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Friday 25 February 2011

Crafty Catz DT - Friendship

Hello everyone. Hope you are all well. Today is time for a new challenge over at Crafty Catz. Thanks to everyone who played along last week...we hope to see you again this week.  It was Dianne's turn to choose the challenge this week and she has chosen the theme of 'Friendship'. Also, it's Dianne's birthday today so I am sure she would like it if you all stopped by to say Happy Birthday to her.


Ingredients:
Image: Best Friends digi image by Whimsy and Star Studios;
Medium: Promarkers;
Sentiment: PC Generated;
Papers: Pink Petticoat;
Ribbon: Stash.

Challenges:
Crafty Emma's: Spots and Stripes;
Hanna & Friends: Purple and 1 Other;
If The Shoe Fits Scrap It: Let Your Purple Shine.

Thanks for stopping by

Hugs
Suzanne

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Fab n Funky DT - Recipe Challenge

Hi there everyone. this is going to be a quick post because I fear hat I may have bitten off more than Ican chew this month - a lot more, lol.My daughter, Kim, is 16 in just over a week (6 March) and has requested (maybe 'demanded' is a better word, lol) a 3-tier birthday cake! Along with my mother wanting a carrot cake made for a work colleagues birthday (4 March); my original design team projects and I have also been given 2 guest DT spots for the month of March - more later, lol. Oh, and on top of all this, we are off to Euro Disney on the 30th March so... I guess it's all go, lol.

Anyway, today is time for a new challenge over at Fab n Funky. Thanks to everyone who entered last challenge. This time, we are giving you a recipe challenge.

We would like to see you include:    1 image; 2 embellishments; 3 papers ... mix it up and create something gorgeous.

I have had a nightmare time with this challenge because I HATE card recipes, lol. I NEVER use 3 papers! But, I think this card can be Kim's birthday card from the boys - she is always looking in a mirror and posing, lol. Anyway, here's my card and I hope it can give you a wee bit inspiration, don't worry if it doesn't, lol, there's plenty more on the other girl's blogs.


Ingredients:
Image: Coloured Digi Image by The Paper Shelter;
Papers: Pink and Berry Stripe and Berry Solid (Provocraft);Chloe's Closet;
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts.

Challenges:
A Spoonful of Sugar: Birthday Wishes;
Totally Papercrafts: Do It With Digi's;
One Stop Craft: Birthday Card;

Ok, I am off to try and get my DT cards done before I fall way behind. Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave

Hugs
Suzanne

Sunday 20 February 2011

It's A Girl

Hi there everyone. I hope you are all well and enjoying the weekend. I have been busy finishing my cake for college. Done and dusted now - just the paperwork side of things to go, yuk, lol. Thought I'd share a couple of pics with you because I'm actually quite proud of it!



Hope you like it. I am off to try and do some DT cards whilst Wee Steven is sleeping - he's not very well this weekend and when he's ill - he sleeps! Thanks for stopping by and any comments you may leave

Hugs
Suzanne

Friday 18 February 2011

Crafty Catz DT - One For The Boys/Men

Hi everyone. Today's card is my DT card for the new challenge over at Crafty Catz. Thanks to all the fabulous entries we had last week. There were lots of you ( so many that I am still trying to catch up with my commenting, lol) and we hope to see you again this week. It's Carol's turn to set the challenge today and she has chosen the theme of 'One for the boys' and we are very kindly sponsored by


who are offering one lucky winner this fantastic prize



The DT were also lucky enough to be given some images to use for this weeks challenge so here is my card and don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's fab work.


Ingredients:
Image: Spaceman by Digital Delights;
Papers: Spaced Out by Nitwit Collections;
Sentiment: Studio g Clear Mini Stamp Set;
Ribbon: Stash.

Challenges:
Totally Papercrafts: Do It With Digi's.

I hope you all find the time to join in again this week. Thanks for stopping by

Hugs
Suzanne

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Fab n Funky DT - Make Your Own

Hello everyone. I am back with my DT card for Fab n Funky as promised in my earlier post. Thanks to everyone who joined us last week. We have quite a few regulars now and it's lovely to see your different creations every week. This week, we are sponsored by Di's Digi Downloads.

and one lucky winner will receive 5 digi downloads of their choice. The DT were also lucky enought o be given some images to use this week to fit in with our theme. Which, by the way, is 'Make Your Own'. And, what that means is we would like you to have a go at making your own embellishments.This may be some punched flowers, ribbon flowers, beaded embellies, anything you like as long as it's DIY.


Ingredients:
Image: Cute Slumber by Di's Digi Downloads;
Medium: Promarkers;
Papers: Lost & Found Collection by My Minds Eye;
Embellishments: Punched Flowers and Beaded Pins;
Other: Glamour Dust and Flat-backed Pearls.

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp: Make Your Own Embellishment;
Creative Inspirations: Plain & Simple;
Stamps & Fun: Anything Goes.

Ok, so I hope that gave you some inspiration, don't forget to check out the rest of the DTs fab work. Also, talking of making your own...I thought I would share a wuick pic of my final cake for my college course. This is the one that will be marked for the final exam. It's not finished yet...I still have to add the ribbon, flowers and the wee baby but here it s so far

That's it. Thanks for stopping by

Hugs
Suzanne

Lots of Love

This is a card I made for Valentines Day. I made a card for each of the kids just to say I love them. I think when they are young, they like to receive them. This is Kim's one. I went off to Hobbycraft on Sunday to buy these Country Companion stamps and was lucky enough to get both sets at £3.49 each. Not often I get a bargain in Hobbycraft, lol.



Ingredients:
Image: Country Campanions Lovers Lane by Docrafts;
Medium: Promarkers;
Papers: From the Heart by Nitwit Collections;
Flowers: Papermania;
Sentiment: Stamp set as above;
Tools: Cuttlebug and Kimmy-Luvs embossing folder;
Ribbon: Stash.

Challenges:
Lets Ink It UP: Love/Valentine's Day;
Cupcake Craft: I Love You;
CRAFT: Let There Be Love;
Cute Card Thursday: Hearts and Flowers;
Cutie Stampers: Embossing;
Stamp Something: Something for your Valentine;
Crafty Emma's: Cute and Cuddly;
One Stop Craft: Love Is In The Air;
The Sweet Stop Sketches: Fantastic Sketch.

That's it for now, I will be back later with my Fab n Funky DT card.Thanks for stopping by

Hugs
Suzanne

Monday 14 February 2011

Wedding Acceptance

The card I have made today is a wedding acceptance. My card was inspired by Rach with her white on white card and the card box I made was from a tutorial by Rach here.  Love this wee box and am quite pleased with my card as well, lol.
I have to warn you in advance that this post is picture happy. Lots and lots of photos because I wanted to show all the angles and detail.


The card


Image Close Up

Ribbon and Heart Pearls close up

Side View

Inside 

 6x6 Box inside


6x6 Box outside

Ingredients:
Image: Champagne Glasses;
Medium: Silver embossing powder;
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nesties & Garden Swirls embossing folder by Craft Concepts;
Embellishments: Ribbon, Heart shaped pearls & Heart shaped gems.

Challenges:
Lets Ink It Up: Romance or Valentine's Day;
One Stitch At A Time: Make It Pretty;
Papertake Weekly: Have a Heart;
Cutie Stampers: Embossing;
One Stop Craft: Love Is In The Air.

And that's it! I have entered a couple of challenges here with a love theme. I hope that is ok. I think if its a wedding card, then there must be love in the air. If not, I will understand.
Thanks for stopping by everyone. I will be back tomorrow with another card.

Hugs
Suzanne


Friday 11 February 2011

Crafty Catz DT Card - Valentines/Love

Hi again everyone. Two posts in one day, well actually...this is one I prepared earlier, lol. I know you are all dying to ask if Wee Steven slept right through when he fell asleep early last night. The answer - NO. he got up at 10.30 and played for about 3 hours before finally dropping back off. then he had the cheek to say he was tired when we were getting up this morning...even had a nap for an hour this afternoon. LOL. Actually, he's not been very well and has some antibiotics. I also have a very bad chest infection and quite a sore throat so if he feels anything like I do then I feel really sorry for him. 

Anyway, enough of me rambling on. Today is time for a new challenge over at Crafty Catz and the theme is 'Valentine/Love'. That should be nice and easy this week because we all have someone we love whether it's a partner, friend, mum, dad or one of the kids. Just make a wee card to show you care. And, since there are LOTS of challenges running the same theme at the moment and we don't mind if you combine then you should have LOTS of chances to win, lol. Ok, now you have no excuses. 


We are, once again, lucky enough to be sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and the DT were given some images to use but, for some reason, I didn't check the sponsor page on the DT Blog - sorry! There is a fab prize on offer though of 5 digi's or 4 digi's and 1 paper pack to one lucky winner picked by random org.

Here's my card for the challenge and don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's fab cards.

Ingredients:
Image and Sentiment: S-moo-ches by Elzybells (Another candy gift. Thanks so much, Elaine);
Medium: Promarkers;
Papers: From The Heart by Nitwit Collections;
Other: Ribbon from Stash.

Challenges:
Allsorts: Must Be Love, Love Love;
Totally Papercrafts: Clean and Simple;
Stampin For the Weekend: St Valentines Day;
Crafty Purple Frog: Valentines Day/Romance;
CRAFT: Valentines;
Let's Ink It Up: Romance/Valentines Day;
Creatilicious: Show A Ribbon and also make it A Love Theme.

Now, that's definitely it for me today. Thanks for stopping by.  I am off to link all these challenges and get some sleep - all this coughing is hard work, lol.

Hugs
Suzanne

Love Is...

Today, I was hopping around blogland and I kept seeing lots of entries for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge and since I had received my gorgeous new stamps from Elaine, I thought what better way to start than with one of these lovely wee critters.






Ingredients: 
Image: Critters Party by Penny Black (Thanks so much, Elaine);
Medium: Promarkers;
Papers: From The Heart by Nitwit Collections;
Sentiment: PC Generated;
Tools: Cuttlebug and Nesties.

Challenges:
Stamp Something: Something for your Valentine;
A Spoonful of Sugar: Let's See Some Love;
Creative Card Crew: For A Loved One;
Papertake Weekly: Have a Heart;
Passion for Promarkers: Let There Be Love.

I have also entered my card over HERE, The Cardmaking & Papercraft site, which is where I got the sketch from. Thanks for taking the time to look. I will be back later with my Crafty Catz DT card.

Hugs
Suzanne

Thursday 10 February 2011

A Recipe Request

Hi again everyone. I received some lovely comments on my Strawberry Ring the other day and Sheri asked if I would mind sharing the recipe. So, here it is. I got it in a Farmhouse Cookery book which my Gran gave me a few years ago. I think it's the only thing I have ever made out of the book and even then, only twice, lol. But, it tastes lovely when you get it right - The one in the photo actually went in the bin because I forgot to add the icing sugar to the cream!!!
Anyway, here goes...first you need the recipe for choux pastry to make the actual ring...


Choux Pastry

Ingredients:

2 and a half ounces (65g) plain flour
2 ounces (50g) butter
Quarter teaspoon salt
Quarter pint (150ml) water
2 eggs


  1. Sift the flour and salt onto a sheet of greaseproof paper.
  2. Put the butter and water in a heavy-based pan and place over a low heat until the butter melts, then increase the heat and bring rapidly to the boil.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in all the sifted flour, stirring quickly with a wooden spoon until the flour has been absorbed into the liquid.
  4. Return the pan to the gentle heat, then cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and comes away from  the sides of the pan.
  5. Cool the mixture for a few minutes, then beat in the eggs gradually. the pastry must be firm enough for piping but not too stiff.
  6. If you are not going to use the pastry immediately, closely cover the pan with a sheet of moist greaseproof paper under the lid. this keeps the dough pliable.
  7. Cook as for strawberry ring recipe. DO NOT open the oven door whilst cooking otherwise the pastry will be flat.


Strawberry Ring

Ingredients (Serves 6):

2 and a half ounces (65g) Choux Pastry
Half a pint (275/300ml) double cream
3 tablespoons icing sugar, sifted
1 lb strawberries, hulled
Icing sugar for dusting

Spoon pastry into a forcing bag fitted with a large plain nozzle. Pipe a ring about one and a half inches (4cm) wide and 8 inches across onto a greased baking tray. Bake in the centre of the oven for 30 minutes until golden brown.
Allow the choux ring to cool on a wire rack. When cool, but not cold, split in half horizontally with a sharp knife.
To make the filling, use a hand whisk and whip together the cream and icing sugar until light and fluffy. Spoon the cream into the bottom half of the ring.
Arrange the fruit on top and around the sides of the heaped up cream. Place the pastry lid on top gently and dust with icing sugar.

Ok, think thats it all. Sheri, if you read this could you leave me a link to your blog if you have one please. Thanks for looking everyone. Let me know what you think if you try making it
Hugs
Suzanne

An Award

Hi there everyone. I hope you are all well. I have a bit of a sore throat - nothing serious but I also have this really annoying cough. A bit of a tickle at the back of my throat bt it is driving me MAD - if I wasn't already, lol. Talking of which...the one who is usually driving me crazy is...yes, wait for it...SLEEPING. Believe me, I am touching wood as I type, lol. Left him with my mum for no more than 10 minutes tonight because I was bringing his outdoor playhouse home from her garden and needed to put the seats down in the car. So, leave him there...go back 10 minutes later and he is out for the count. I am going to try it every night, lol.

Anyway, I have actually just popped on to accept an award from my lovely design team mate, Dianne. This was actually given to me a good few days ago but I haven't had a chance to go and grab it!  Thank you so much, Dianne. I think by now that everyone knows how much I love to recieve these.

The rules for this one are:


You have been tagged and want to participate.Then create a post where you post
the 'LOVE BLOG' image. You should also blog the persons link that gave you
the award and inform them that you have accepted this award.
You can choose 3-5 blogs which you also link in your post
then each blogger will inform you they have been tagged,
Dear Bloggers
The aim of this action is that we bring unknown,good,blogs to light,
So i would ask you not to blog fellow blogger's that have more
then 3,000 follower's

So, I usually always pass my awards on but, since I have received this and also passed it before, I am going to just say that if you stop by and visit and you would like this then please help yourself.

Hugs Suzanne

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Fab n Funky DT - Tempting Texture

Hi there. Today is Wednesday and that means its time for a new challenge over at Fab n Funky. But first, thanks to all the people who joined in last weeks colour challenge and we hope to see you again this week. The the,me we ave chosen for this weeks challenge is 'Tempting Texture'. That's it, nice and easy. Use some sort of embossing or a bit lace or some flowers whatever you like as long as it has a different texture than normal. We have a fab sponsor once again this week.


who are very kindly offering one lucky winner 5 digis of their choice so, what are you waiting for, lol.

Here's my card, which I hope gives you a wee bit inspiration and don't forget to check out the rest of the DTs fab cards, too.



Ingredients:
Image: Sunflower Smiles by Robyns Fetish;
Medium: Promarkers;
Papers: DCWV (I think);
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nesties, Daisies Embossing Folder;
Other: Ribbon from stash, Flatbacked pearls from Kanban.

Challenges:
One Stitch At A Time: Do It With A Digi;
Pile It On: Bright and Breezy;
Paper Play: Stamp It Out;
Stamp Something: February Digi Day;
Create 4 Fun: Sketch;
2 Sisters: Pearls.

That's it from me. I am off to see what damage Steven has done while I have been posting this. Thanks for stopping by

Hugs
Suzanne

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Strawberries and Cream

Just a few pics to share today. One of the strawberry ring I made the other day, another of our strawberry and cream cupcakes we made last week an done of theboys tucking into the choc spread, lol.










I think Jack got the wrong deal here, lol. The wee jar and spoon was supposed to be for Wee Steven but he just wasn't parting with the full jar and the knife, lol.

Thanks for looking.

Hugs
Suzanne

Saturday 5 February 2011

Yummy Cupcakes and a wee kiss

Hi everyone. I hope you are all having a lovely weekend. We were at my grans house last night for a bit of a family get together - just some food and a few drinks. Tonight we are off to my aunts house for the same - although I am sure that it will be a bit more boisterous, lol. Just thought I would share a picture of the cupcakes I made to take with me last night.




And this pic is of me slobbering all over my younger cousin, lol.



Thanks for stopping by and I may be back tomorrow as long as I don't feel too rough

Hugs
Suzanne

Friday 4 February 2011

Crafty Catz DT - Tartan/Plaid

Hi again everyone. Time for a new challenge over at Crafty Catz. Thanks to everyone who joined in last weeks challenge, we hope to see you again this week. Trish chose the theme this time and she would like to see 'Tartan/Plaid' on your creations please. Have to admit, I was a bit stumped here because it's not something I would usually use however, I am quite pleased with the end result. We are lucky enough to have a fab sponsor this week




who are very kindly offering one lucky winner this fantastic prize




The DT were also lucky enough to be given some lovely sentiments to use on their creations this week/ here's my card, which I hope gives you a wee bit inspiration and don't forget to visit the rest of the DT to see what they have made this week.



Ingredients:
Image: Molly Blooms by Clare Rowlands (free with SC&P mag);
Medium: Promarkers;
Papers: American Plaid by Daisy D's;
Sentiment: Sentiments 4 U;
Tools: Cuttlebug and Nesties (sentiment);
Other: Ribbon from stash; flatbacked pearls from Kanban.

Challenges:
Passion for Promarkers: Photo Inspiration;
Paper Play: Stamp It Out.

That's it from me today. Wee Steven has an absolutely awful cold and is sitting with his head over a bucket - not sure if he actually needs it or just likes to be dramatic...probably the latter, lol. Thanks for stopping by

Hugs
Suzanne

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Fab n Funky DT - Colour Combo

Morning everyone. I hope you are all well. It is absolutely miserable weather here in Edinburgh this morning. Just the right kind of day for hiding indoors to bake and craft! Today is Wednesday which means it's time for a new challenge over at Fab N Funky. Thanks to everyone who joined in last weeks challenge and we look forward to seeing you again this week for our colour challenge of 'Chocolate and Blue'. We are lucky enough to have a fabulous sponsor this week.



About Digi’s With Attitude!



Digi’s With Attitude! is a Digital Stamp Company that brings Sass & Attitude
to your stamping projects!


Meet the newest Attitude’s in town! ’Grumpy Gretchen’ is a sure beauty with sexy curves and very unique facial features. Her hairstyles constantly change, as does her clothing and element she is in. She is sassy and isn't afraid to show it! Everyone loves Grumpy Gretchen. We know you will too! You can now meet the new Animals With Attitude! too!

They are in the store and ready for you to adopt them. All images are 300 dpi and
come in both JPEG & PNG instant downloads.

So, to be in with a chance of winning a $10 gift certificate to spend in store, just create something chocolate and blue and link it up for us to come see.

The DT were also lucky enough to be given a couple of images to play with and some of us have used these. I have actually used one I got as a prize a couple of months ago and this was a great image and lovely to colour. So here's my card and for more inspiration, remember and check out the other girls fab DT creations.




I have coloured my image, Shopping Tween by Digi's with Attitude, with Promarkers; cut round the image and mounted onto a piece of card which has been chalked to give a soft, shimmery blue backing. The ribbon is from my stash and has been given a ruffled look and stuck to a border strip punched with a MS border punch. The flowers are punched from Craftwork Cards paper packs with a retro flower punch. The flatbacked pearls are, as always, Kanban. The sentiment is a freebie from Sentiments 4U and has been chalked with a slightly darker shade of blue.

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday: Sketch;
Digi's With Attitude: Digi People;
2 Sisters Challenge: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - use a female image;
Passion for Promarkers: Inspiration Photo;
Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes and Flowers.


Well, that's it for now. I am off t make a cake - dunno how I ever expect to loose any weight, lol. Thanks for stopping by and any comments you may leave

Hugs
Suzanne

Tuesday 1 February 2011

Cutie Pie

Hi everyone. A quick card from me today. I bought this sheet along with the paper pack and a digi image last week. The decoupage sheet has been printed and made up since then so I thougt I'd turn it into a quick card. Has to be quick because Wee Steven was very sick last night and I have a HUGE pile of washing to do before college this evening - provided the wee man's feeling better.



Ingredients:
Image: Cutie Pie Digi Decoupage Sheet from Pink Gem Designs;
Papers: Cutie Pie Digi Papers from Pink Gem Designs;
Sentiment: Decoupage Sheet;
Other: Flatbacked Pearls from Kanban.

Challenges:
Sketch N Stash: Sketch by Vicky;
Papertake Weekly: anything Goes (optional extra - flowers);
Crafts and Me: Monochrome;
Paper Play: Layer It Up;
Totally Papercrafts: One for the Kiddies.


Thanks for stopping by and any comments you may leave

Hugs
Suzanne
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