Blue Christmas at City Crafters

Hello and Good Morning to you all ... I'ts a cold wintery morning here in the UK ... and our new challenge at City Crafter could not be more appropriate "Blue Christmas" ... Fortunately I am cosy and warm ... my heating all up and working ...
At City Crafter we have Linda Robinson hosting for us and the talented Tante Kathe guest designing with some great examples to get you inspired ... As always there is a prize on offer - this week courtesy of Linda who, by the way, is a very brilliant photographer as well as crafter! Leslie at A creative Mint has allowed us to use this fabulous inspirational photo ...

So on to my project  ... I made this cute little sled to hold a gift or treats ...

I couldn't resist putting this sweet little robin in the shot .... but I have to tell you that photographing this sled was so difficult ... trying to give a proper idea of the shape ...

Everything is cut from card and the template was a freebie from Here ... I glittered the rails and attached them with snowflake brads and just added some pearls 

I honestly can't remember who makes this paper ... it is a pad that I have had for a long time ... the bells, ribbon and trim are all from my stash 

I just popped in some candy canes and some sweets ... but you could put anything in there ... a candle fits nicely or maybe some hot chocolate and marshmallows would be good ... 

I hope you are going to join us this week ... I look forward to seeing you 

Till soon

~ Ros ~

Brrrr!

It's really cold here and the gym this morning was like a cold storage place ... I had 3 pairs of socks on and still my toes were frozen! But my lovely friend bought me some very special gloves ... for people like me who suffer from Raynauds disease ... they contain silver which is supposed to really assist with heat storage ... one pair has only half fingers so I can type or work with them on and the other pair with full fingers are to be worn on top when I am out and about ... I've worn them today and so far so good ... 

So ... nothing exciting ... just 3 little cards to share ... one stamp 3 cards ....

I did a lot of stamping for my group last week and had some pieces left over so waste not want not ... and it gives me an excuse to talk to you all ...

I really do love this Anna Griffin stamp ... got it for a song on Ebay ... the ribbon too ...

Fancy Tag dies from Spellbinders .....

Lovely buttons from The Ribbon Girl ... aren't they cute?

I'm always behind when it comes to Christmas ... so I am going to have to get cracking with more cards ... just got some lovely new papers from Websters but blowed if I can find where I put them ... I put things in such a safe place that even I can't find them!

I'll be back tomorrow for the challenge at City Crafter ... but there is still lots of time to enter this weeks challenge ... 

Till soon ... keep safe and keep warm

~ Ros ~

Tags ...

Hi ... How are you all?
I'm struggling with my creative side lately ... we've been without hot water and heating for a few days and it is very cold in the UK ...  it hasn't helped my cold ... and I'm finding it difficult to create when everywhere is in disarray and people are coming and going ...  Today I thought I'd try out some Christmas tags ... hoping that would kick start my mojo ....

Reading some of my favourite blogs, I see that PTI are having a Blog Hop Tag challenge and there are some lovely entries ....  I went with things that I had around ... when I make for my group I often have lots left over ... like the glittered snowflakes that I used on these tags ...

... and I like tags that are made from bits and pieces ... the smallest bits of doilies that I can't bear to throw away ... pretty little lace from Kirsty ... chipboard stars and silver snowflakes that I have had for ages 

So at least I've made a start ... tomorrow is another day and maybe I'll get my inspiration back ... I've been asked to go into a school and hold a class for 27 pupils aged 10 and 11 ... boys and girls ... sometime in the next couple of weeks and I admit  ... I'm panicking a bit!

Till soon

Have a great weekend 

~ Ros ~

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello ... Good Morning to you all ....

I am just popping in to wish all my lovely friends in the USA a Very 

Happy Thanksgiving ....

I am celebrating the friendships I have formed ... the joy and happiness these have brought me ... the incredible talents of you wonderful people from all corners of the United States .... The sweet comments and kind words ....

Have a wonderful time with your families and loved ones ... 

~ Ros ~

City Crafter Challenge 32

My Cuppa .... that's the new challenge this week set by our very own Kirsty here at City Crafter Challenge blogspot ... and followers will know that she always takes us to a city ... This week it's Seattle .... Our Guest Designer is the very Talented Jan ...  aka Chai Tea 'N Me ... pop over and say Hi!
Now being a gal from Liverpool in the UK ... the closest I ever got to Seattle was watching the film "Sleepless in Seattle" ... I had no idea until recently that Seattle is so far north or so large  ... Ok so I'm totally useless at geography anyway and never even having crossed the big Atlantic ocean to the USA (probably one of the few that hasn't) ... none of it mattered anyway ... but my son travelling and being part of this wonderful blogging world ... I now look at maps of where you all live ... 
All that said ... I did come up with a card ... coffee being my preferred choice ( I know ... us Brits are all supposed to be tea lovers ... but tea doesn't always agree with me) ... 

How cute is that little cup with a coffee scented candle? I just had to put it in the shot with my card ...

I used a digital paper for the background which was a freebie from Digi Brew ... 

That beautiful vintage image is from one of my Etsy finds at Cassis Creations ... some really lovely things here ... I used some backing from my stash ... some prima flowers ... the little coffee coloured ones are from Pixie Dust Paperie ... and a gorgeous coffee coloured ribbon ... I don't usually say this as I'm not into self promotion ... but I really do like this card and it's rich colours ...  it isn't what I would have normally done so I am grateful for these challenges ... they constantly stretch me and introduce me to all possibilities ... So how about you? are you going to join in? I hope so ... it's good to try new things and I get to see all your wonderful inspiring creations too ...

Till soon

~ Ros ~

Christmas memory ...

There are some photographs that are just so special ... they evoke memories and feelings ... fill our hearts with warmth and can transport us back to a time long ago ... to a place of innocence ... where hopes and dreams didn't even come into the equation ... all that mattered was the moment ... the future didn't exist and time was something that only needed consideration when you were waiting for Christmas ... or a birthday ... or some other delight ... 
This picture was taken over 50 years ago ... me with my two older brothers ... It was a Christmas party held in the city by the Press Club .... My Dad worked for Paramount films so we got to go and I can still remember the gift I got from Santa ... a little baking set ... 

My elder brother is helping me to open my gift as my other brother looks on ... the same elder brother who still helps me to this day ... he can fix just about anything ... computers, electrics, plumbing ... We've stayed close ... As siblings we have had our fair share of heartaches ... that was our first and last party with our Dad ... and this photograph the only reminder that it happened .... Special ...

Now it will hang on my wall ... as a reminder of just how far we've come ... of those innocent days and how blessed we are to have each other ... I think it was waiting for this paper from Websters Pages ... the pretty Prima flower and some bits from my stash .... 

... and of course my folded Christmas tree ... made with printed sheet music and glittered ... In case you are wondering ... I printed the word "Remember" onto the paper ... it seemed appropriate ... I think it is also an appropriate entry for the new challenge at Pixie Dust Paperie ... (please click the link for details) ...  Do you have a special photograph? one that speaks to your heart?

Have a wonderful day my blog friends 

~ Ros ~

Christmas packages

Well finally my kitchen doors are being fitted ... the correct ones ... hopefully it wont be too long before the flooring can go down and the walls decorated ... seems like it's been forever ... And we have a bad case of 'Man flu" here ... the germs are rapidly spreading and I am not feeling so good but someone has to be up and see to everything right? 
So I take myself to where my heart is content ... my creation station ... where there is only delight ... I have a couple of things to share ... made for Christmas and the new challenge at Embellish Magazine (click the link for details) where the sponsor is My Time Made Easy ... This is the inspirational photograph 

Now I know I've said it before ... but I'm saying it again ... I love the simplicity of the My Time Made Easy templates ... I don't have any fancy cutting machine (except for my Sizzix) so everything I do is by hand and Lauren makes everything so easy to do. I Love her little house templates and the DT at Embellish Magazine have done some fabulous samples ... so I had to use my template too plus another from Creation by AR ... which I find a tad fiddly but worth the effort ... So here are my entries ...

A 'House" gift box and a 'Tote" gift bag ...

I cut layers of felt for my roof and added some flower soft for a dusting of snow ... machine stitched some pretty green paper on ... added some berry branches and some pretty pink ribbon ....

I could make a whole village of these .... wouldn't that be nice 

My little 'Tote' ... I used the same paper and ribbon ... a couple of red material covered brads from my stash and some brown CS .... I think the shape of this is so sweet

I know there are some lovely Christmas bags and boxes around ... but something handmade is special I think ...


That's all for now ... Have a lovely weekend 
Till soon


~ Ros ~

A new challenge and a sad goodbye ...

Hello ....
It's a wet, windy and cold afternoon here in Liverpool ... a perfect day for getting creative ... and I discovered a new challenge blog .... Let's Craft and Create ... and this week the challenge is "One for the boys" ... now where have I heard that ... So anyway, I know I have a good few male birthdays coming up and it's always good to make a start and even better to support a new blog ... Thus I made 2 cards for the challenge today ... "Just a note"

Feeling in a digital mood ... I used beautiful papers from Vinnie Pearce ... Art papers and ATC cards 

The sentiment stamp is from Anita's and the seam binding from my friend Kirsty ... I did have a problem with my "Brother" ... sewing machine that is .... it didn't want to sew so much as chew  but I've hopefully sorted it ....


And next up ... "Soar" ... using Websters Pages ... and a some paper from a free kit at The Shabby Princess (Seasonal Sampler) .... 

I cut some of those sweet balloons out and pop dotted them to give some dimension ... the Soar ticket is from Tim Holtz ... 

On a sad note ... I noticed today when doing my blog hopping ... that sweet Danni Reid of Dannisdoodles has decided to step away from blogging ... this came as a massive shock ... (well to me anyway) she is such a talented and inspiring crafter who I have admired followed for the longest time.... I have no idea what has prompted this but I will say a prayer for her ... she will be sadly missed ... if you get the chance perhaps you can check out her blog and maybe leave her some love ... my heart tells me she could use some ...

Till soon

~ Ros ~

Little Children at City Crafter

Good morning everyone ... it's a beautiful sunny morning here ... though very cold  and today I'm hosting this weeks' challenge at City Crafter Challenge ... We are sponsored by Circusboard Graphics  and got to use the "Child's Garden" kit ... We have the wonderfully talented Diane Jaquay guest designing for us too ... please take a moment to check out her wonderful creations ....
My card ...

Now if you pop over to CCCB you may see that the colours in my card vary from the others there ... that's the power of digital ... you can change things as you wish ... however, when I made this I was  having problems with my printer .... the colours in the kit are so subtle and sweet ... but mine printed quite differently ... I now have a new printer! 

Never the less, I do love this ... the flower is handmade, the button are from the Ribbon Girl and lace from my stash.

I do hope you will join us this week ... if you get the time please hop over and check out the other DT creations too ...

Have a wonderful day ...

Ros

Cupcake Creations Color Challenge 4

I thought I'd gone and lost my mojo ... well I think I did for a while ... Then I saw I had won another Honorable Mention over at the Shabby Tea Room for my lilac heart ... how sweet ... I love to work with certain colours and lilac is one of them ... it's so calming ... so after my exercise class today I was ready to test out my mojo and what better way than with Mona Pendleton's Cupcake Creation Challenge "Purple Hues" ... with another set of beautiful photos from Leslie at A Creative Mint  and an inspiring quote from Alice Walker ....

I decided to create a wall plaque to go with my lilac heart ...

I needed to work fast as the light fades very quickly now ... 4pm and we have to have the lights on and it is so hard to take photos ... But I stuck with similar papers to the heart I made and added flowers, pearls, stamped masking tape, a pretty doily and some glass beads on wire to compliment my hanging crystal, as well as a chipboard frame ...

I'll let you into a little secret ... those hanging crystals were earrings ... there must have been about 20 on each earring ... like huge chandeliers ... But being the crafter I am I see pretty things to adorn my creations and not my ears ...

I hope you are all having a great day ... I'll be back tomorrow for the new challenge at City Crafter ... which means you still have time to enter this weeks challenge ...

Till soon, keep safe

Ros

A shabby heart

I just had to join in the Shabby Tea Room challenge this week .... "Lavender and Lace" ....

Need I say anymore? (sigh)

 Such a sweet combination ... makes me think of romance, old vintage finds, postcards and love ...

This adorable antique doily was sent to me from Chriss Blagrave ... my swap partner ... it is so precious and I am pleased that I have found a home for it .... on display where is ought to be

On this hanging heart ... drawn and cut by hand and put together with love ... different lilac papers randomly cut and all stitched together ...

       covered with various stamps from Eline Huis and a little printed masking tape by Tim Holtz ...

A silver crystal pendant drops and glistens in the light ...

More lace ... ribbons ... a cameo ... tulle and of course lilacs with a glittered rose ... drop crystals and a butterfly with sparkle ... and my shabby heart is complete ... 

Till soon

Ros

Cupcake Creations Color Challenge 3

Hello again ... this is my second post today so if you are looking for the CCCB challenge - please scroll down ...
I got time to create a card for my friend's birthday ... I teamed it with the new challenge at Cupcake Creations ... how could I not use this beautiful inspirational picture by the incredibly talented Leslie at A Creative Mint ... I looove her work ... 

Gorgeous and so fresh ... don't you just love those flowers? Anyway this is my card ...

I used 2 different papers and some white card that I stamped on ... a handmade glittered rose, pearls and lace and of course some lovely seam binding ...

Hope you're having a lovely day ....

Till soon

Ros

City CrafterChallenge Week 30

Where does the time go? Here we are for another challenge at City Crafter and our lovely Cheryl is hosting ... this week she has asked that we do a Thank You card or project ... and I too echo her words ... We are all truly grateful for your support ... Cheryl is also sponsoring a great prize ... Thank you Cheryl! 
We don't have Thanks Giving here in the UK ... When I was a child we always had "Harvest Festival"... we celebrated at school and at church ... We would all bring a home made basket of fruit and vegetables and they would be put on display ... after which they would be distributed to people less fortunate than ourselves ... It was a lovely tradition and in my opinion too much is taken for granted in life now ... not many people stop and reflect on what they are blessed with ... The whole time I have been without a kitchen, a sink, and living in disarray ... I thought about all the people in the world who are so less fortunate ... each day I try to remember my blessings and amongst them are you lovely people who come and visit ... this card is for you ...

Websters pages again ... and a lovely doily ... the pin came from a challenge I won some time ago at PPCC ... the flower is from Prima (love those flowers) ....

Those little flowers are from my stash ... and the card is sprayed in glimmer mist but I'm not sure you can see that ...

Take a look at the rest of the DT work and the beautiful card from our GD this week ... Amy Duff ... she is one talented lady!! 

I look forward to visiting you all and seeing your creations ... Have a wonderful day 

Till soon

Ros

Playing with glitter

I've been busy with some projects this last week which I can't share just yet ... but this afternoon I had some time to play ... 

 ... I love glitter ... and as my Brother and SIL will be celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary in a few days ... it was the perfect reason to play and indulge myself ... I had to photograph these using the flash because it is dark here (cold, wet and windy too!)

An anniversary card with Websters pages, a prima flower ... lots of lace and different glitters ... what could be better? This is almost the last of my little piece of flocked ribbon ... and this card deserved it ... I just had one of those ruby crystals and it found a perfect home .... rich red glitter adorns the heart ... coated twice ... and the pearls sit oh so comfortably on the precious piece of scroll lace ... a find at an antique stall ... how I wish I had more of this ... 
I am a happy girlie right now ... with a glittery face and a room to tidy ....
Have a wonderful evening and I'll be back tomorrow ...


Till soon
Ros