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