Thank you for all your comments and advice on my little spam problem. I hope it stops soon, but because I moderate my comments I can at least just hit that delete button.
My buddy Mr Random has picked a number...
...Mummylade if you can please EMAIL me with your full postal address and I will ship them out to you.
Many thanks for joining in everyone...
Love Elaine xxx
Sunday 30 October 2011
A Little Bit Of This And A Little Bit Of That!
OK, I know I've been quiet again and I've been off work on holiday! I don't know where the days disappear to.
But I thought I'd pop on here and annoy you all today...I'm good like that.
Question...Is anyone else getting lots of spam comments? Sheesh, I checked my blog one morning and there was a comment awaiting moderation..and 17 spam comments! From folks selling plastic business cards to some that sounded a bit unsavoury. I've had the occasional spam before but not on this scale and they keep on coming. I'm just glad that I chose to moderate my comments so I can weed the buggers out first!
I've also suddenly started to receive "We'll send you one of these free and another to give away as blog candy" emails. I have refused them all - politely of course. If I was offered something I already use then I would willingly accept the occasional freebie to give away as blog candy. But if I don't use it then it's wrong to pimp it on my blog, in my opinion.
Other news...I found a fabulous Dutch shop! I am always a little wary when buying from abroad. I do occasionally buy from the USA but gosh I always get stung with import duties!
And in my new found Dutch shop I saw this....
She is a very special little Tilda. Magnolia have made this stamp only to be sold at my Dutch shop. You notice it's now called MY Dutch shop?
Magnolia are donating 500 euros to the Swedish Cancer Fund, and for every one of these stamps sold 2 euros is donated to the Pink Ribbon Cancer Fund. All in all a very worthy cause and you even get a stamp at the end of it!
This charity is also very close to Astrid's heart (the owner of the Dutch shop) as she has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer herself and is going into hospital on Tuesday.
So if you want to do your bit for charity then you can find the stamp HERE. Yes, she is a little more expensive than your average Tilda, but she's a very special Tilda! They are on pre-order at the moment but are due in the shop early next week. I did my bit and bought some for gifts, plus an extra one for a future candy.
I did do a little extra shopping whilst I was there...Maja and Pion papers..it's a terrible addiction you know.
And I blame a certain lady in Indiana for sending me the link to the shop. You know who you are!
I forgot to add this..there are NO import duties to buy from Holland to the UK!
Next topic...if you've not fallen asleep/gone into a coma/died...
Candy.
I much prefer to give away little candy's than big 'uns. If they are smaller then I can do them more often and spread the love around more. All makes sense to me.
So I have a little one :)
But I thought I'd pop on here and annoy you all today...I'm good like that.
Question...Is anyone else getting lots of spam comments? Sheesh, I checked my blog one morning and there was a comment awaiting moderation..and 17 spam comments! From folks selling plastic business cards to some that sounded a bit unsavoury. I've had the occasional spam before but not on this scale and they keep on coming. I'm just glad that I chose to moderate my comments so I can weed the buggers out first!
I've also suddenly started to receive "We'll send you one of these free and another to give away as blog candy" emails. I have refused them all - politely of course. If I was offered something I already use then I would willingly accept the occasional freebie to give away as blog candy. But if I don't use it then it's wrong to pimp it on my blog, in my opinion.
Other news...I found a fabulous Dutch shop! I am always a little wary when buying from abroad. I do occasionally buy from the USA but gosh I always get stung with import duties!
And in my new found Dutch shop I saw this....
She is a very special little Tilda. Magnolia have made this stamp only to be sold at my Dutch shop. You notice it's now called MY Dutch shop?
Magnolia are donating 500 euros to the Swedish Cancer Fund, and for every one of these stamps sold 2 euros is donated to the Pink Ribbon Cancer Fund. All in all a very worthy cause and you even get a stamp at the end of it!
This charity is also very close to Astrid's heart (the owner of the Dutch shop) as she has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer herself and is going into hospital on Tuesday.
So if you want to do your bit for charity then you can find the stamp HERE. Yes, she is a little more expensive than your average Tilda, but she's a very special Tilda! They are on pre-order at the moment but are due in the shop early next week. I did my bit and bought some for gifts, plus an extra one for a future candy.
I did do a little extra shopping whilst I was there...Maja and Pion papers..it's a terrible addiction you know.
And I blame a certain lady in Indiana for sending me the link to the shop. You know who you are!
I forgot to add this..there are NO import duties to buy from Holland to the UK!
Next topic...if you've not fallen asleep/gone into a coma/died...
Candy.
I much prefer to give away little candy's than big 'uns. If they are smaller then I can do them more often and spread the love around more. All makes sense to me.
So I have a little one :)
Candy consists of:
3 Wishes by Sylvia Zet for SCACD unmounted rubber stamp.
Bildmalarna Mimosa Walk unmounted rubber stamp.
Authentique Uncommon 6x6 paper pad.
It's a quick giveaway and will end later tonight, this way I hope that the people who enter are my followers and the ones who usually bob by rather than those on the look out for a freebie.
I've put a froggy link on, only because it is so much easier and the fairest way for Mr Random to pick a number from those who enter. Usual rules apply..I'm sure my regulars know them already!
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx
Thursday 20 October 2011
Sugar Bowl Challenge - 70
There's a new challenge over on the Sugar Bowl today. We have a fab sketch from the lovely Sweetie Maria Therese and the option is 'Clean and Simple'.
Now this challenge is right up my street as I am very challenged when it comes to using embellishments! I love them and I have nothing but admiration for those card makers who can add a multitude of gorgeous embellies and create a fabulous card jam packed full of detail. I drool over these cards, but I just cannot make them myself. They always end up looking like a right dogs dinner!
This adorable little sweetheart is from the Fairy Glen range of stamps and is called Charlotte. As always she's been watercoloured with a mix of DI's, SU inkers and Nick Bantock inkers. As the sketch was just a single layer I chose this beautiful paper from Pion design. The sentiment was a freebie in a magazine, the flower is a MFT die, and the swirly thing is one of my Spellbinders dies. Her wings have been liberally drowned in glamour dust as is befitting a little fairy.
And that's about it..simples!
The prize for one lucky winner is a choice of any 4 Sugar Nellie stamps, but if there are 100+ entries then the prize will increase to any 6 Sugar Nellie stamps.
For all the details on how to enter please visit the Sugar Bowl blog, where you can also see all the gorgeous cards from the other Sweeties for your inspiration.
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx
Now this challenge is right up my street as I am very challenged when it comes to using embellishments! I love them and I have nothing but admiration for those card makers who can add a multitude of gorgeous embellies and create a fabulous card jam packed full of detail. I drool over these cards, but I just cannot make them myself. They always end up looking like a right dogs dinner!
This adorable little sweetheart is from the Fairy Glen range of stamps and is called Charlotte. As always she's been watercoloured with a mix of DI's, SU inkers and Nick Bantock inkers. As the sketch was just a single layer I chose this beautiful paper from Pion design. The sentiment was a freebie in a magazine, the flower is a MFT die, and the swirly thing is one of my Spellbinders dies. Her wings have been liberally drowned in glamour dust as is befitting a little fairy.
And that's about it..simples!
The prize for one lucky winner is a choice of any 4 Sugar Nellie stamps, but if there are 100+ entries then the prize will increase to any 6 Sugar Nellie stamps.
For all the details on how to enter please visit the Sugar Bowl blog, where you can also see all the gorgeous cards from the other Sweeties for your inspiration.
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx
Monday 17 October 2011
Thank You!
Many thanks for all your comments on yesterdays essay...you are a lovely bunch of friends and it's always nice to hear your feedback and thoughts.
I said it would be a quick candy so without further waffle...
Kelly Schelske...If you could please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I will get your little rubber babies in the mail to you.
My little stamps get posted out to all over the place and this time they are off to Canada. One of the nicest things about blogging is all the friends you make and from all over the globe too. People you would probably not meet without blogging.
OK, I'm off..see you on Thursday with my Sugar Bowl card.
Lots of hugs
Elaine xxx
I said it would be a quick candy so without further waffle...
Kelly Schelske...If you could please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I will get your little rubber babies in the mail to you.
My little stamps get posted out to all over the place and this time they are off to Canada. One of the nicest things about blogging is all the friends you make and from all over the globe too. People you would probably not meet without blogging.
OK, I'm off..see you on Thursday with my Sugar Bowl card.
Lots of hugs
Elaine xxx
Sunday 16 October 2011
In Answer To Your Question...
Candy has closed now..thank you xx
Thank you for all your lovely comments on my Sugar Nellie Fairy Glen hop card...yes, I know that was such a long time ago now! I think these stamps are gorgeous and you must all think so too judging by the amount of viewers I had for the hop. A special thank you to all my regular readers/followers/commenter's for your support on the blog hop, it is much appreciated.
No card to show today...well, I did have two cards on here the other week so you surely can't expect to see any more from me for a while eh?
I get quite a number of emails asking me a variety of questions, so I thought I would answer some of them here..this may get boring so feel free to skip straight to the end!
1. This was a comment and not a question but I will answer it anyway:
"Although I enjoy dropping by your blog I am often disappointed as you don't post many cards".
True..I can't argue with that statement! I often feel disappointed that I don't make and post many cards but I make what I can. In my ideal world I wouldn't have to go to work, I could stay at home and play all day...OK, maybe play after I've done the chores. But until I retire (or win the lottery) this is my life.
2. Would I do a tutorial for colouring with DI's, and any tips for colouring.
Tutorial - Err..no. I just have neither the ability, the know how or the time (but thanks very much for the compliment!) There are plenty of excellent tutorials out there in blogland.
Tips - Use the best quality watercolour paper you can afford and a couple of good quality brushes. My personal opinion is that quality does matter.
I love colouring with Distress inks, but it does take me a long time to colour just one image..anything from 4 to 6 hours is about usual and another reason why I don't post many cards. So in an attempt to speed up the colouring process, I bought some Copics (again) and some Promarkers.
I did try them both out and I prefer the Promarkers, I just couldn't get along with the fat brush end on the Copics. Although I can colour much quicker with the Promarkers I still think I colour much better with DI's. So I had a long hard think about what I really want to do and where I want to go with my blog. I would rather post one card a fortnight coloured with DI's that I'm happy with as opposed to churning out three cards a week just for the sake of posting them here.
3. Why do I not participate on DT's? (I'm sorry to say that I think that's a bit of a daft question.)
I am on the Sugar Bowl challenge DT.
The obvious reason for not being on other DT's is I've not been asked. There is no-one banging down my door and begging me to join their merry band. That said, I've never applied for any DT position. I imagine that when stamp companies or retailers are looking for new DT members they must want bloggers who post cards regularly and have enough time to produce good quality cards/projects to promote the brand. I am just not productive enough.
4. A new blogger asked 'How do you get free goods to give away as candy?'
No idea at all! The candy I offer on my blog is bought and paid for by myself. I am not given anything to offer as candy. There has been one exception when I received some stamps in the mail to make samples with but I had already bought these images for myself. So I asked the lady who sent them me if I should return the stamps to her or could I offer them as candy, which is what I did.
If you've read this far down then you deserve a medal..or some rubber.
I know I've been quiet this past week (again) though some folks might think that's a good thing! I've not had much time to play but I do have a card ready for the Sugar Bowl challenge on Thursday.
I will leave you with this...
I have 3 extra brand new rubber babies that would like to be adopted.
Let them eat cake, Hazel, and Faye & Freddie.
This is a really quick giveaway...aimed at my regular readers and not candy hunters so I will pick a winner tomorrow..just leave me a comment.
Thanks for looking
Love Elaine xxx
Thank you for all your lovely comments on my Sugar Nellie Fairy Glen hop card...yes, I know that was such a long time ago now! I think these stamps are gorgeous and you must all think so too judging by the amount of viewers I had for the hop. A special thank you to all my regular readers/followers/commenter's for your support on the blog hop, it is much appreciated.
No card to show today...well, I did have two cards on here the other week so you surely can't expect to see any more from me for a while eh?
I get quite a number of emails asking me a variety of questions, so I thought I would answer some of them here..this may get boring so feel free to skip straight to the end!
1. This was a comment and not a question but I will answer it anyway:
"Although I enjoy dropping by your blog I am often disappointed as you don't post many cards".
True..I can't argue with that statement! I often feel disappointed that I don't make and post many cards but I make what I can. In my ideal world I wouldn't have to go to work, I could stay at home and play all day...OK, maybe play after I've done the chores. But until I retire (or win the lottery) this is my life.
2. Would I do a tutorial for colouring with DI's, and any tips for colouring.
Tutorial - Err..no. I just have neither the ability, the know how or the time (but thanks very much for the compliment!) There are plenty of excellent tutorials out there in blogland.
Tips - Use the best quality watercolour paper you can afford and a couple of good quality brushes. My personal opinion is that quality does matter.
I love colouring with Distress inks, but it does take me a long time to colour just one image..anything from 4 to 6 hours is about usual and another reason why I don't post many cards. So in an attempt to speed up the colouring process, I bought some Copics (again) and some Promarkers.
I did try them both out and I prefer the Promarkers, I just couldn't get along with the fat brush end on the Copics. Although I can colour much quicker with the Promarkers I still think I colour much better with DI's. So I had a long hard think about what I really want to do and where I want to go with my blog. I would rather post one card a fortnight coloured with DI's that I'm happy with as opposed to churning out three cards a week just for the sake of posting them here.
3. Why do I not participate on DT's? (I'm sorry to say that I think that's a bit of a daft question.)
I am on the Sugar Bowl challenge DT.
The obvious reason for not being on other DT's is I've not been asked. There is no-one banging down my door and begging me to join their merry band. That said, I've never applied for any DT position. I imagine that when stamp companies or retailers are looking for new DT members they must want bloggers who post cards regularly and have enough time to produce good quality cards/projects to promote the brand. I am just not productive enough.
4. A new blogger asked 'How do you get free goods to give away as candy?'
No idea at all! The candy I offer on my blog is bought and paid for by myself. I am not given anything to offer as candy. There has been one exception when I received some stamps in the mail to make samples with but I had already bought these images for myself. So I asked the lady who sent them me if I should return the stamps to her or could I offer them as candy, which is what I did.
If you've read this far down then you deserve a medal..or some rubber.
I know I've been quiet this past week (again) though some folks might think that's a good thing! I've not had much time to play but I do have a card ready for the Sugar Bowl challenge on Thursday.
I will leave you with this...
I have 3 extra brand new rubber babies that would like to be adopted.
Let them eat cake, Hazel, and Faye & Freddie.
This is a really quick giveaway...aimed at my regular readers and not candy hunters so I will pick a winner tomorrow..just leave me a comment.
Thanks for looking
Love Elaine xxx
Saturday 8 October 2011
Sugar Nellie Fairy Glen Blog Hop.
Good morning and welcome to my little part of the Sugar Nellie blog hop.
You should have arrived here from Jane's blog, one of the lovely and talented new members of the DT. But if you've just popped by then you might like to start at the beginning over on the Sugar Nellie blog, you don't want to miss any of these fabulous cards!
There are 11 stamps in the Fairy Glen range, all of which are gorgeous. I keep changing my mind as to which I like the most, I just love them all and can't wait to my inky mitts on the rest of them.
For the hop I was given Rosie to play with...
Now is she sweet or is she sweet? I wanted to colour Rosie with quite pale and delicate shades, and I teamed her up with Melissa Frances 5th Avenue papers from Jill at the Hobby House. These papers are gorgeous, though they didn't photograph very well and look a little insipid here, they are much nicer in real life. As always Rosie has been coloured with DI's and SU inks, and the cardstock for matting is my favourite shade from SU, Baja Breeze.
The sentiment is from Elzybells, sadly no longer trading. The flower was made with a MFT die as was the teeny weeny butterfly - thank you Amanda. The leaf and heart swirl is a Magnolia Doo Hickey, many thanks to Suzie Q, and a little sprinkling of pearls for the finishing touch.
You can now buy all these beautiful rubber babies over at Funky Kits - but be quick as I think they will be a sell out!
OK, that's all from me today and I hope you like my card. The next stop along the hop is Mina and I know you'll be in for a treat. Please don't forget to leave a comment on each of the blogs as there will be candy picked at random from some of the comments left.
There will be a second blog hop tomorrow starting at the same place...the Sugar Nellie blog, and at the same time of 9am BST with a whole host of different and fantastic cards from the DT and the Sweeties.
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx
You should have arrived here from Jane's blog, one of the lovely and talented new members of the DT. But if you've just popped by then you might like to start at the beginning over on the Sugar Nellie blog, you don't want to miss any of these fabulous cards!
There are 11 stamps in the Fairy Glen range, all of which are gorgeous. I keep changing my mind as to which I like the most, I just love them all and can't wait to my inky mitts on the rest of them.
For the hop I was given Rosie to play with...
Now is she sweet or is she sweet? I wanted to colour Rosie with quite pale and delicate shades, and I teamed her up with Melissa Frances 5th Avenue papers from Jill at the Hobby House. These papers are gorgeous, though they didn't photograph very well and look a little insipid here, they are much nicer in real life. As always Rosie has been coloured with DI's and SU inks, and the cardstock for matting is my favourite shade from SU, Baja Breeze.
The sentiment is from Elzybells, sadly no longer trading. The flower was made with a MFT die as was the teeny weeny butterfly - thank you Amanda. The leaf and heart swirl is a Magnolia Doo Hickey, many thanks to Suzie Q, and a little sprinkling of pearls for the finishing touch.
You can now buy all these beautiful rubber babies over at Funky Kits - but be quick as I think they will be a sell out!
OK, that's all from me today and I hope you like my card. The next stop along the hop is Mina and I know you'll be in for a treat. Please don't forget to leave a comment on each of the blogs as there will be candy picked at random from some of the comments left.
There will be a second blog hop tomorrow starting at the same place...the Sugar Nellie blog, and at the same time of 9am BST with a whole host of different and fantastic cards from the DT and the Sweeties.
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx
Friday 7 October 2011
Hal's Birthday Candy Winner
A big thank you to everyone who entered the candy, and a bigger thank you for all your good wishes for the birthday boy. Hal was suitably spoiled (as always).
Mr Random has done his job and picked a winning number...
Congratulations to Christine L...if you could please EMAIL me with your full postal address and your choice of 6 Fairy Glen stamps (when they go on the website).
Tomorrow you will be able to see all 11 of these gorgeous Fairy Glen stamps showcased on the two day blog hop which starts at 9am BST on the Sugar Nellie blog....see you tomorrow then?
Love Elaine xxx
Mr Random has done his job and picked a winning number...
Congratulations to Christine L...if you could please EMAIL me with your full postal address and your choice of 6 Fairy Glen stamps (when they go on the website).
Tomorrow you will be able to see all 11 of these gorgeous Fairy Glen stamps showcased on the two day blog hop which starts at 9am BST on the Sugar Nellie blog....see you tomorrow then?
Love Elaine xxx
Thursday 6 October 2011
Sugar Bowl Challenge ~ 69
Today sees a new challenge over on the Sugar Bowl. It's another fun and fab sketch from (sharp intake of breath) our very own Sugar Mama Gayle.
This gorgeous image I Grant You One Wish is from the Jingle Bells and Tinkle Bells range of stamps and has been coloured with a mixture of DI's and SU inks. The DP - which has nothing at all to do with Christmas - is MME Believe matted onto Kraft card stock. MS punches for the two snowflakes, PTI sentiment, glamour dust for the sparkly bits and a few of my compulsory pearls.
This gorgeous image I Grant You One Wish is from the Jingle Bells and Tinkle Bells range of stamps and has been coloured with a mixture of DI's and SU inks. The DP - which has nothing at all to do with Christmas - is MME Believe matted onto Kraft card stock. MS punches for the two snowflakes, PTI sentiment, glamour dust for the sparkly bits and a few of my compulsory pearls.
I really enjoyed following this sketch.
And photographic inspiration for the theme. For heavens sake..a gingham kitchen ceiling? Who would actually go as far as to have a gingham ceiling hmmm??
The prize for one lucky winner is a choice of any 4 Sugar Nellie stamps, but if there are 100+ entries then the prize will increase to any 6 Sugar Nellie stamps.
For all the details on how to enter please visit the Sugar Bowl blog, where you can also see all the fabulous cards from the other Sweeties for your inspiration.
For all the details on how to enter please visit the Sugar Bowl blog, where you can also see all the fabulous cards from the other Sweeties for your inspiration.
Don't forget that there are still sneak peaks all this week on the Sugar Nellie blog.
These gorgeous stamps, 11 in total, will be available to buy from Funky Kits this coming Saturday!
Ho hum....I shall be forced to buy them all. After all, a girl can't be too rich or have too much rubber :)
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx
I Luvs Ya, Sweetpea x
Yes, I have been a little quiet recently. Just life taking over and keeping me out of my craft room :(
The weather has been glorious this last week, and although I enjoy the sunshine and love the heat, the downside is the first day of sunshine and unseasonal heat means the phones never stop ringing with requests for call outs. When I leave the office the phones are transferred to home so there is no escape... and yes we do get calls at 3am! Of course it is good for business but not so good for my poor hubby who has been late home from work every night, and I've been late home too. We haven't sat down to eat before 9pm, and last night we watched TV in total silence, simply because we were both too tired to even speak.
But I know Autumn will creep back in again and the phones will quieten down a little.
I had to make a quick dash into town one night after work to buy a gift, as I'd forgotten a friends birthday. I don't know whether it's because I get bogged down and preoccupied with work, or because I'm getting old!
Yet there are dates that are firmly lodged in my data banks, never to be forgotten. Some are memorable for good reasons and some are not. It isn't just the date I remember, but the little details, the weather, the sights and the smells. A whiff of a certain perfume or aftershave can suddenly transport me back in time. Songs have the same effect, they can make me smile wistfully recalling happy memories or make my eyes sting with tears.
October 2nd 1994 was a VERY happy day. 12.20am was the time when my world changed forever with the arrival of a sweet and cuddly baby boy. Everything changed in my world. I was never very maternal, and having married a man who already had 3 children I was quite content with my life and had no plans to have any children of my own. On discovering I was 10 weeks pregnant I was very shocked, but surprisingly very happy, and I cannot begin to imagine how empty my life would've been without Hal. He has made me complete (and broke, and grey) and I love him to Mr Moon and back.
Happy Birthday Sweetpea..luvs ya always xxxx
So I need to do a little candy in honour of the birthday boy but first, have you seen this??
Happy Birthday Sweetpea..luvs ya always xxxx
So I need to do a little candy in honour of the birthday boy but first, have you seen this??
Yes!! The sneak peaks will start on Monday over on the Sugar Nellie blog. These stamps are awesome and I love them all!! These little beauties will soon be available to buy from my favourite shop Funky Kits so for Hals birthday how would you like to win your choice of 6 of these stamps?
If you would like to enter then the usual rules apply:
Candy is only open to my existing followers. I will post worldwide but I am not liable for any customs/duties that some countries impose. Candy will close on Friday 7th October at 12 noon, after which Mr Random will pick a winner who can then choose 6 stamps from the Fairy Glen range as soon as they go on the website.
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx
If you would like to enter then the usual rules apply:
Candy is only open to my existing followers. I will post worldwide but I am not liable for any customs/duties that some countries impose. Candy will close on Friday 7th October at 12 noon, after which Mr Random will pick a winner who can then choose 6 stamps from the Fairy Glen range as soon as they go on the website.
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx
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