work out more often for me :)
So the cardbase is SU Cameo Coral and the image is matted on SU Old Olive (which is also the leaf - made using a large punch I got at the NEC show). The image is Party Cat from High Hopes and coloured with Copic Ciaos no's E33, Y02, G21 and RV42. I distressed the edges of the image and its mat with the edge of my scissors as I don't have a distressing tool. Think it looks ok. Unfortunately I don't have the name or make of any of the pattern paper but I just love it. I've used a sketch by Amy Rysavy from a card she did ages ago and flipped it and added a few of my own little twitches. The flowers are Prima and Bazzill Wings and the buttons are from My Minds Eye - all attached with glue dots. The tag is stamped with a CCDesigns sentiment from the "It's my Birthday" set in Bamboo by Versacolor and attached with a Basic Grey brad. I also stamped the inside with Happy Birthday from the same set in the same colour (no pic). I added some gold glitter to the bow on the present and used my white gel pen on the balloons and the cats cheeks. The 3 glass baubles (I forget what they are called!! - EDIT DEW DROPS!! THANKS DEENA HEHEH) in the corner are from my SBS18 sister Deena (thanks hun) and the yellow ribbon is from stash.
I'm entering this in the CCT challenge which is to include hearts on your card. I have a heart button at the top and also if you look closely the butterfly wings on the pattern paper have hearts in them!
I'm also entering it in the Papertake Weekly challenge which is to use 1 ribbon, 2 rectangles and 3 small, round embellies. I've got my gems in the corner, the ribbon and the layout has 2 rectangles in it, so YAY it fits!!
It also fits in with the High Hopes challenge 11 - Flower Power - to use flowers somewhere on the card, and as Party Cat is a HH stamp thats even better! :)
Let me know what you think by leaving a comment. I'd love to hear from you. Are you ready for Christmas yet? I think I'm pretty much all set. Hurrah!!
Hugs

Christmas Card for my Mom and some More Jewellery

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:26:00 +0000

I made this 6x6 card for my Mom and stepdad for Christmas. Today is the first day I've had a chance to upload it and actually have some time to write about it. Things seem to have been crazy busy at work lately and by the time I get home I don't want to do much. Although I did rejoin the gym last week so I've been forcing myself to get in there at least 2 or 3 times a week for a swim. (Speaking of which I was chatted up in the jacuzzi a few days ago by some guy who said he thought I looked about 22! Now I'm pretty sure he just wanted to get into my bikini but it sure made me feel a heck of a lot better, especially as I'm 35!!! :) heheh). Anyway onto the card...I stamped the tree image (my new one from the NEC show) onto watercolour paper and used Copics to colour them. They were cut out and popped up with foam dots on top of the Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossed paper. I added a little Stickles to the stars on top for good measure. Got to have some bling on there somewhere!! I also ran a couple of score lines down each side of the embossed paper just to finish it off a little. The pattern paper is from last years Dovecraft 6x6 Ho Ho Ho pack which I still have loads of. The cardbase is pre-scored and came in a pack of 50 mixed with green (also on special from the NEC). The ribbon is from stash and the snowflakes in each corner are from my new punches. The green flower is from a CB die 4 pack that I don't remember the name of. I used some brads from stash and the tag is from a pack of mixed christmas greeting tags (they come in pearlised white, gold, red and green with gold or silver writing) by Card Art (don't remember where I got them). I decided to decorate the inside of this card a little with a seasons greetings stamp in silver and a couple more snowflakes. All the snowflakes were punched out on glitter card although I don't think you can tell from the photo? Anyhoo let me know what you think of this. I made this just for fun and haven't followed a sketch or other challenge but if I find one it may fit into then, heck I'll enter it! :) Oh yes I almost forgot ... the wire is attached to the back of the brad and I curled it around a pen to get the swirly shape. Just used some wire I've had sitting in my desk for over a year and never got any use out of! Think it looks quite cool if I say so myself. Heheh.

I've also been quite busy with making more jewellery. I've done a few more handbag charms (there are 3 others that are similar in style to the purple one) and another one with white/clear beads more like the pink one. These earrings have Swarovski crystal rondelles in them and I have a few other colours in a similar style (blue, yellow and green I think). I'll be making some more charms soon as I just had a delivery of beads and findings this past week and am hoping to branch out to necklaces and bracelets soon. I have a bunch more pics of other earrings I've done but some of them are a bit fuzzy due to the terrible light and the fact that when I leave home for work and by the time I get back it is dark! :( Anyway if you are interested in buying any of these pieces or would like me to make something specific I'll certainly do what I can for you. Let me know what you'd like and we can go from there. I'm thinking of opening an Etsy shop but am a bit disappointed that it only operates in dollars. Especially when the exchange rate is so bad at the mo. Ah well. Hope you're having a good week so far...nearly the weekend and that means a birthday party for my friend. Yay, should be fun.
Hugs

I've Been Tagged!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:24:00 +0000

Lulu has tagged me and now I must list 7 random/weird facts about me - eeek!!

The rules are:
1: Link to the person who tagged you and then post the rules on your blog.
2: Share 7 weird or random facts about yourself.
3: Tag 7 random people on your post and link to their blogs.
4: Let everyone know that they have been tagged.

1. I was a National Champion cheerleader for most of my teens. Now this is fair enough if you're American but being British this is somewhat strange as cheering here isn't massive (although its a helluva lot bigger now than it was when I was active!!) I am now an international level judge for competitions and just this past weekend have been working at an event. I also hold coaching/instructional sessions for teams/individuals who want me to come in and help them improve specifics in their routines (mainly stunts and gymnastics but I'll work on anything.) or to even make up the routine for them.
2. I'm a real gadget girl - I love them. I don't have to have the newest and best thing going but I really love playing with them (and having a feel in the shop). As technology improves I've managed to streamline my gadgets but I used to have a mobile, palm, mp3 player all tucked away in my bag, as well as a camera if I thought I'd need it. Now I have an iPhone and I'm pretty much all set (although I haven't been able to part with my iPods as they hold more than the few GB's on the phone but I'm not carrying them around with me...well, as much as I used to). However I do want to get a groovy SLR camera and have been drooling for one for a long time now.
3. I can be really anal about stuff. Things like putting something back where you found it and keeping things organised and so on. (I don't go so far as to alphabetise my DVD's but they have their place.) I'm particularly anal about bad spelling - ooooooh it really gets to me. I especially don't like it when I'm reading someone's job application - they will automatically go in the reject pile. If that's how they sell themself then they won't do well selling the company and I don't want to have to check someone's work, otherwise I may as well do it myself!!
4. I've lived in one place my whole life. Although I have done a fair bit of travelling/backpacking and therefore spent a fair bit of time out of Blackpool I've never technically lived anywhere else. The other places I've spent more than 3 months in are - Williamstown MA (for a summer internship program), Corfu (when I worked as a holiday rep), New York City (Upper East Side, baby!), Sydney Australia and Madawaska ME (on a high school exchange). I'd love to live in Hawaii or the Caribbean - somewhere warm ideally, as I really don't like being cold. If I could live my days in shorts and flip flops I'd be happy.
5. I am a massive movie buff. When I was younger I wanted to work in the film industry (I still would love to do this!) and was heading down that path until my parents got divorced and my US college plans were dashed. So I decided to study performing arts and literature here instead. I was such the buff that I could recite practically any little factoid you could care to ask me about a movie!! (not sure I could still do it though!) I love slipping into that other world they create and I think it would be fabulous to review movies for a living. However I do think it has gotten astronomical in cost to actually visit the cinema so I'm not there as often as I would like to be.
6. I hate running and always have. Practically any other activity I'm fine with but running is most definitely not my bag!! And I'm happy to try pretty much anything... in fact leave me a comment with some random activities and I'll tell you if I've done it! :)
7. I really can't think of a 7th thing and I've been sitting on this post for weeks.

I'm going to tag - RibenaRuby, Deena, Donna, Bridgett, Hunnybunny, Tabby and anyone else who cares to give it a go. You've probably already done this tagging thing but if not and you do decide to answer the qu's leave me a comment with your link so I can go read it!

Hugs