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 ~