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 ~