It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Hi folks, yesterday I made my mincemeat; the kitchen looked like a culinary bombsite. It is very fruity, full of dried fruit, sultanas, raisins, currants, dried peel, dried apricots, orange peel, lemon peel, apples, lemon and orange juice, and a small bottle of brandy, plus some cinnamon. I make a huge bowl full, and put some away for the following year, when it has a very full bodied flavour! By the way, I use vegetarian suet.

Today, I made my mince pies, I normally like to have a bigger gap between making the mincemeat, and the mince pies, but time is running short. I added fresh cranberries to the mincemeat, and made a crumble topping for the pies. I don't make my own pastry, however, if I added the wet ingredients to the crumble topping, it would become pastry, so I am capable, just realistic about the time that I have.

I made four dozen today, and will make some more tomorrow, and get some in the freezer, as they disappear fast around here.

I had mentioned to my friend Elaine that I was adding cranberries to my mincemeat, and she gave me a link to a really cool website http://somefiddlingonthekitchentable.blogspot.com/2010/12/cranberries.html where the blog owner had stamped the background of her card with real cranberries. I do follow this blog anyway, but had been too busy to pop over and take a look. Anyway, I decided to have a go, as I loved the effect, and this is what I made, using cranberry and raisin Adirondack inks, well it would have to be, wouldn't it!

I think that I will have to make some more of these, as the design is lovely. I hope that you are all getting on well with your Christmas preparations, better than me anyway! Megan comes home at the weekend, which will be lovely, hopefully there will be some mince pies left for her.......

Anyway, thanks for popping by, Judith xx

Christmas comes but once a year

So why do I never get my cards made in time? I'm always making them at this point in time, like a looney, and feeling quite frazzled. I always vow to start early the following year, and never do. Ah well, there's always next year!
I had to send a package of cards off today, one for my Daughter's boyfriend, one for him to give to his Mum, and another for my Daughter's flatmate. As Megan comes home on Sunday, time is running out. Anyway, they are on their way, so fingers crossed that they get there on time.

The first card that I made, was designed around one of Tim's tags, I actually made one this year! Because I had to justify the time spent on it, I made two at the same time, and turned them into Christmas cards, and gave one to my son as well. I think that they make great cards for young men, as that is such an awkward age to make a card for. This grungy style is perfect. Ryan really liked the acetate cover over the snowman.

I used a backing paper from the Artylicious Season's Greetings CD, and made my card from Kraft card. I loved making this tag, and want to make some of the others now!

The second card that I made was for Chris to give his Mum. Apparently, he was 'well impressed' by my blog recently, and asked if I might have a card that he could give his Mum. I have used an Elusive Images angel as my main image. I created my own background using a holly spray stamp, Versamark and white satin embossing powder. Then I sponged various blue and grey Distress Inks over the card. I cut my flowers from cream card using a Crealie die, edged them with Distress Ink, and flicked the edges up. I cut a Tim Holtz deer from grungepaper, coloured it with Distress Inks, and added some braid and a charm.

The last card for Megan's flatmate, uses another Elusive Images angel, who always looks a bit naughty to me. That fits Gemma to a 'T', as she is a naughty angel, bless her. I have used another backing paper from the Season's Greetings CD, and some lovely pink mirri card. I have used another Crealie die, which kind of resembles a snowflake, (it just has one too many points, but who's counting!)

Anyway, I'm back to the grind now, to make a few more cards, although lots of people I'm ashamed to say will not be receiving a handmade card this year. I will try harder next year! Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Tim Holtz Giveaway

Linda Brown has a giveaway here. There are all kinds of Tim Holtz goodies up for grabs.

Rockin' around the Christmas Tree

Two more Christmas cards for you today, that I made for the Elusive Images Design Team recently.

This first card uses a Rocking Horse image taken from the Family Christmas themeplate, stamped onto Kraft card. I decided to put it onto a rocker style card, and found a template in the Making Cards with Movement magazine which came out recently. I kept the colouring very simple, as I wanted a homespun feel, just adding some terracotta card, and some gingham ribbon.

The second card uses an image from the same stamp plate which has been decoupaged, and I added some lovely vintage lace and flowers using left over scraps of card.

I'm off to see my Daughter in Stoke today, she assures me that they haven't had any recent snowfalls, and that the main roads are clear. We have no snow on our roads at all, we haven't had any snow to speak of all week. It's cold here, but that's all. We have been very lucky to get off so lightly hearing how everyone else is suffering, I know. For all of you who are snow bound, take care, and stay warm. Thanks for popping by, Judith xx

That Christmas feeling

Well, I'm back down to earth after my Birthday, and thank you for all of your kind wishes yesterday. I had a lovely day, just that little bit less than perfect because Megan, my Daughter wasn't here to spend it with me, and Ryan, my son was poorly, so he couldn't come out to celebrate in the evening.

We went Christmas browsing yesterday, less frantic than proper shopping with a list, and bought some beautiful decorations for Christmas from John Lewis. We bought two lovely wooden words, 'Peace' and 'Joy' which Terry has set out already, and two lovely red and white pottery Scandinavian style baubles for the tree. I also got two felt versions as well, they have some lovely bits in there this year.

We have two trees in our house, since we had our extension built last year. The tree in our living room has traditional colours, red and green, wooden, and metal ornaments, all the precious ornaments from when the children were babies. I love it, as there are lots of happy memories in those boxes. Megan is 21 now, and those years have just flown by. The other tree is white and gold, completely different, but beautiful, nonetheless, and it has been a pleasure to be able to decorate the new room in a different style at Christmas. We have Christmas ornaments from Italy, as we go there quite regularly, and it is lovely to bring out a continental feeling too at Christmas. I am slow to get going with the Christmas spirit, as I like to get my Birthday out of the way first, but today, I definitely have a stirring of something in the air.

We have very little snow here still, I can't believe the amount of snow that the rest of you are struggling with. I am almost embarrased to post these pictures!

Recently we've been making Christmas cards as part of our Design Team remit for Elusive Images I made a tag using a lovely tree stamp from the Family Christmas stamp set, and a little pear stamp from another set also available from Elusive Images. I used Pear Tart and Sweet Plum Memento Inks to colour my tag, which were a lovely colour combination.

We also got to play with a new set of stamps designed by Carrie, called Earth Spirit, and one of the cards that I made was using two sun shaped stamps. I loved working with these stamps, as I chose to make a very non Christmassy card with these! I used very warm colours, and triple embossed my central panel.

I hope that you enjoyed popping by today. Keep warm, and stay safe in those hazardous conditions. Judith xx

WOYWW

Well today is my Birthday, so I won't be crafting much today, so I'm not showing you my desk , just a photo of a stunning creation that my blog friend Elaine sent me. I was amazed at the amount of work that she had put into this for me, as she has been very poorly for weeks, bless her. So anyone else who shares my Birthday, many happy returns to you!  If you don't know what all this WOYWW mullarkey is all about, hop over to Julia's Blog to find out. Thanks for looking. Judith xx

LB Crafts Workshop

On Wednesday, I went to a workshop at LB Crafts run by the lovely Linda B. It was a Printer's Tray workshop, incorporating lots of metal. I have quite a long drive to get there, but it is well worth it to attend the workshop.

The class was very intensive, as there were a lot of steps to get through, in order to complete the project. Linda ensured that we kept going, and pretty much finished our project by the end of the day. I had a lovely time, meeting new people, and chatting to them throughout the day. Of course, I enjoyed browsing around the fabulous shop too, in my lunch break, and made one or two purchases.

Linda did some demos throughout the day, to show us what to do, as we went along, and I learnt how to use Terra and Ferro on a tag, colouring them with Precious Metal Paints to give them an aged look.

Most of the metal panels were run through the Big Shot over Kabuka Moulds for speed, and refined by hand afterwards. However, we did some by hand, like the word 'create' as it needed to be taken off a mould seperately.

The finished Printer's Tray looks absolutely stunning, and I was really chuffed with it when I was finished. Even my husband said he liked it when I got it home, and that is rare praise indeed!

Unfortunately, all of my gadding about has probably taken its toll on me, as my cold has turned to sinusitus now. My face hurts, but I'm taking antibiotics, so hopefully I'll be on the mend soon. For anyone else who is feeling poorly, keep warm and get well soon. Thanks for looking, Judith xx

Catching Up

It's been a while since my last post, and I'm sorry to be a bad Blogger. I've had a rotten cold, and still have to be honest. It's the time of year, and I'm sure a lot of you are suffering too. You have my sympathies.

Today is my 24th Wedding Anniversary, I don't know where all of those years have gone, I don't feel old enough! I was 13 when I met my other half, we were in the same class at school. He made me laugh, and he still does. He is my best friend, and sometimes it has felt as though it is the two of us against the world. He winds me up something chronic, but I wouldn't change him. He's been poorly lately, and it's made me take stock a bit and appreciate him a bit more I suppose. Anyway, we're having a day together, and going out for lunch, which will be a nice treat.

I've just got back from a weekend away with my lovely blog friend Lesley and we went to a Vintage Christmas Tags workshop at Graphicus run by the lovely Lynn. We had a fabulous time, making tags for Christmas in gorgeous creams, adding lace, glitter and a bit of gold and silver too. We met some of our other Graphicus Guild friends there too; Lou, Mel, Jill, and Jo. We had a great laugh, and it was a day full of friendship. Lynne K came too, who is a Guild newbie, and needs to start posting! I'm looking forward to the next workshops in December with Lynn and Glenda, just a couple of weeks away now, when I'll be reunited with the same bunch of lovely friends to make some more fantastic projects. It's a long drive for me, as it's the other end of the country, but I'm staying at my Mum and Dad's house next time around for a longer visit.
Here is a photo of three of the tags that I made at the workshop on Saturday, I started another one, but it's one that's going into the Graphicus Guild newsletter this month, so I'm not going to spoil the surprise. I have lots of tags and elements left over from the workshop to make loads more tags, so I can see myself making a lot of these this Christmas. The colour scheme is so elegant, and understated, it's really lovely.

Thanks for popping by today, keep warm, and take care, Judith xx

WOYWW 75

Hi folks, another Wednesday, which means that it's time to wander around Blogland looking at other folks' crafty stash, and seeing what's on their desks. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then hop over to Julia's Blog to find out.

For those people who visit my blog regularly, (and this one is particularly for Phree), I have tidied my floor this week. It's a bit of a shock I know, but my legs weren't long enough to get over the piles that I had created to get in and out of the room. Something had to give! It took me a whole day, and I filled up two black bin bags of rubbish, mostly old boxes, and things that should have gone a loooong time ago. It seems really odd to be able to walk straight to my desk now, it won't last!

My rug is a bit old now, but it is purely to protect the lovely oak floor from getting scratched by my chair wheels.

On my desk this week, are a lot of MS punches, some tree stamps and a couple of canvases. I also have some other stamps sitting there that I bought at the NEC on Saturday from LOTV, and a Christmas Inkadinkado set, which I really liked too. There are some dies lurking there too from Whiff of joy, and a leafy set of Nesties, that I had wanted for ages, since I used my friend's Lesley's set earlier in the year. My usual cuppa is sitting there waiting to be drunk, lovely!

Anything else that you spot, and you need to know about, just ask! Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

CSQ Project

Just a quick post to let you know that I've finally posted my latest offering on our sister blog Craft Stamping Quartet Hop over there if you'd like to see how I made my project. Judith xx

What's on which workdesk wednesday?

Hi folks, I haven't joined in WOYWW for a few weeks as I've been on my travels, and a bit busy. If you don't know what I'm talking about, hop over to Julia's Blog to see.

My desk looks deceptively tidy in the first photograph, just a few bits waiting for a project. I want to make a little hanging frame for Christmas, using a digital image I came across yesterday, and I might enter it into a challenge if I get a wriggle on. There's a scrummy Martha Stewart punch sitting there, that I haven't used yet, but my Mum has! Also, some stamps, and an unread beading magazine. Of course, there is a cup of tea, because I always have a cuppa to keep me going. 

The other side of my desk, however, is a different matter! There are piles of magazines, bits of card, stamps, all sorts of items waiting to be put away in their proper places. There is even a hammer lurking there, as I put a canvas on the wall the other day!

Now, I have to confess that I haven't actually been working at my desk for the last two days, which is why the computer end looks so tidy. I have been working on the dining table, because I needed to spread out, (that's my excuse!) I wanted to sort through my ephemera, and a large assortment of stamps for a project, and the table was a good space for that. My OH is not very happy, as we had tea on our laps last night, but I've promised that I'll clear the clutter asap. We are going out for a meal with friends tonight as a late celebration for his Birthday which was on Sunday, Halloween, yes, I married a werewolf, lol! Which means that I get another day's grace.

As you can see, it's a lovely light space to work in, and I quite often work there instead of my Craft room. Anyway, thanks for popping by, I'm off to nosey around some other people's desks now, have a good day, Judith xx

Bah Humbug

Strangely enough, I've been making a Christmas card today, and it's still October. I can't explain why, I just felt the need to make one. Normally, I leave making my Christmas cards until mid December at the earliest in a mild panic. Probably because my Birthday isn't until the start of the holiday season, and until I've celebrated that, I don't feel festive.

Anyway, enough of that! I decided to use a combination of stamp sets, all from Elusive Images, starting with a house from the New England Winter set, which I only used a part of, because I wanted the effect of a rooftop. I then used the reindeer from the Christmas Fusion stamp set, flying over the roof, with his sparkly trail of stars behind him. Lastly, I used a sentiment from Snowflake Flourish, which is a real favourite of mine for Christmas cards.

I have been playing with my Copics to colour in the house and reindeer, and I have to confess that I didn't really deviate from the suggested colours on the accompanying sheet for the stamps. I used a blend of Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky and Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks for the sky background, and painted a little bit of Diamond Stickles on the stars. I used a lovely deep blue backing paper from the Seasons Greetings Artylicious CD, and silver mirri card to mount everything.

How are you all getting on with your Christmas cards? Have you made a start yet, or are you like me, normally leaving it to the last minute? Good luck with them anyway.

Hopefully over the weekend, I'll get some of my Barcelona photos on here for you. We had a fabulous time, and I just loved wandering around the houses designed by Gaudi. The City is just amazing, and the trip went way too fast, but I'll tell you about it all another time! Bye for now, Judith xx