Seeing Double??

Nope, you're not really seeing double! This was born of necessity.
I don't get much time during the week to make cards, so most of what I do make is done over the weekend.
So last night, we'd had tea and I'd cleaned the kitchen then gone upstairs to have a shower. I'm merrily singing away (badly) when the realisation hit me that I needed an anniversary card for today!
By this time it was almost 8pm, and I don't know about anybody else, but I'm so very slow at colouring that I knew I wouldn't have the time to colour an image and make it into a card.
I searched through my card box to see if I could find anything remotely suitable, but of course there never is!
Then I wondered if maybe any shops would be open so I could buy a card, nope.
Nothing left to do but to move my bum and make one.
Since my last card for the previous weeks Quixotic Challenge was a really quick and easy card to make, I thought I'd do another.

Despite having a small mountain of sentiments, this was the only one that was anywhere near suitable.
I've used the same layout, just for speed really.
It would have been a really quick card if I hadn't made an almighty mess of it right at the end! Tut, tut and Dear dear I said, or words to that effect! And I started it all over again!
Sorry about the rubbish photo, I took it this morning at work before I wrote it and took it downstairs to Matt. A bit of a slushy sentiment, but as this is only their 2nd anniversary I figured I could get away with slushy!
List of Goodies:
Sentiment is another Paper Makeup from Elaine at Quixotic Paperie, DP is Pink Paislee, charms off ebay and flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.
Thanks for looking and for any comments you may leave. I'll be back after my weekend away.
Love Elaine xx

No Cards To Share.

I've nothing to show this week. I have made something but it's top secret until next week!
The bedroom is still ongoing so I'm having a little trouble getting into my craft room as it's full of boxes since we've now emptied our bedroom ready for the fitters to come in next week.

I realised this morning that my blog was a month old yesterday! I can't believe how quickly that first month went by, but on the other hand it feels like I've been doing this for ages, strange?
The candy was a huge success, and I owe a debt of gratitude to my buddies who advertised it on their own blogs and spread the word for me, and a big thank you to everyone that entered.
The best thing to come out of it was all the new blogs I've discovered, and the lovely people I've met. I'm still working through my list of blogs to visit!

We are going away this weekend, provided the house sitter remembers that she's house sitting and feeding the cats! The contents of the wine rack will diminish before we get back home! So I don't know whether I'll get a chance to post anything before we go away.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend, and it's a long weekend if you live in the UK, let's hope the good weather stays around a bit longer.
Love Elaine xx

Quixotic Paperie Challenge

Blimey! I'm back again! At least this time I have something to show. I've not had much time this week to make anything as we're in the process of having our bedroom done. So hubby has been ripping out the old wardrobes and cupboards.
To say that we're in a bit of a mess is an understatement! There's boxes of stuff just about everywhere, but 2 more weeks to go and we should be back to some sort of normality.
There are a few reasons why I started a blog, a fair bit of nagging off certain friends being one! But also, I get stuck in a rut, using the same few layouts and I needed to get out of my comfort zone and try different things.
So when I saw this weeks challenge at Quixotic Paperie I nearly fainted! This is so far out of my comfort zone that I wasn't sure whether or not to even attempt this one.

But now I've made the card, I actually rather like it!
List of Goodies:
DP is the new Basic Grey Cappella, Sentiment stamp is from Paper Makeup, both of which I bought from Elaine at Quixotic Paperie. Flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, little angel charm from Ebay.
Thanks for looking and for any comments you may leave.
Elaine xx

Candy Winners!!

Morning all, I'm back with the Candy winners.
Using Random.org the first number is

Brigadier said...
Hi Elaine,
I wish you every success with your blog and I hope I win this candy.
Brigadier from Austria
21 May 2010 12:34

Congratulations Brigadier!
If you could please leave me a comment on this post stating whether you would like Set A or Set B of the stamps, and which of the papers you would like then I can get them posted off to you asap.
 
Second number picked is

 
Judy's Crafty Moments said...

Now I have blogged about it i am going to make sure I am in with a chance to win it :)
Look at all the blogging world that has discovered you now!!!
Hugs Judy xx
14 May 2010 11:36

Congratulations Judy, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person!
As soon as Brigadier responds with her choice then I will post your winnings off to you.
 
I have another very tiny Candy to give away. No hAnglars in this candy sorry!
I asked for a little favour on Wednesday, and a big thank you to all the ladies who granted my request, it was very much appreciated. I've had a look through all the comments and my son picked a name out of the hat.
 
Suzie Q said...

Hi Gayle,
fantastic card those little flowers are fab and your image beautifully coloured x
Happy Birthday to you enjoy your day x
Suzie Qx
18 May 2010 18:16

If you can drop me an email with your address and I'll pop your parcel in the post.
Thank you everybody who took the time to enter and leave such lovely comments.
P.S. Next time I'll use Mr Linky!!!
Elaine xx

CANDY NOW CLOSED

Hi everyone,
Please note that my hAnglar & stAnglar candy has now closed. Any comments left after this post will not be added into the draw.
A HUGE thank you to everybody that entered, and I wish you all the best of luck.
I will draw the 2 winners using Random.Org as I believe this to be the fairest way and I will be back in the morning to announce the winners.
Elaine xx

hAnglar & stAnglar Blog Candy

                                              Photograph is copyrighted to hAnglar & stAnglar.
Well, I'm back as promised with my first ever blog candy! Being very new to all this I asked for some advice off my more experienced blogging buddies, and taking note of what they said, I shall split the stamps up and pick 2 winners.
SET A will contain:
The 2 sitting figures in the spotty clothes - left hand side top row.
The two smaller sitting figures - right hand corner top row.
The chair.
The branch sprig. A total of 6 stamps.

Set B will contain the remaining stamps:
The 2 remaining sitting figures - middle of the top row.
The 3 standing figures - bottom row.
The 'Springtime' sentiment - under the chair. A total of 6 stamps.
The stamps are brand new and unmounted.

Also, because I have been having a good clearout, I have some papers up for grabs.

MME Ooh La La for him 12 x 12 paper kit, Cosmo Cricket Early Bird 12 x 12 kit,
Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly 6 x 6 pad and Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses 6 x 6 pad.

1st name drawn after the candy has closed will get to choose Set A OR Set B of the stamps, one of the 12 x 12 kits and one of the 6 x 6 pads.
2nd name drawn will receive the remaining stamp set and remaining papers.
In the event that the 1st name drawn doesn't claim the candy, then number 2 will get 1st choice and another name will be picked.
Rules to enter? Do you have to become a follower? Definitely not. I would much rather have people be followers because they choose to do so rather than because they have to in order to win something.
Do you have to post it on your own blog and link it back to me? Again no. I would very much appreciate it if you did spread the word around. Being so new, I'm more than a little scared that no-one will enter!
If you do wish to enter then please leave a comment. If you do not have a blog, then please make sure you check back when the draw has closed or I won't be able to find you!
Draw will close Friday 21st May 2010 at midnight gmt.
Sorry it's been such a long post!
Elaine xx
EDITED TO ADD: I do not wish to upset or offend anybody, but one comment only please. In the interest of fairness, if more than 1 comment per person is left, then the other comments will be removed. I hope you can all understand my reasons for this, I want it to be fair to all.
I will post to any country but please note that I will not be responsible to pay any duties/tax. I will mark the parcel as a gift. Thank you xx

One Card, One Challenge and One Request.

Blimey! I'm back again, and just when you thought it was safe!
I said I'd be back with the birthday card I made for my bestest buddy, although it's not her birthday until tomorrow. Little Miss Naughty has opened it (and probably had a shake and a good squeeze of her presents!) Why is it when I'm trying to make something extra special they always turn out rubbish? This is attempt No 378 at her card! Well.......almost, there might be a slight exaggeration going on there!
I just had to use this image simply because of the sentiment that comes with it, more of that later.
I made an easel card - my favourite- but no matter

how hard I tried I couldn't get a decent photo of it
so you'll just have to take my word for it. I loved the colours of Distress Inks right up until the end when I did her shoes. The red just looked so bright and out of place, so I glittered them up in the hope it would tone them down a bit (But if I was dressing up in my Mammy's clothes I would have picked out the ruby slippers!) I am entering this into this weeks challenge at Quixotic Paperie which is to make your own flowers. A bit of a feebie attempt on my part compared to what some of the other ladies have made!
List of Goodies:
Image is a Mo Manning rubber stamp which comes with a sentiment, from Elaine at Quixotic Paperie, papers are the 6 x 6 pad Cosmo Cricket Early Bird, (my favourite papers ever) also from Elaine, flowers are punched by my own fair hand!
The sentiment says: " today you are YOU that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youER than YOU". And that sums up Gayle perfectly! So a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gayle for tomorrow.
I made a wish just for you, I hope, I pray my wish comes true XXXXX
So my request? If anyone does pop by my blog, could you do me a little favour please? Could you spare a minute to pop by Gayles Blog and wish her a happy birthday. She's been  feeling a little under the weather and I'm sure your comments and good wishes would help to brighten her day.
And of course, without Gayle there would be NO blog candy! I did buy these Hanglar stamps for her birthday, but the little Fiddle Fingered Witch had already bought some, naughty Gayle!
Thanks for looking and for any comments you may leave.
Elaine xx

The Power of Advertising and a Card.

Thought I'd better pop something on today as I've been a little busy lately! In fact, I've been busy moderating comments. I can't believe how many people have entered my little candy! I was thinking I'd maybe get 30 or so comments if I was lucky, and I've got nearly 10 times that amount already! In hindsight I would have put a Mr Linky on! I was going to put all the names in a hat and get my son to pick out 2, but I think Mr Random.Org will have to put in an appearance for the draw!
I want to send out a BIG hearfelt thanks for my blogging buddies who very kindly took the time to post and advertise my candy on their blogs, it's very much appreciated.
Back to card making. I did manage to make a couple of cards over the weekend, and I'll post the other one
later in the week, as it's for someones birthday and I know she hasn't received it yet.

I'm not sure if I like the colours on this card, look a bit weird to me!
List of Goodies:
The image stamp is of course a Manga from
Sugar Nellie, DP is MME Quite Contrary (Mary, Mary) from Jill at The Hobby House, roses are from
Wild Orchid Crafts, MS trellis punch. She's coloured with DI's.
Thanks for looking and for any comments you may leave.
Elaine xx

Just a bit of news.

Sorry, no card from me today. I've been rushing around like a headless chicken!
But a few snippets of news instead. Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who left me such lovely comments on my last card, and those of you who laughed at me for getting in bother! You all made me laugh out loud, which stopped me from sulking about getting in trouble so soon. Serves me right for trying to run before I can walk. So that's my "entering challenges" phase finished I think!

Next I would like to thank the lovely Poppet for this award. Poppet always leaves me the loveliest comments, and has made me feel very welcome in the blogging community. If you've a free minute please pop over to her blog and say hello.
I am supposed to pass this on to 12 other people, but since I don't know many people yet, and most of those I do know already have this award, then I shall sleep on this for a night or two.
Lastly, if you're still with me? I shall be back later in the week with a little Candy! I have in my possession a set of stamps, bought for my bestest blogging buddies birfday. I seriously underestimated the Supernatural Psychic Abilities of this woman! Little fiddle fingered witch had already ordered them! And since - shock horror - I don't actually like them then I thought I would offer them up as candy. Hmmmm, wonder if anyone can work out what stamps they are? Want a clue? They've come all the way from Sweden. Fingers crossed someone wants them and enters!
I shall be back soon with the candy post, can anyone tell me how to add a Mr Winky,(yes, I know it's Mr Linky) just in case there's more than 10 entries?? I know at least 3 of my followers have bought them already!
Elaine xx

A Spoon Full Of Sugar...

...helps the medicine go down, medicine go down, medicine go down. I've been humming that all afternoon!
I made this card for my sil, who's birthday is tomorrow.

I thought I would also enter this card into this weeks challenge at A Spoonful Of Sugar. The lovely Jacqui set this challenge ( Jacqui has a fab tutorial on her blog for painting with Distress Inks) and the theme is Furry Friends.
The sketch I followed was by Claudia (Pretty Pressings).
List of goodies:
Image is a Puddle Jumpers stamp from Bunny Zoes, papers are Basic Grey Wisteria, MS border punch, flowers are Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts, pearls are from The Hobby House.
She's been coloured with DI's as always!
Thanks for looking and for any comments you may leave.
Elaine xx

Shy Emmylou

I shall be very glad when this week is over, so thank goodness that it's Friday tomorrow! It's been one thing after another.
I have a lot of birthdays this month, so I'm trying my best to get on top of my card making. Not quite sure whether I'll manage to make all the cards I need but I'll certainly try!

This was a very quickly put together card. I tried paper piecing for the first time and was quite pleased with how it turned out.
I wanted to put those teeny weeny buttons on her dungarees but I couldn't find where I'd put them, so I stuck pearls on instead. Of course I have now found the buttons - typically. And no the pearls won't budge, so looks like I'm stuck with them.
List of goodies: Stamp is one of Kraftin' Kimmies available from Elaine at Quixotic Paperie, DP is BoBunny Kitchen Spice from The Hobby House and flowers are Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts. She's been coloured with the usual DI's.
Thanks for looking and for any comments you may leave. 
Elaine xx

Sugar Bowl Challenge

This will be the first real challenge I've entered and it's for the Sugar Bowl which is a sketch plus the added extra of using punches. I had to rotate the sketch otherwise my image wouldn't fit, and believe me I HAD TO USE THIS STAMP!!
This stamp - along with the other 5 new Mangas - was sent to me by my 'Sweet' Scottish Sister! Thank you, thank you, thank you Sis, you're the best, love ya loads XXX.
For the punches bit I used the MS valentine lace and arch lattice and the flower is a Woodware and Nellie Snellen punch. Think that covers the challenge.
List of goodies:
Image stamp Tiny Tiddler from Funky Kits, sentiment stamp from a Just Rite set, DP is BoBunny Jazmyne. She's coloured with DI's, and the water is nicely glittered, pity my photo taking skills are rubbish and you can't see the sparkle!
Thanks for looking and any comments you may leave.
Elaine xx

Sweet Madelynn

I said that posting every day would never last, and I was right. But in my defense I have got visitors staying at the moment, and it seems somewhat rude to be disappearing into my craft room for hours on end (once I get in there, I lose all track of time and before you know it 4 hours have whizzed by!)
Back to the card, I made this for no particular reason and with no particular person/event in mind, just because the poor stamp was still un-inked.
List of goodies:
Main image is Madelynn from the Twinkle Tots range by TGF from Elaine at Quixotic Paperie, sentiment is Stampin' Up, papers are a mix of the Pennyroyale collection and Country Grove both by Kaiser from The Hobby House.
Thank you for looking and for any comments you might leave.
Elaine xx