Been a Baaaaaaad Blogger!!

Anyone still reading? Nah - I don't blame you!!!!

Oh my goodness I have been a naughty blogger - I just don't seem to have a second to myself these days!

Busy Busy Busy with getting organised for Christmas - bit of a last minute rush as usual! Still not done my cards - oops! This is me that was designing cards back in August! Ah well - guess it is like the age old tradition.....even decorators never get round to painting their own house!!!

Lots of lovely craftyness happening in my world! The Sugar Nellie Stamps are a great success and a MUST HAVE for all card-makers! LOL This month saw the second release of images from Eva which are gorgeous and also the launch of new artsist Linda Andreu - she has designed the adorable Maggie, Hamish and the wee dug Angus! I am just loving these stamps - as you can see above!!

Had a day of deliveries yesterday......Santa came early! The lovely peole at Bramwells gave all the demonstrators a copy of Cricut Design Studio for Christmas! Oooooh how fabby is that!!! Also received a BIG box of seriously yummy stash to get creating with for 2 new Demonstrations to be lauched in January.

Also received and processed my first Stampin Up orders last week. There stamps are just lovely - and the matching cardstock, ink & ribbons are just divine!!!!

So now I just need to sit back and enjoy Christmas then I can get busy creating in the New Year!! (ha ha after I finish making gifts and treats!)

Better go - it's the Children's Village Party today - there is hair to be curled and party shoes to shine!!!!

xxxxxx

Anyone miss me?........

Sorry I've been a bit AWOL!!!

No excuses really just very very busy!!

We had a lovely holiday in Holland last month - was great to be away as a family and to see Oma, Opa, Tante Alinde and of course the gorgeous Baby Chiem!! Aaaaaw he is getting so big already!!

Didn't take long to get back to normal though - busy with shipping girls to School, Playgroup, Rainbows & Swimming! Ah the joys! Have also started working 2 days a week in the Studio in Elgin which has been great - so nice to get out of the house for a bit!

I am making lots of wee hand crafted gifts and the usual snowman poop & sants kisses for various Christmas Fairs etc so hoping that brings a wee bit extra pennies my way!

Stampin Up was launched in the UK this month and I'm delighted to be a demonstrator! Their products are absolutely divine - not just stamps either! See the online Catalog HERE Am happy to take any orders! :)

Well - that's it for now! Will try & get some photo's updated soon and look into all the tagging that been going on LOL

I saw a few lovely comments on some of my work - thank you! Made me blush!!!

Oops-a-Daisy!

Been a bad blogger! Sorry!

Now tell me - who pinched September! It just wooshed before my eyes!

What a busy month! Annemiek is settling in nicely at school......and she came home with a certificate this week for being "Star Pupil of the Week" I am sooo proud!

So - what did September bring....a few more demo's for Bramwells - they all went very well! I gained another year! And have been busy busy helping Karen with her new venture.....Sugar Nellie Stamps! Oh my these are going to be fantastic! Hoping to be available over on Funky Kits b y the end of the month......and we are already working with another designer to bring out some more scrummy stamps! Check out the Sugar Nellie Blog for more info!!

Crafty Crafty Crafty.....

Ooooh been a busy girlie with lots of craftyness going on!

Was up at the Studio in Elgin on Saturday in my capacity as Bramwells Demonstrator :) Then again yesterday at The Caird Hall in Dundee demo'ing the lovely Inkadinkado Stamps and Snowflake range from Paper Adventures.

The papers are absolutely gorgeous - they are all pearlescent and some are glittered & embossed. Stunning! Almost a sin to cut them up! Here are a few project I have made with them......



Got to get busy now with organising class kits for the all day Christmas Class at the Studio in Elgin on Saturday then maybe just maybe I get to do some crafting for me! HeeHee!

Last one today......

and it's STASH STASH STASH!!!


Oodles of yummy stash :)



Better get busy coming up with ideas for it all now!!!!

Freya and her Fishies.....

Whilst we are on about obsessions Freya's seem to be Fish!

The playgroup trip before Summer was to go to Macduff aquarium which is really lovely! Freya absolutely adored every second there! And we have been 3 times again in the holidays! She tells me she wishes she was a mermaid! Aaaaw bless!!! And she could spend ages in the fish shop! The last time we were there the lady gave her some big Scallop Shells to take home - you would have though they were made of gold!!

Just look at the wonder in her eyes!!!!

jammie jammie.....

Annemiek is OBSESSED with Jam! And just loves picking berries :) We had a great crop of strawberries in the garden this year - mostly used to make PINK MILK (as Freya says "it's my favourite and my best"!) But last week they all went berry picking whilst I had some stress free time at the Craft Studio :)

Anyways - here is Annemiek in action.....and finally getting to taste her jam on an "Oma biscuit"!!!!

Playing Catch-Up!!!!

Been a baaaad blogger! Ooops!

The last few weeks have just been so busy trying to keep the girls entertained and keep up with my mummy, baking & crafty duties!!!

Got rather a few photos to share today....bit of a backlog! Will do them bit by bit!!!

Of course the most important thing that has happened is my baby has started school! I just cannot believe it! She settled in no bother yesterday (I had a bit of a bubble to myself though!) and was even happy to go back for more today!! Just look at her - as proud as punch!!!!

Butterflies and Bouncers.....

Oh goodness me I've been very bad at updating my blog! Just been sooo busy!

Having lots of fun in the holidays even though the weather has not been so great! Have had rather a few crafty days at home :)

Annemiek has done 4 weeks of intensive swimming lessons and is getting on fantastically :) One more week to go and hoping she will pass and move up to the next group! Just can't belive my baby will be starting school soon! Gulp!

The girls has a great time at Aberlour Games last Saturday :) They both had their faces painted as Butterflies and enjoyed all the fun & activities!

Had a surprise visit from Granny & Grandad late afternoon yesterday.....and lookie lookie....the rain stayed off long enough for Granny to have a shot on the trampoline!!! Hee Hee I'm gonna be in trouble for sharing!!!!!!

Back later with some more photos of STASH :D

Been a Busy Week :)

As some of you know I was away on a mini adventure this week :) I was asked to visit Bramwell Crafts in Lancashire for an interview and am extremely proud & excited to say I am the new Bramwells Craft Demonstrator for the North of Scotland!

I am so excited - they are a lovely family run company and supply craft shops with an array of gorgeous products from ProvoCraft, Hero Arts, Inkadinkado and many others! It's a wonderful opportunity to do what I love and hopefully help inspire others :)

The other highlight of the week were visiting my friend Trish and her lovely family! The kids all had great fun playing together and I wish we could have stayed longer! Just look at them!!!!

I've been tagged...

.....and only just figured out what to do LOL

The lovely Trish has tagged me with a ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER AWARD!


And now I need to tag 5 others.....hmmmmm no house work getting done today then !! Hee Hee! I shall tag........

http://littlescrapsofjen.blogspot.com/
http://snappycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://sharonfruit.typepad.com/



Got some exciting news too........watch this space :)

Schools Out For Summer.....

.....well actually they came off last week but we have been sooooo busy!!

Annemiek is having swimming lessons every day.....and doing really well. But oh my that half hour lesson really turns the day upside down!!!

Here's the wee darling with her teacher gifts....I just cannot believe that's nursery finished and she'll be starting school soon! Time to go show shopping!

Been playing with beads again.....will show & tell at the weekend :)

It's Raining, It's Pouring.....

......this weather is boring me to tears!!!!

Where oh where is the Summer! Have had enough of this weather! The garden is all flooded, I have a tonne of soggy washing......the trampoline is off limits!

Ah well....have treated myself to these lush papers from Funky Kits to transform into mini books for teachers gifts so that will keep me busy :) Annemiek & Freya can help by doing some nice drawings to go inside!

Hope somebody, somewhere has some sunshine!!!!???

Busy Busy Busy....

Having a busy weekend! Which is nice :)

Spent the day up in Aberlour yesterday. The Pantry organised a mini event in the Village Square with some tasters, jams and preserves to buy, tablet, sweeties and a craft stall that had funky knitted scarves. (and yes Annemiek HAD to have one...a big frilly pink hairy thing!) There was also a MacPherson's Lorry set up with its side down to act as a stage for highland dancing, belly dancing, a rock band and ceilidh music. It was a really nice day out and the sun was shining! Lots of fun for all!

Doing some work on the website today - Karen & I had great fun on Friday night picking what yummy srtash to include in the new SUPER FUNKY KIT which should go live by the end of the day!!

A rather long photo to share......a mini book made using beer mats and the gorgeous Sassy Girl papers from Creative Imaginations. This was part of my DT work for Funky Kits and the papers are all double sided. Erika had the boy version which is also gorgeous with lots of wee trains and boy stuff! They should be available as kits soon :)

All Partied Out!!!

I must be getting old if it takes me DAYS to recover from a party!!!!

The girls had a great time on Saturday.....even though the weather was terrible so our "Garden Party" was held indoors! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and it really felt like the kind of paties we had when we were kids.....instead of taking the easy (expensive!) option of booking somewhere!

So now I am busy making thank you cards, and am also working on some Design Team work for Funky Kits using the suitably funky "Sassy Girl" papers from Creative Imaginations. I have the PERFECT photo subjects fot these papers!!! Photos coing soon :)

another week.....

...oops a daisy - has it been a whole week since I blogged! Sowwy!!

Had a lovely weekend away in Perth at my Mum & Dad's....was good to have a change of scenery! Then I spent all day monday up to my arms (literally!) in PINK paint....been decorating the girls room for their birthday and it's looking fabby :)

Annemiek turned 5 yesterday.....I just cannot believe my baby is so grown up!

It's all rush rush rush here....trying to get the garden in order for our Party on Saturday too!

Here's a wee photo of the girls doing what they do best......looking adorable!!!!

Bag Lady!!!

Inspired by the doodling class I did at Scrap-a-Ganza and also my friend Trish's project over on It's a Creative World I decided to combine the two to make my very own eco-friendly carrier bag! I am rather pleased with the results and you may just see this available as a kit soon on Funky Kits so you can have some fun & do your bit for the environment! (and it takes 12x12 perfectly so would be ideal for stash shopping or taking to crops!!!!)

birthday babe :)

This last week has just woooooshed by! Still got a box full of Scrap-a-Ganza Projects to be finished off! Just not enough hours in the day!

My Baby is growing up fast! Freya had her 3rd Birthday yesterday....and only another 8 sleeps until Annemiek is 5! We had a lovely day yesterday and she enjoyed her fist session at Playgroup....and had Laura round later to play & eat cake!

Getting very busy over on Funky Kits....lots of lovely new stash arriving all the time! The new Hampton Arts Stamps are gorgeous and I sooooo want to treat myself but must resist as many are down to only one remaining already! I'll get first picking of the next order though!

Heading down to Perth this weekend - better get busy making things for Father's Day too!!

All Scrapped Out!!!!

I am still trying to catch up with myself!!

Had a busy busy weekend in Holland at Scrap-a-Ganza! Did a lot of lovely classes and now have lots of projects to finish off! Was also lovely to meet up with all the other lovely Scottish Scrappers....and the English...and the Dutch! LOL! Best of all I got to meet up with Alinde & Oma and the absolutely gorgeous baby Chiem! Oooooh he is just adorable!

Having a busy week catching up with the HW and Funky Kits but still had a wee play with some pretty paper! The Primavera papers from Paper Adventures are just so nice to work with! And fantastic quality too! Made a pretty card and covered a band-aid tin then made a mini book from beer mats to fit inside. Me likes :) Some of these papers are included in this months "Super Funky Kit" over at www.funkykits.co.uk - not many left now!

If you are on the look out for inspiration please check out http://itsacreativeworld.blogspot.com/ my lovely friend Trish is on the design team - along with some other superbly talented crafty girlies and it looks fab :)

We are heading off to Ikea tomorrow so away to browse the catalogue and make a wish-list!!!!

Making Plans.......

....to flee the country! Yaaaaay!

Only 2 sleeps until I go to Holland! Oooh I can hardly wait!

Finally did my planner - bit of a rush job but I rather like it :) Used Dutch Girl papers by Cosmo Cricket.....seemed appropriate! (sorry about the naff photo....it's getting dark!)

Better get back to the packing, washing, ironing nonsense!!!!

Angelic on a Sunday.......?

Well not really as they have been up since the crack of dawn and up to all sorts of naughtyness! LOL

But they did play nice for mummy to take some cute photos!

Been playing about with layers, colours & curves.....not quite got the hang of it but rather pleased with the results! One of these days I will get to grips with photoshop!

Nothing crafty so far today.....but Ads is home tonight so there is hope! Watch this space LOL

Spring Cleaning....

Busy Busy Busy getting all nice and super tidy before I abandon my family and head to Holland next week! Yaaaaaay a whole weekend of scrapping fun!!!!

Better crack on!!!

Thursday....

Had a very long day yesterday - all the way down to Perth for the Funeral then back home again. Addy was a star for driving me all that way, bless him!

It was a nice service, and Auntie Daisy had a good turn-out. It was lovely to see My Auntie Hazel, and my Gran and a few other faces that I've not seen for a long time. Always a shame that it is under sad circumstances though.

Had a better sleep last night, still feel a bit yeeuucchh but it is time to pick myself up and move on again. And just look what my sister in law sent to cheer me up - look at Chiem - isn't he just a cherub! I am hoping to get a cuddle with that little bundle of love when I am in Holland next week :)

No nursery today or tomorrow so no doubt I will have a house full....or should that be trampoline full of the local kids :) Aaaah I love it really....and it wears them out!

Got a new book in the post yesterday all with ideas for mini books.....so I plan to sit down later and get creative.....it's long overdue!!!

It's official.....

.....Kids really CAN sleep anywhere!!

How adorable is she? Never mind the drool that is dripping down my sofa! Hee Hee!!!!

Ups and Downs.....

Been a strange few days....lots of mixed emotions!

We spent a lovely day down in Peebles on Friday - was lovely to visit some old friends - especially Val at the Sunflower Restaurant - if antone is ever in Peebles I highly recommend her place! Hmmm - can't seem to add a link but the site is http://www.thesunflower.net/

Came back home to some sad news though - my Auntie Daisy passed away on Thursday evening - she is actually my Dad's Auntie but I always called her Auntie Daisy too :) She was such a character and will be sadly missed. My own wee girl Freya Daisy is named after her.

Two little girls were very VERY lucky this weekend though as Granny & Grandad gave them their Birthday present early.......so they have literally spent the last 48 hours bouncing up & down on their new trampoline!! Photo's to follow!!!

Back to Earth with a bump on Saturday with a Class at the Paper Crafts Studio - had to do a last minute change as the Maya Road delivery didn't make it in time! Eeeek! But we decorated a 7Gypsies Mini Purse with the lush lush Anthologie papers and every one was happy :)

Just had a lazy day yesterday - caught up on the house work and been busy baking today!

Annemiek is away to nursery looking like an absolute vision in pink......just look at her!!!!

Sugar Plum Fairies......

We had a fun time on Sunday at the car boot sale! Annemiek managed to turn on her charm and got a leaotard set with skirt for £2....and also a video "how to be a Ballerina" which came with a litte pink tutu for 50p........only problem I have now is getting them to take them off!!!!!!!!! But you have to agree - they are adorable!

Happy Birthday Alison!

Happy Birthday to my Water Lily friend Alison!!

Your pressie and card were posted yesterday - just hope Royal Mail have done their stuff!

Will buy you a wee drinkie in Holland!

xxxx

anyone for pizza?............

Hello :)

Been a busy busy girlie since the Funky Kits Website opened on Wednesday! The lady in the local post office says I am her new best friend!

Managed to escape for a few hours today up to the studio in Elgin. Karen had a demonstrator in from Do Crafts which seemed to be very popular - I had lots of fun helping out on the till. Back home now and feeling geared up to do some crafting of my own! Need to get the wee monkeys in bed first!

Funky Funky Funky!!!!

Only a matter of hours until the new Funky Kits Website goes LIVE!!!

We've all been working hard to put together some lush lush kits (Karen has really pulled out all the stops!) and I'm ready with my pizza boxes to get packing!

In the meantime here's a sneaky peek! :)

May Madness

Wooosh - there goes another week almost!

Had a rather rushed weekend - down to Glasgow for a Chef Awards Dinner on Sunday night, stayed the night in the luxurious Radisson Hotel :)

Back home yesterday to collect 2 hyper little girls who had a great time with Grammy & Grandad!

All systems go now for the new Funky Kits website....going LIVE on Thursday! Need to start thinking ahead for some future kits.....me likes window shopping!

Got to get my card stand filled up in the local shop.....then teach my Class at the Studio on the 20th then I can start to look forward to my own personal crafty indulgence....my upcoming trip to Holland for Scrap-a-Ganza! Yaaaaaaaaay!

No photos to share today......but I might get a chance to play with some pretty paper later & try out some new ideas!

Picnic Time!!!!

We had a lovely picnic in the park yesterday but oh my it was soooooo hot! The girls were very good at keeping their hats on though! Plus they looked super-cool! Thankfully it is a lot cooler today so the sunscreen is back in the cupboard :)

Had a bizarre propsosition yesterday! We go to a coffee shop in Aberlour quite often...especially when I have nearly 3 hours to kill....and the Chef, James, is a really nice guy. Well.....I think he may be under some strange illusion that because Addy is a chef that I must be able to cook too and has asked if I would like to work one day a week to come in and do all his baking!!! How mad is that!! I told him that I doubted I was anywhere near coffee shop material (more botched fairy cakes with the kids!) but he must be really desparate! I have to make a few samples to hand in so we will see how it goes! Who knows - it could be the start of something good! And heaven knows the extra cash would be handy!! So I am away in search of yummy traybakes & cakes!!!!

Beach & Beads!!!

How fantastic is this weather!!!!! Let's hope this is the start of Summer!

Been busy again getting some more kits put together for the new Funky Kits Website - and here is a sneaky peek of one of the jewellery kits - I am in love with this pendant I made the other day!

Been up to the beach at Hopeman a few times this last week - the girls just love it......and we saw a Baby Star Fish - they were mesmerised!

Just about to go pack up a picnic and walk up the Speyside Way to Aberlour as both girls have 2's Group / Nursery today - better pack a good book for me too !

Art Dolls......

Okay Okay.....I suppose I will have to show you them LOL

These were made quickly.....in the class they had the options to add gems and beads etc but these were really just made up to demonstrate the 3 types of ink that were on offer!!

Having said that these wee dollies are highly addictive! I have already ordered a set of doll face stamps and some yummy collage sheets with crowns and the likes :)

Shattered......

.....is a word to describe how I feel! But elated at the same time!

Spent a fantastic day with everyone at The Funky Kits Aberdeen Event. All the classes went really well....even the wacky Art Doll class!!!!

Am away for a hot bath and an early night....to make up for the last few sleepless ones I've had! LOL! But before I do here is a wee peek at my mini-book class! We used the gorgeously sophisticated "Princess Bride" papers from Rusty Pickle to decorate a 7Gypsies purse & book kit and used lots of custom cut scallop borders and flowers and stamping and even a wee bit of sewing!!!

Will show of some more classes tomorrow but for now I am struggling to keep my eyes open!

Night Night xxx

so little time......

Well April has just been manic!

Bad start to the month with being unwell :( Took 2 big doses of steroids & Anti-Biotics to get me back on my feet again! Thank goodness for modern medicine!

Then we had a fun filled couple of weeks in the Easter Holidays! Unfortunately Ads didn't really get any time off so it was mostly just the girlies but we had fun :) We did have a visit from Granny & Grandad, which always goes down well!

Also been really busy getting all my classes designed and organised! I am teaching 2 classes at The Funky Kits All Day Event in Aberdeen tomorrow. A Mini Book Class (which is divine!!) and an Altered Art Class (Which is totally wacky & fun!!) Will share some photo's over the next few days once it's all over!

I can give you a sneaky peek of the Class I am doing in May at the Studio in Elgin. We will be decorating a Maya Road Coffee Break Tin & Book on a friendship theme using lush 3 Bugs in a Rug papers :) Love this project!

Next exciting thing is the new Funky Kits Website that should be going live in the next couple of weeks. Karen has been working really hard making up kits and I've done a few jewellery kits which I hope people will like!

Got to go....Fairy Cake session beckons!!!

..........catching up....

Oh dear - not been up to blogging :( Have had a nasty cold/chest infection that just wont shift!

Sorry - hope to be better soon!

and some more buttons.....

here is my other button layout.....again Freya looking very persuasive!! How could you resist that wee face!?

This was done for a crop challenge.....had to create a layout using acrylic paint :) I stamped the flowers using MM foam stamps.....yes I know they look like hair slides!!

I was delighted to win a prize for this one! A new set of foam alphabet stamps.....better look out those paints again!!

buttons buttons.....

Isn't it funny how we go through phases of what we use on our layouts!?

I am having a button phase at the moment! Have done 2 layouts over the weekend...both with buttons!

This one is of Freya when you was just 6 weeks old - look at my wee cutie pie.....oh she is just growing up way too fast!!

Have plans to make an extra special baby welcome card for my sister in law today.....hhhmmmm using up lovely baby stash....I'll be in heaven!!!!!

Well March has arrived! And so has my baby nephew! Finally!

Alinde had a beautiful baby boy on Sunday - look at him - can you not just smell that adorable cute babyness :) His name is Chiem - a traditional dutch name - and mother & baby are both well! I so wish I was there to have a wee cuddle but shall have to wait a few more months!

Another new start yesterday for Addy in his new job as Head Chef at Muckrach Hotel. He is really excited about his new venture and we are delighted that he is back to his usual self....and he gets to come home at night time Yaaaay!

Been a busy girlie making Mothers Day Cards for the wee local shop - and hoping I can get up to the Paper Crafts studio as the deliveries have started to arrive....yaaaaaaay new yummy stash to play with!!!!!